Noah

The house is crowded. Voices ring through the interior, and the aroma of food wafts through the halls. Once a month, my roommates throw a dinner party, which they have dubbed Family Day.

“You okay, Noah?” Madison peers into my room and checks on me.

“Yeah, just dandy.” That couldn’t have come out any flatter.

“I know you don’t have any family here, but that doesn’t mean you have to hide away. This is your home, too, so get your butt up, and come hang out with everyone.”

I’m being a brat. I’m usually better than this, but sometimes, my lack of ties is just hard. Despite not wanting them to, pity parties can get the better of any of us.

“I’ll think about it, Madison. For now, I’m pretty comfortable where I am.”

She nods and closes my door to give me privacy.

I try not to be jealous of others or dwell on the negative, but I have to admit, I’ve been dreading today. I don’t even know the meaning of family and can’t remember a time when I actually had one. The closest thing to parents I had were the people who ran Golden Heights. My siblings would be the other kids who were abandoned to the place.

This morning, I helped to cook, and I hung around long enough to meet Benson’s and Madison’s parents, but since then, I’ve been hiding out in my room, sitting on my bed, holding the unopened letter from my mom. My fingers have traced the edges of the envelope so many times that I’ve given myself paper cuts on the tips. The light weight of the letter somehow sits heavy in my hands. Frustrated, I set it on my bed, sigh, and stand. I have a long day, and the written words inside will be there to taunt me some more when I get back from the bathroom.

I push open the bathroom door and freeze, jaw falling open in shock. Madison’s mom is in the bathtub. There is a rubber band tied around her upper arm, and she’s slapping her forearm to try to pull a vein up.

“Oh, sorry!” I trip over my feet as I move backward.

“Keep your mouth shut about this to Madison. You hear me? I don’t need any lectures from Queen Bitch,” the woman barks the demands out from the tub.

“You got it.” Quickly, I back out of the room and slam the door.

As I retreat, Madison is headed in my direction.

“Is my mom in there?” she asks in a worried tone.

“Um, yeah. She should be right out.”

What else could I say? I know exactly what I saw, but how to even begin to explain it to Madison is beyond me. She’s my friend, and she deserves the truth. Instead, I flee to my bedroom, turning just in time to see her reach for the doorknob of the bathroom I just left.

“Oh, and, Noah, you have visitors outside on the porch,” she adds.

“Visitors? What vis—” The door closes with Madison now on the other side.

Who the heck is here for me?

Slowly, I move out to the front of the house, anxious about what I’ll find but also anxious about what Madison is now finding out. When I get there, I can’t help the purely happy smile that takes over my features.

Brazen and Sunday.

“What are you guys doing here?” I ask them.

Sunday is wearing way more clothing than could ever be comfortable in the Florida heat. Long sleeves cover her arms, and boot-cut denim jeans hide her legs. A black ball cap is pulled low over her eyes. The heavy layer of makeup does a good job of concealing her exposed skin, but I’ve already seen the bruises. I know what her foundation is hiding.

Brazen speaks up to answer my question about their attendance, “I saw Benson the other day when I was at the site. He might have mentioned today in passing. Plus, Sunday and Madison talk, like, three hundred times a day.”

Across the room, Benson’s nervous tic is worse than ever as he sits sandwiched between his parents. When I look his way, he gives me a wave and a tight smile. I’ll have to remember to thank that boy. Maybe I can save him from his parents later for a brief reprieve.

“Are you two hungry? We made enough for an army.”

“I can always eat. Point me in the direction of that delicious smell.” Brazen dramatically rubs his stomach and gives me a wink.

“This way.”

On a day about family, these two new, important people follow me over to the dining room. Brazen makes himself a plate, which is filled high enough to feed five of me. Sunday nibbles on finger food off a napkin and winces as she chews. My stomach growls, and I notice my hunger for the first time today.

“Really, guys, thanks for coming.” I’m grateful I don’t have to enjoy the food I helped prepare alone in my room.

I hold on to my own plate as Brazen leans down to give me a quick kiss. There is a hint of macaroni salad on his lips. The side dish has never been so delicious as it is when mixed with Brazen.

“Don’t mention it, babe. We’re really happy to be here with you.” Brazen pulls back and returns to his food.

“Yeah, I have a listing in the area anyway,” Sunday adds, playing it cool.

A crash sounds around the corner, and while Sunday jumps, Brazen jolts into action, setting his plate down and rushing toward the noise. I follow behind. Madison’s mom is lying on the floor with her own daughter attempting and failing to hold her up. The woman on the floor groans, but it is more like a sound of pleasure than pain. Madison looks up at Brazen, mortified.

“I have this, Maddy,” he tells my roommate.

Madison stands, and Brazen swoops in.

“I can’t believe she did this here. She knows she isn’t allowed to use in my home.” Madison sounds panicked as she looks to the man holding up her mother.

“I’ll take her back to your bedroom, so she can sober up there.”

Is this a regular occurrence? There is disappointment surrounding the scene but not really as much surprise as I would think there would be.

Madison nods. “Thank you.”

After her words, he disappears down the hallway as Madison frowns, watching them.

“It’ll be okay, Maddy.” Sunday offers words of comfort.

The house quakes as the front door opens and slams shut. Angry heels click and clack our way. Sunday recoils, as if she already knows what’s about to come, and out of instinct, I put myself between her and whoever is headed our way.

“Isn’t this nice, Madison? You have her here but not your own sister. Are you just trying to do everything you can to betray me?” The girl who just barreled in is a shapelier version of Madison, wearing a lot more makeup and perfume than anyone should.

“Stephanie, don’t do this. Don’t give Maddy a hard time. I’ll go. There is enough going on,” Sunday speaks up, but it only works to further anger the girl.

“Save it, Sunday, and don’t think you’re fooling anyone with all that makeup. Why are you still desperately seeing Matt? Why can’t you just leave him alone? He’s happy with me!”

Things become clear. Sunday’s long history with Madison’s sister and the animosity I’ve heard about between the two family members. Stephanie, Madison’s sister, is dating Matt, Sunday’s abuser.

Sunday pulls the brim of her hat lower after the mention of what’s under her makeup. “You don’t really believe that garbage, do you? Matt will never be happy with anyone. The sooner you realize that, the better. And, no matter how much money he has, you’ll never be happy either. You’ll be scared and in danger for as long as you stay with him. Please, trust me.” She gestures to her obvious abrasions.

Stephanie just sneers. “You’re wrong because I can give him children. I won’t lose the one thing he cares about most. Just sign the damn papers, so he and I can move on.”

Sunday steps back, as if she were just literally struck instead of figuratively with hurtful words. Before I know what I’m doing, my feet move. My open hand swings. The sting vibrates up my hand.

Holy. Crap.

I just hit someone for the first time ever in my life.

“That’s enough,” I speak up.

Sunday has been through enough, and clearly, someone needs to slap some damn sense into the girl in front of me. Okay, that is a poor choice of mental commentary, but whatever.

“You bitch!” Stephanie holds her hand to her reddened cheek and storms my way.

A knot of fear twists in the pit of my stomach.

“Stephanie!” Madison’s voice sounds like I’ve never heard it before. “You weren’t invited. I’m really not even sure why you’re here.” Madison grabs on to Stephanie’s shoulder before she can reach me. “I won’t have you trashing Sunday or going after Noah, especially since you have no idea what the hell you’re talking about. You need to leave.”

“I came here to find Mom. Is she unavailable to me just because I’m not invited to your little Family Day?” Stephanie spins on Madison and knocks her hand from touching her.

“If you needed Mom, you could have called her. If she doesn’t pick up, then I guess you need to just deal with it. Now, go, Steph.” Madison begins dragging her sister toward the door.

Stephanie glares at Sunday as she is dragged away.

Yelling follows in their wake.

“Are you okay?”

There is so much hurt on Sunday’s face. How much can one person handle? An abusive ex who won’t sign the papers to end their marriage, who also has a crazy current girlfriend?

Sunday looks down at the floor. “Noah, I’m sorry, but once the coast is clear, I’m going to call it a day. We had good intentions coming here, but I’m afraid maybe we’ve made your day worse,” Sunday says with deep sadness in her voice.

I wrap her in my arms, and she tenses for a brief moment before she relaxes and returns the gesture.

“Thank you for coming. No matter the outcome of today, your kind gesture means more to me than any altercation with a bratty girl. You made nothing worse for me. Take care of yourself.”

“Check on Brazen for me once I go. He won’t be happy when he hears Stephanie showed.”

“I will.”

I nod, and she cracks a tight smile.

Benson steps into the hall as Sunday walks away.

“Everything okay?” he asks.

“Madison’s family caused some drama. Her sister showed up,” I answer, suddenly not so blue about being without family of my own today.

“Gotcha.” He gives me a tight smile as his eyes flick to the door Stephanie stormed out of a few minutes ago.

“Hey, thanks for tipping Brazen off about this weekend.”

“That man is a sight to be seen. I did it as much for you as I did for me.”

I can’t argue with that.

“Look but don’t touch, Benson.”

That earns me a smile, which I think I’ve only ever seen him do once.

“Where is Brazen anyway?”

“He’s in Madison’s room, taking care of her mom. Do you want to tell me what that look was all about when I mentioned Madison’s sister?”

“Let’s go find your man. What you’re asking isn’t some big secret, but I think you should be talking to him and not me about it.” Benson takes my hand, and we head toward Madison’s room.

Madison’s mother lies slumped on the floor with her head bobbing, and Brazen stands, watching her intently while still unaware of our presence.

“Can I do anything?”

When Brazen hears my voice, he leaves the woman behind and comes to my side. His warmth fills me as he takes my hand, and our fingers interlock.

“No, she just needs to sleep it off. Where’s Sunday?”

“She had to leave.” Subconsciously, my vision goes to the floor, not wanting to tell him about our uninvited visitor.

“I should get back to my parents,” Benson says, already heading out of the room.

“Noah, what ran Sunday off?” he says it like he already knows.

“Um, Madison’s sister showed up.”

“Great.” His fingers rub his temples. “Was it bad? Is she gone?”

“Well, it wasn’t exactly rainbows and sunshine. I think it was pretty much downhill after I slapped her.” I don’t know what Stephanie is capable of, but Sunday doesn’t need any more added bruises.

He grabs my hands and examines my palms. “You?” He’s hiding a smile. “You hit her?”

“Yeah, well, she had it coming.”

His smirk is wicked. “You should have come and gotten me.” He manages a sterner face.

“I’m tougher than I look.” I puff my chest out.

“Yeah? Take a walk with me, tough girl?” Brazen takes my hand, and his thumb rubs against my knuckles.

“Of course.”

We leave Madison’s mother to rest and head outside. Instantly, the heat amplifies under the direct sunlight while we walk down the sidewalk.

“Well, family events are never dull. I guess the same can be said for this gathering.”

My mind is elsewhere. I should be worried about Madison and her mom and Sunday, but as Brazen speaks, the only thing on my mind is the element of this day that everyone, except me, seems to already know.

Brazen stops walking. “What? What is it?”

“I don’t want to seem crazy. You don’t owe me anything, Brazen. We’re just getting to know each other. I can’t demand answers or explanations.” My insecurities are higher than normal when I admit this truth.

“Let’s get something straight, Noah. This thing between us is new, and, yeah, we’re still getting to know each other, but it’s anything but casual. I always want you to feel one hundred percent secure in what’s going on between us and comfortable to ask me anything.”

“Do you mean that? All of it?” My pulse beats at double the speed as his tender words wrap around my heart.

“I mean it. All of it. Every word.”

Every part of me knows he’s being honest, and I relax a bit. Brazen always knows exactly how to ease my doubts and settle my uncertainties.

“Okay.”

“So? What’s bothering you?” He gets to the point.

“What am I missing about today? I just have this odd feeling there is something I don’t know that everyone else seems to.”

“There is something.” Brazen leads us over to a tree between my backyard and his construction site. In the shade, under the branches, we sit in the grass, and I get comfortable against him, ready to hear whatever backstory goes along with today. “Stephanie, Madison’s sister, is my ex-girlfriend. She was always very motivated by money, and after I finally realized that, I ended things between us.”

This was definitely the hidden gem I was sensing.

“Your ex-girlfriend is dating Sunday’s husband?”

Brazen sighs and runs his fingers through my hair. The motion is relaxing during a taut conversation. Whether he knows it or not, this man naturally alleviates my burdens, and everything about his being calms me.

“Yeah, honestly, I think she started her research and conquest of him way before she and I broke up. I think she knew that she and I wouldn’t work out, so at some point, she began using me to learn more about Matt.”

“That’s awful!”

“It’s hard for me to really be mad at her about it. I mean, the prize for her efforts was Matt, and we’ve both seen what kind of man he is. No woman deserves what Sunday’s been through. Not even Stephanie.”

He’s right about that.

“Why would she do this? Why would she want him?” I ask.

“Maddy and Steph both grew up dirt poor with a junkie for a mother. While Madison has worked hard to give herself a stable future, Stephanie will do anything she can to have financial security without having to work too hard. She seems to see Matt as her savior and won’t fault him for anything he does.”

“Money can’t be worth all that.” Nothing could be worth the bruises Sunday suffered.

“It’s not. Stephanie just hasn’t figured that out yet. Her focus is too set on what she wants. Sadly, she probably won’t figure it out until it’s too late.”

“That’s awful.” There is true compassion within me for Brazen’s ex. “But, wait, I don’t get it. If Matt is with Stephanie, why is he still hung up on Sunday?”

“I don’t know the answer to that. She’s the one who got away? Matt shows up, uninvited, in Sunday’s life, but so does Steph. The amount of things Sun has been through with those two is overwhelming. Once Steph gets wind of any of Matt’s visits to Sunday, there is almost always a visit from Stephanie within the next few days.”

“How bad is it with her?”

“She screams, yells, and causes a scene outside Sunday’s house. She’s mostly just hot air, but she’s broken windows and destroyed other parts of her property. The both of them make Sunday’s life hell. It’s an unhealthy circle of drama.”

“Sunday doesn’t need any of that.”

I lean back into Brazen, and the world stills around us. Even with so much going on, so much disheartening conversation, we can find comfort in one another. I started off this day dreading the activities that were going on outside my bedroom and the words hidden inside that envelope, but knowing the sense of security I feel with Brazen, I finally feel ready to face the words written to me by my mother.

“Wait here for me? There’s something I need to get,” I ask Brazen, already standing.

“Of course,” he answers.

My legs feel heavy as I walk the distance back to the house.

Will I find truth in that letter or only more pain?