The air in the room shifts the moment his gaze pierces mine. All oxygen leaves me. I can’t breathe as this aching pain sears me in the chest at the sight of him. He’s the same as I left him yet different. He’s gained some of his weight back. Only there’s this sadness to him that breaks me. I can’t help but wonder if I had something to do with that.
“Hey, little sister,” Zuko says with a big grin, stepping in my line of view. He pulls me in for a hug and spins me around.
“Hey yourself. Have you seen our sister?”
“Not since earlier.”
“She called me two days ago screaming at me to hurry home because our father had suffered a massive heart attack. But does he look like someone who recently underwent a major health event?”
“The fuck she tell you some shit like that for?”
“That’s what I’d like to know.”
“Well fuck. Don’t get on my ass. I didn’t do anything to you.”
I blow out a breath. I’m here now. I might as well spend the night and get some rest. Try to eat something. “Is there any food made?”
“I don’t know. Check the kitchen. What do I look like, the fucking welcome center?”
“Asshole.”
“Love you too,” he grunts and moves off. Fisher is staring a damn hole through me. I know I should speak to him. I’m not ready to though.
“Baby girl,” my father shouts and Death twists around, looking at me as though I’m a ghost. His hair is longer. As is his beard. The lines around his eyes tighten as though he’s pissed to see me. Guess I interrupted his little party or whatever.
“I’m glad to see you’re okay after your health scare,” I tell my father, though now I’m convinced my sister is a great actress who set this little scheme in motion to get me home. The real question is why though. She’s been so against my getting back with Fisher.
“Health scare?”
“Nothing.” I shake my head. “I missed you.”
“What are you waiting for? Come give your ol’ man some love.”
Some of the other brothers give me a nod while others don’t acknowledge me at all. I give my father a hug and nearly cry when his arms stretch around me. I welcome his embrace, needing a hug from him more than he knows.
I’m glad he’s okay and not laid up in the hospital dying on me.
“Glad you’re home.” He kisses the top of my head and releases me.
“I’m starving. I’ve been in my car for like two days.”
“Woman, get over here and feed our girl.”
I see my mother hesitate then she offers me a smile. I turn away from her. “Never mind. I lost my appetite.”
“Freya, don’t be like that,” he snaps at me.
“I’m not being any way.”
“Bullshit,” Death mutters.
“No one asked you. Don’t you have a whore to fuck?”
“Jesus. What’s wrong with you?” My father scolds me, and I feel like I’m twelve all over again and he’s going to send me to my room for mouthing off.
“She’s hangry,” Zuko speaks for me.
I roll my eyes. “I’ll fend for myself.” I go out the end of the bar and to the kitchen.