Page 21 of Malachi
I shuffled out of the bedroom as quietly as possible, taking a moment for my morning ritual. A glance in the mirror showed that my hair was a mess. I looked shaggy and haggard. More so than usual, even. Grabbing my phone from the bedside table, I left my sleeping wife be, and made my way downstairs for some much needed coffee.
As the coffee brewed, the scent waking me fully, I called my brother. I needed some guidance. My finger hovered over Levi’s number, wanting to confide in my big brother in a time when I needed him most. But Levi was no longer the big brother I thought he was.
“Hey, Kai,” Zeke answered on the first ring.
“Hey, wasn’t sure I’d get you this early,” I responded, glancing at the clock. It was barely six in the morning. I winced internally at my thoughtlessness, calling at such an early hour.
“Talia has been having pretty bad morning sickness, so don’t worry about it. I was up,” he chuckled quietly.
“Oh shit, man. I’m an ass. How is Talia? How’s my little niece or nephew to be?” I asked, leaning against the counter as I willed the coffee to brew faster.
“Both are doing well, I’m pleased to say. Though I think if Talia had it her way, the little bean would stop making her throw up everything and anything she eats,” he answered. Even with as awful as that sounded, I could honestly say I had never heard my brother sound so happy.
“I’m happy for you both. You know that, right?”
“You okay, Kai?” he asked, his tone sounding concerned.
“Yeah, why?”
“Well, it’s not really like you to be so, well, I don’t know — invested, I guess,” he answered.
“I’m an asshole, Zeke, not an idiot. Of course I’m interested. That’s my sister and my soon to be niblet growing inside of her,” I laughed.
“Niblet? What the fuck is a niblet?” he questioned.
“I dunno what else to call it. We don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl, not that it really matters. Niblet was the first thing that came to mind. Seems to fit, if you ask me.” I felt a lightness, thinking of the little person who would soon be a part of our tightly knit brotherhood.
“Well, I suppose Niblet it is, then. Not sure how Talia is going to feel about our unborn child being called such nonsense, but you do you, Kai. So, what has you calling at this ungodly hour?”
“I don’t really know,” I answered with a heavily burdened sigh.
“Well, if that isn’t the sound of a newly married Temple brother, I don’t know what is,” he laughed at my discomfort.
“Piss off. This shit is just…” I trailed off with a huff of annoyance.
“Hard. This shit is hard. Trust me, I know. But it was the same for each of us. Don’t worry, you’re not special,” he teased.
“I’m not saying I’m special. I’m saying that… that this… Fuck!” I growled. The light beep of the coffee maker had me praising all the gods known to man. I needed caffeine like I needed oxygen this morning.
“It’s hard as hell. I know. I’m sorry for teasing. I take it things aren’t getting any easier with Eden?” he asked, the sound of slurping ringing through the phone. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who needed caffeine to start the day.
“It’s just complicated. She’s… different,” I stammered out. I took a sip of my own, groaning in pure pleasure at the bitter taste as it hit my tongue.
“Please tell me you’re not getting head or something over here,” Zeke chuckled.
“No, something far better than your average blowie, my brother,” I groaned, taking another sip.
“Coffee does have a particular pleasure to it, I suppose,” he chuckled. “So, what is your current issue with Eden? Or is it just marriage in general you have an issue with?”
“Fair point, but no. It’s Eden. I just don’t know how I’m supposed to manage getting through this. I’m trying my hardest, but she’s just… so…” I struggled to find the words.
“So Zion?” Zeke offered, but I shook my head, not that he could see it.
“No, quite the opposite. She’s like a goddamn fairy!” I spat out, exasperated.
“A fairy? You’ve got to be joking. What, does she have wings and flit about in your garden?” he teased.
“No to the wings, but the flitting part is certainly true. No, she’s this nature thing that doesn’t make sense to me. She’s just…” Jesus Christ, why couldn’t I finish a fucking sentence? I gulped at my coffee, wincing as the hot liquid burned my throat, but needing the caffeine more than I needed taste buds.
