Chapter Three

· zach ·

September 1996

School was boring, mostly because Evan was at home with a cold. I had to deal with an English quiz while he got an extra day to complete it. What a tool. At least my visit to the park across the street from our house was an interesting one today. Hilary asked me to take her after I picked her up from school. We usually walked together, and she always asked. Evan and I generally obliged, but today, it was just me. What made it interesting was that Nelly Larkin was sitting on one of the tables by herself. She invited me to sit with her as she did her Biology homework.

Hilary played with some other kids on the jungle gym, and laughter and screams filled the air. I stared at Nelly’s light brown hair as it draped her shoulders. She was cute, and she was a cheerleader. I told her about my tryouts for the football team next year.

“You think you’ll make the cut?” she asked, her green eyes speculating as she scanned my thin physique.

“I dunno. I really like basketball more.”

A cry grabbed our attention, and I noticed Hilary and a boy arguing over something in his hand. I ignored it and moved my eyes back to Nelly. “So, are you going to the Homecoming dance?”

She stared at Hilary as more shouting ensued. “That’s Evan’s sister, right?”

I glanced ahead again and saw some girls laughing at Hilary as a boy tugged on her braid and they continued to argue. “Yeah.”

“Aren’t you staying at his house?” she asked.

“Yeah, my parents moved.” Fuck them. They gave a shitload of money to Evan’s mom to help out with whatever I needed, but they didn’t care about me. It had been months since the Matthews family took me in, and my real family never even called to check on me. Not that they cared when I lived with them either. I was usually left on my own, wandering our big house. I found myself either in front of the television or reading the books my dad had in his office. Once he caught me reading his old copy of The Hobbit and had yelled at me not to touch his books. I did anyway, and even stole his rare edition of Fellowship of the Ring. It wasn’t like he was ever home to notice.

Three girls had started chanting something about four eyes to Hilary, but I ignored it as I stared at Nelly. “So, you wanna go?”

She kept her eyes on Hilary. “Go where?”

“Homecoming.”

“Shouldn’t you do something? They’re being so mean,” she said. More taunting could be heard, but I wasn’t sure what actions to take. If Evan were here, he’d know what to do. He was always the standup guy, the one people depended on. Besides, I didn’t like sticking my nose in other people’s business. Staying out of the way, not being seen or heard was my job at home—my old home, the home my parents had left…the home I no longer had.

“She’ll live. Every kid gets teased at that age.”

Hilary ran past us and toward the sidewalk. She knew not to cross the street by herself, so she stopped and turned back, waiting for me. I got up from the bench and slung my school bag over my shoulder. “So, yes? Homecoming?”

Her eyes narrowed on me. “No thanks, Zach.”

“Fine.” I brushed it off as no big deal, even though, on some level, it fucking hurt. There were plenty of other chicks out there, though, and Nelly was totally replaceable. I walked with Hilary, but she stayed ahead of me, not daring to look back. I opened the door, and she darted past me, shoving my body in the process. Guess I deserved it for not stepping in to help.

I made my way to the kitchen and the aroma of chocolate chip oatmeal cookies that filled the house. Ms. Rebecca made the best treats. I served myself a large glass of milk and snatched five of them in my hand. She loved baking, and every couple of days, there was evidence of a new recipe she’d discovered. A kind lady, with eyes like Evan’s and the heart of an angel, she was the epitome of what a mother should be. She was no pushover, though. When Evan and I got to horsing around too much, she laid down the law, and it wasn’t always easy to take. She usually scolded him more than she did me, though. I wasn’t her real son, so I got away with more shit than Evan could. Not that I tried to too often. I’d never do that to her.

“What’s Hilary’s deal?” Katie, Evan’s oldest sister, sat at the table working on her Anatomy homework. She was in her last year of high school and had a shorter class day than the rest of us.

“I dunno,” I said as I stuffed two cookies into my mouth within five seconds and grabbed a few more, gesturing to them as I spoke. “Evan had any yet?”

“No. Nor should he. He’s been a big baby about his sore throat all day.” Katie was pretty with short, sandy-blond hair and blue eyes. Girls wanted to be just like her, and every guy in school wanted to date her. Her kindness mixed with sass and charisma made her loved by the entire student body. That also gave Evan clout. They didn’t pick on him because they knew who he was related to. Too bad Hilary wasn’t in high school yet.

Katie was dating James, this major dork who was also a super nice guy. I didn’t know too much about him, but I guessed they’d probably get married one day. “Dress rehearsals start on Monday, so he has to get better by then.”

They were in the school production of Grease. She was playing Sandy, Evan was playing one of the extra T-Birds. This house was full of theatre nuts. Evan’s mom had been an actress at one point but gave it up to become a wife and mother. A lot of good that did her. Her husband cheated on her with his co-worker and then left this family to start a new life with her when the other woman got pregnant. The whole family had been shaken, but I felt the need to keep Evan’s spirits up and let him know that he didn’t need the guy. At least he had his mother, who focused all her love and energy on her kids.

“Mom’ll be back in a bit, she ran to the store. She’s making chicken veggie soup tonight. Don’t spoil your appetite.” Katie’s voice faded as I climbed the stairs to the farthest room. It was the smallest, but it was homey. It didn’t feel like mine. Somehow, I knew the other shoe would drop, and everything would be taken from me.

I set my cookies, glass of milk, and backpack on the desk in the corner and kicked off my shoes. I’d say hi to Evan in a bit and sneak him a snack, but first, I took out my textbooks and got ready to dive in. My drive for learning was the only thing I had going for me. If I could make my future successful, be nothing like my parents, I’d consider that a win. So, I found solace and hope in my studies.

Before I had a chance to see him, my door swung open. For being sick, Evan looked just fine. He was one of those guys who seemed to have it all figured out. At least, that’s what everyone thought. Behind the veneer, he worked hard at perfecting his persona. The trait I found coolest about Evan, though, was that when he wanted something, he charged in like a bull. No fear.

What was surprising at the moment, however, was the look of anger on his face as he shut the door and approached me. “What the hell is this about Hilary crying?”

I got up from my chair and strolled to him, handing him a cookie. “Oh, just some kids razzing her.”

“And you didn’t do anything about it?”

“I didn’t think it was that big of a deal.”

Evan was fuming, his hands on his hips, his blue eyes troubled. “They were calling her four-eyes. They said she was an adopted weirdo. That we weren’t her real family.”

“That’s dumb. Everyone knows I’m the adopted weirdo, and you’re not my real family.” I lifted the cookie to him again, but he shook his head. “Besides, I didn’t feel it was my place to get involved.”

“Zach, what the hell? You are a part of this family. Hilary sees you as a brother. We all do. Mom treats you like her own, and you still call her ‘Ms. Rebecca.’”

The sentiment tugged at my heart. Being connected to them permanently was too good to be true. And things that were great could be taken away. “It’s not a legal deal, Evan. My parents could call back for me whenever they want.”

“Dude, we both know that’s not gonna happen. They left Mom a shitload of money to take care of you, and they left you a trust fund. They’re selfish assholes who had no problems giving you up when Mom asked to take you in.” A part of me wished they missed me. “We’re your family now, Zach. Families take care of one another, got that?”

I stayed still, unsure of my response. Someone caring about me was unfamiliar, let alone having siblings that stuck up for one another. “So, what should I have done?” I asked with sincerity.

“You should’ve told those kids that if they said another mean word to her, you’d sic your dog on them. That you’d make sure Bloody Mary went after them, something to freak them the hell out and make them stop.”

“I don’t have a dog, and I don’t believe in Bloody Mary.” I chuckled, and Evan relaxed, his own laugh coming through.

“I don’t know, maybe take away their Beanie Babies?” He snatched the cookie from my hand and took a bite.

“Seems like you’re feeling better.”

“Yeah, my throat’s still a little rough, but the fever’s gone down.” He tipped his chin toward my books. “Starting the homework already?”

I nodded. I had decided last year that I wouldn’t take any of my parent’s trust fund money. I was going to earn a full scholarship to school, and it would take a lot of work to get there. I was already taking advanced classes. Ms. Rebecca had gone with me to talk to the counselor to learn my financial aid options. Evan was right. Rebecca was more my mom than my real mother had ever been. Remorse coursed through me. “I’m sorry I didn’t stick up for Hilary, man. I should’ve done something. I didn’t want to overstep.”

“Your last name may be Collins, but you’re a Matthews, bud. You gotta promise you’ll take care of my sister. Watch over her like she’s your family.”

I wanted to give back to the people who had given me so much. I wanted to be everything they were to me. “I promise, Evan. I’ll do whatever I can.”

“Go talk to her. I think she was embarrassed.”

I knocked on her door and waited until a small voice answered. Her room was the opposite of what most young girls would have. Instead of Barbie, My Little Pony, and stuffed animals, there were photos of her family and a poster of her favorite movie on the walls.

“Hey, Hil.” I approached her as she laid in bed, clutching the one girly item she owned—a raggedy stuffed elephant. “Can I sit?”

She bobbed her head and sat up as I took my place beside her. “Why are you crying?”

“You didn’t hear what those girls said? They called me googly four-eyes.”

“That’s totally ridiculous. Everyone knows the only ones allowed to call you that are your brothers.” I winked at her as she smiled up at me, her brown eyes bright behind her glasses.

“You can call me that?”

“Yep, I’m like your big brother, so when you need anything, you can count on me, okay?”

She sniffled, rubbing the back of her hand under her nose. “They were talking about how my dad left us and how you guys aren’t my real family.”

“They’re just jealous, kid. Besides, I’m the one who was adopted by your mom. She’s a cool lady, and you’re gonna grow up to be just like her.” I squeezed her button nose, and she giggled, clutching her elephant closer to her. She was so young, so innocent, and I didn’t want mean words affecting her. It had happened to me, and it shouldn’t happen to her. To anyone. Ever. “Hilary, don’t listen to those girls, okay. You’re not like them. And don’t ever believe the mean words they say.”

“How do I stop them?”

“I’ll stop them. I’m sorry I didn’t today, but I won’t let anyone treat you that way again. I’ll spend my life making sure of it. You gotta help me, too, and don’t let anyone treat you that way either, all right? You stand up for yourself. You’re a strong girl.”

She nodded, and I wondered if she understood what I was telling her. She was young, and the world was cruel. I’d already experienced a small part of it, but I knew there was more to come. I hated that she would have to go through it. “You’ll make sure nobody hurts me?”

Giving her a guarantee was impossible. Instead, I put my arm around her shoulders. “I promise to try my best to make sure you’re treated right.”

I kissed her forehead as she hugged me tightly.