Page 26 of Unsaid Things

He hadn’t always been that way. When they were kids, he’d taken care of her, made her lunches, helped her with her homework. But he’d gotten angrier as he’d gotten older, resentful of being responsible for her and their mom.

When he didn’t answer, she huffed out a breath, crossing her arms. “Fine. Don’t answer.” Turning back to her mom, she looked her over again. “Do you really have enough food? I can go get you something if you need. You look skinnier than normal.”

Her mom shook her head. “I’m fine, Abby. I just haven’t been that hungry lately.”

“Aaron, you need to make sure she eats something.”

“Abby,” her mom’s voice was sharp, “I’m not a child. I can feed myself. Aaron doesn’t need to spoon-feed me like a baby.”

Defeated, Abby shook her head. “Fine. Okay. Since I’m clearly not needed, I’ll go. I’ll come check on you again in a few days.” She went to her mom and gave her a gentle hug, which her mom returned, her stick-thin arms barely pressing into Abby’s shoulders.

With a dark look at her brother, who still stood smirking in the hallway, one shoulder leaning against the wall, Abby left, locking the door behind her. Megan and Chris stood in the yard, the mix of grass and weeds covered in frost and crunching under their feet.

It was Megan who spoke first. “Is your mom okay? Did you find out why Aaron’s here?”

“Yeah, Mom’s fine. Skinny, but that’s not unusual. She says she’s okay, though. I’m worried she’s not eating enough, but there’s nothing I can do about it.” Abby shook her head, her eyebrows wrinkling in distress, and she took the two steps down to the grass, her arms crossed over herself. “I don’t know what the deal is with Aaron. He still won’t tell me why he’s here.” She glanced back toward the house. “C’mon. Let’s go. We can talk more in the car.”

Megan nodded, and hooked her arm with Abby’s to walk to the car. Chris stared at the house a moment longer before coming up behind them. Once they were back on the main roads Abby told them about her conversation with Aaron and her mom.

She wished Lance were here. Even if he couldn’t actually help with anything, he’d at least make her feel better about it. And help her work out what to do about her brother and his sudden reappearance in everyone’s life.

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