“You would say that, wouldn’t you, little princess?” Abram says, turning around to face her.
Any sign of emotion he’d shown a few seconds ago has vanished, and his face returned to the inscrutable mask he had on earlier.
“You lived a perfectly sheltered life. Look. I don’t need any one of you. I didn’t need you then. I don’t need you now. Look how well you grew up without me. We don’t need each other.”
“But we’re family….”
“Yeah, right,” Abram scoffs. “Good luck playing the role of a big happy family. Leave me out.”
The two stare hard at each other, silence and unresolved grudges rapidly widening the invisible gap that seems to separate them.
They are both standing in the same room but seem worlds apart.
They seem to have both forgotten all about my presence. I’m inconsequential to them in the scheme of things, at this moment... non-existent.
* * *
“You and Abram?” June blinks at me in disbelief, as if I’d just told her I’m Abraham Lincoln’s reincarnation.
I guess it’s that difficult to imagine a man like Abram Harden with someone like me.
“Unbelievable, right?” I said with a shaky laugh.
Brenda left so abruptly yesterday, even before I could wrap my head around whatever was going on between them.
Abram had gone straight to his studio and locked himself up all night. I figured he needed space to sort out his thoughts, but I haven’t been able to sleep a wink.
It occurred to me that I knew nothing about Abram and then slowly I started to remember the things he’d said about hurting the people who loved him.
I wondered if he was talking about Brenda and his parents.
Only one person could answer the questions running around in my head. And before I knew it, I was knocking on Brenda’s door at six in the morning.
I felt guilty for disturbing her so early, but it seemed like she hadn’t gotten much sleep either.
“How on earth...?” Brenda seems to catch the look in my eyes because she pauses and shakes her head. “Don’t get me wrong, Mel... I’m not against the relationship, if anything, I’m glad this happened. Believe it or not, I think you both are perfect for each other. I’m just surprised. I’d never imagine you and my brother coming together like this in a million years. It’s a beautiful thing, though. You look different, too... Happy. And despite the scene yesterday, something seems different about Abram.
“You say he’s been at the house for over three weeks? That’s long enough to confirm his true feelings for you. I don’t know what brought him down here, but you’re definitely the reason he’s stayed this long.”
I don’t know what I expected Brenda’s reaction to be when I told her about Abram and me and the situation that brought us together, but I feel immensely relieved.
I guess deep down within my heart I was scared that Brenda wouldn’t allow her brother to be with someone like me.
I thought I’d let go of my insecurities when it comes to Abram, but I still need to work on my self-image in my head.
I need to start seeing myself the way Abram, and everyone else does.
“I know it’s none of my business,” I say, leaning forward in my seat. “But can you tell me what yesterday’s argument was all about? Please tell me about Abram. I want to understand him more.”
Brenda sighs heavily and leans back in her chair.
“I bet he’s never told you anything deep about himself. Typical Abram, always so closed off. And you had to fall in love with such a complicated man.”
Love?
Am I in love with Abram?
“Abram is my step-brother, as you might have deduced from our conversation yesterday,” Brenda says with another deep sigh.