Page 13 of Quarantined
CHAPTER 3
October 10th, 2013
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Raven
I have been cleaning Tessa's room for hours now. The room is a disgusting mess with trash, litter, and clothing everywhere.
It's been a little over a year since I moved in with the Sinclairs. Shortly after I moved in, dad announced that he was going back to Africa to work for Doctors Without Borders. He didn't make eye contact with me when he broke the news.
Before dad accepted the assignment, he had a long conversation with Milo. Dad made Milo swear to look out for me, the same way he did for Reid and Mia. He also asked Milo's parents, Reese and Tessa Sinclair, to become my legal guardians.
A little while after dad left, Uncle Reese also got a job offer. He got an offer as a visiting specialist at a hospital in the Cayman Islands. The pay would be significantly more, and he would work half as many hours. It was too good of an opportunity to pass up.
Uncle Reese spoke to Milo before making any decisions. In the end, it was decided that Uncle Reese would take the position, and Milo would become my legal guardian, since he was eighteen. Uncle Reese loves me like I am his own daughter, and he knows it's useless to have Tessa be my sole guardian.
So here we are. Dad is away, working for Doctors Without Borders. Uncle Reese is also away, working at Grand Cayman as a visiting physician.
As always, Milo is the only one present. He is currently going to Columbia University, and he’s officially my legal guardian. Tessa is also here, but she’s not really present, which means Milo is unofficially the legal guardians for Reid and Mia as well.
Nonetheless, Uncle Reese wouldn't allow Milo to miss out on any more college experiences than he needs to. So Milo stays on campus three days a week. And he stays with us for the other four days. The nanny stays here the three days that Milo is gone or anytime Milo is indisposed.
It was hell on earth, convincing Mia to let the nanny stay for three days a week. In the end, I think she has a soft spot for me. She gave in once I used all of my persuasive skill sets.
Personally, I think Uncle Reese was happy to have an escape away from his wife. Looking at this room, I can't exactly blame him. It's depressing. Tessa has become worse than before, staying in bed for days on end.
This makes me feel even more guilty for forcing the responsibilities of being my guardian onto Milo. He already has Mia and Reid to worry about. Plus, attending Columbia is not easy. He deserves the chance to enjoy his time in college. I know, I have a happy home and life at Milo's expense. So I try to help as much as I can.
I whip my head towards the door, as I hear it creak. Reid's face pops in. Tessa is lying on the bed, facing away from him.
"How is it going in here?"
"Same old," I shrug.
The room looks a lot better, after I have been cleaning it all morning. I try not to divulge about how bad it actually gets in Tessa's room. I know Reid gets irritated at Tessa. And the last thing I want is to create conflict in the Sinclair home.
Milo, Mia and Reid Sinclair have become my constants in the last few years. And I need them to be in harmony, for my own sanity.
I share a unique connection with each of them, but I love each of them differently.And I love all of them, more than I love myself.
My connection to Reid is a spiritual one. I can't explain it. He is my best friend but he is also my soulmate. Not the romantic kind, but our souls are tethered to each other.
Growing up, our friends, kids in school, even our parents wondered if there was a romantic connection. The answer is simplyNo.
But, we were born on the same day, the same year, to parents who were also inseparable best friends. Our connection is cosmic, not romantic.
When my mom left, Reid begged his dad to take him to Boston. When his dad couldn't get out of work, he convinced Milo to let him take the Amtrak alone.
I didn't even have to ask.
Similarly, when Reid started to realize that Tessa is fucked in the head, he never had to explain himself to me. I could feel his mood shift, and I'd just lean against him to telepathically communicate,Do you want me here to do you want to be alone?
He'd give me telepathic responses back. I know when he wants me to comfort him, and when he wants to be left alone. Sometimes silent tears would seep out of him, and I'd just hold him. No words ever needed to be exchanged between us.
That's how connected our souls are. It's much more powerful than romantic love. Romantic love is fleeting but Reid will always be mine. The love we have for each other is unparalleled. I know I can live without my mother or my father. But I cannot live a happy life without Reid in it. Without him, I'd be missing half my soul.
Reid is staring at me, our telepathic connection kicking in. He is silently asking,Do you think she is going to get up today?
