Page 15 of Some Things Never Change

“I hope you find your home in Santa Mariana then, even if it’s not my home.” Andy’s voice was soft and gentle, soothing me.

I smiled despite not being able to glance at him. “I hope so, too.”

Chapter

Six

For the last four hours, Andy and I reminisced back to our earlier years together. One great thing about having a close childhood friend is the memories we shared with one another. The two of us often laughed until our stomachs ached, with tears prickling the corners of our eyes. Other times, the conversation would turn heated because we remembered past events and situations differently than one another. It was fun banter and kept me awake.

“You and Anthony used to fight all the time over the stupidest things,” I reminded Andy with a huge grin. “I swear, Jonathan and I would just watch you both brawl with each other from the corner of the room because we didn’t want to accidentally get into the mix.”

Andy chuckled. “You make it sound like we were on WWE. It wasn’t even that bad! We fought, but we made up quickly.”

“Only after someone’s nose bled!”

“Or if there’s a cut somewhere from a punch or kick.”

“Exactly, and you’re trying to convince me you two were angels? Neither of you were! I grew up with you, Andrew Kou Hughes. Have you ever considered how many nose bleeds I had to nurse to remember it all this well?”

“Your mom sure thinks we are. Why do you think she always spoiled us?”

“Her vision of you two is skewed. I can’t believe I was always jealous of you two because of that, too.”

“Jealous? You’re practically Little Miss Goody Two-Shoes over here, and you’re jealous just because your mom used to give us a crisp hundred-dollar bill for our straight As?”

I let out a half laugh, half scoff in disbelief. “Excuse me? Goody two-shoes? I’m not a goody two-shoes. If you asked my mom how I was as a kid, she’d pull out a long receipt of all the bad things I did, too.”

“Well, that’s your mom. Dad would say otherwise. Let me remind you, again, how you’re his favorite.”

I could hear the smirk in his voice, and I shook my head. Whenever he talked about his parents to me, he would always refer to them as if they were my parents as well, despite never really treating me like a sister.

“I am, but so is Anthony.” I laughed evilly as Andy scoffed.

“That’s a low blow, Tink.”

“You realize that you’re a lot of people’s favorite kid, right?”

“Like who?”

“First of all, you’re both our moms’ favorite. Then, you’re also your grandma’s favorite. The third person would be my uncle. Even though he has a soft spot for both you and Anthony, he still counts! You both were also my dad’s favorites, too.”

“We definitely were. I miss him a lot, Tink.”

“Me too. I miss him, too.”

“It’s been what? Almost two decades since he’s been gone?”

“Yup, twenty years this year.”

Andy let out a long sigh. “I can’t believe it’s already been twenty years. We were just kids when he left.”

As he spoke, I felt a sudden pang of sadness. It was true. Time had passed too quickly, and I couldn't believe that my father had been gone for this long already. Sometimes, when I pause for a moment, it felt like it had only been yesterday that he was still with us. Other times, it felt like a lifetime ago. Today was one of those days when it felt as if it had all just been yesterday.

A thoughtful silence hung over us for a moment.

“What about you? Between Anthony and I, who’s your favorite?”

I snorted without hesitation. “You.”

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