“I’m done, heading out with Kingston,” he says.
“Okay. I guess we’ve been invited to stay for the weekend,” I say.
“Kingston told me. I’ll grab some clothes for you when I stop by before we head to his house,” he says but he won’t look at me. I almost smile.
I know they are surprising me with a trip to Disney. I’ll act surprised. I find it sweet. Thorn’s been before on a school trip. I saved tips for a month for him to go. But I’ve never been and I know he wants me to have fun.
It’s why he mentioned it to Kingston.
They are sweet, trying to show me how much they care about me.
“I’ll be there soon. Go with Kingston,” I wave him off and head back inside.
Sweet little brother.
Kingston
Thorn gets in the car after telling his sister he’s leaving.
“I’ve been to Disney World,” he says.
“What?” What brought this on?
“There was a school trip my senior year and Briar saved every penny from her tips for a month to send me on that trip with extra spending money. I guess you should know and I get that I’m not going to be making money right away, but I want to give back to her. The first time I win a huge purse, I’m giving it all to her. I don’t know why I’m even telling you this. I guess so you kind of understand her and me a little more. It’s why I suggested taking her. She’s given up a lot for me,” he offers, his rant over.
“I get that. And I promise that there will be chances to pay it back. But I don’t think she wants that. I think she just wants you to be happy,” I say as I pull up to their apartment.
He jumps out and runs upstairs fast like he’s ashamed of where they live, so I decide to follow. I’m shocked at the state of the apartment building, while the outside looks nice, the inside reminds me of the places in a horror movie. The walls are cracked, paint peeling, the floor looks like it hasn’t been cleaned in years.
He opens his apartment door and I step in after him. He looks at me and then around the place.
“This is how you’ve been living?” I ask him.
“We make do.” He shrugs and runs to the room. One room.
“Where does Briar sleep?”
He looks down at the floor, almost ashamed to answer, “The couch.”
She looks out for her brother, I get it. But this can’t be healthy for either of them. Thorn needs his own space. Briar needs a bed.
“Grab your things,” I say, walking out of the room.
I fiddle with knobs on the sink, watching water drop out, it should be spouting. This place is a dump. I can’t let them come back here, this isn’t safe. I know if I bring it up, Briar will decline, but I guess one day at a time, ease her into it.
Leaving Thorn to it, I head back downstairs to my car, staring at the place that has to be a nightmare for Thorn and Briar. I don’t know the whole story, hopefully I will. I’m guessing that she’s used to living without much, which makes me shake. I want to give her and her brother everything.
He jumps back in and we head off to the grocery store.
I need a few things for dinner and the bakery here has a decadent cheesecake and that sounds perfect for dessert.
Once we get home, I get started on marinating the steaks. I get Thorn chopping veggies to make a salad.
I start the grill and decide to do leeks and corn on the grill.
I’m whisking the dressing as the doorbell rings.
I answer it and see Briar.