Series Wednesday: Family game night Page 4

I sit here watching all the kids on their phones laughing and playing games. Percy seems happy to have all his friends around.  I walk around and say hi to all the parents who are in the kitchen. I hear a laugh from behind me it has to be the most obnoxious laugh I have ever heard in my life. I turn back to look at the kids and see a large boy who seems to be messing with all the other children. This must be the bully Percy was talking about. I see he hasn’t just caught my eye but also my fathers. I rush over to Percy “is that the boy you told me about?” Percy sighs. “Yeah, dad said I had to invite the whole class.” Percy shrugs. “I am sure he did.” I say as I push him back toward his party. He smiles at me as he heads toward his friends. I walk over to my dad and lean in and whisper to him. “Dad enough not him.” I tell my father. “This is how it is done. Stay out of it Cahira, I am not your mother and this won’t be an argument.” My dad says as he starts to tower over me. “This is the real reason you guys waited for his first game night.”  My dad grabs me by the side of my arm. “Cahira I told you, this is not an agreement or conversation. If you don’t want to be here for Percy’s special day then leave. If you do decide to stay I expect silence and a smile.” I look my dad in the eyes searching for the gentle man who raised me but that is not what I see looking back at me. “Dad people can see you.” Grace says as she rubs my dad's shoulder. He lets me go and smiles at my sister. "Thank you Grace." He takes a deep breath and walks away. "What were you thinking pissing off dad??" Graces asks me as I look at my dad hand print on my arm.  "I wasn't trying to pissing him off. I know you won't believe me but I never intentionally try to make our parent angry. I just don't believe what you guys do is right."  I wait for Grace's come back. "Honestly Cahira we don't care if you believe in it or not. This is our way of life. You are average at best. Mom, dad and I are just perfectionist and this is how we deal with it. I am sorry if that doesn't fit into your narrow views of right and wrong." Grace step towards me with the same anger as my parents do. "My views are far from narrow. In no one’s view what you guys do okay.  If it was you wouldn't have a secret room for it." Unlike my dad Grace is harmless. "Girls enough Cahira go to your room, you are just picking fights with everyone today." My mom says as she grabs me by the ear.   I walk back to my room.

                I sit outside the door. I know what Percy is seeing for the first time. I can’t help but want to cry for him. I can’t hear anything from up here my parents had the room sound proofed years ago. I don’t know if Percy will feel as I did. Will he be disgusted with our family??? Or will he join them like Grace?? My mom talks about my coma like it was something that just happened to me. I hate that she blames that on why I have morals. I would be lying if I said waking up from the coma didn’t change me. Before the coma I was much like Grace, I had to be the best at everything. I always felt slightly out of place and like my skin was always buzzing off my bone. The only person who ever understood that was Chance probably because of his secrets. He was always sweet and never gave up on me even as a kid. When I was in the coma Chance’s mom brought him to see me every day, he was there even more than my own mother. Chance's face was the first one I saw when I woke up, I knew right then that I was different then before my accident because that was the moment I started to love Chance. The day I woke up was the day I was born, the odd girl who lived in my body before me died. I never thought again about the emptiness in my soul or the way I was never able to get attached to anyone not even my parents.  After the accident I could love and get attached, it was just hard for me when I realized that I could love my family in a way they would never love me back. Grace is the best at pretending she feels love. My parent’s on the other hand. My mother only held us in front of company and I don't remember it bothering me until I woke up that day in the hospital. As a child I didn't like being held or cuddled, neither did Grace. I am kind of thankful that I cracked my head open and changed because if not I would still be like them. I sit here wondering if Percy is like them. He was the only one of us that cried as a baby to be held. Maybe he is different because he is a boy.  This could all be wishful thinking at this point. I won't know anything until they are done down there. So all I can do is sit here and wait.

Series Wednesday: Family game night page 3

                I wake up to see my mom at the end of my bed. “Your father and I have been talking about Percy’s birthday. We are going to hold on family game night until next week. Percy’s birthday party is tomorrow and if he reacts badly we do not want a house full of people.” My mom’s cold demeanor does not surprise me. “I know there is nothing I can say to change your mind. So I have decided to stay here for his first family game night. I will sit up stairs by the door until you guys are finished.” I won’t even look at my mom. “I think you should be down there with us. You never know if you have changed. You might be more open minded. Your special instinct might just kick in later.” I get up out of my bed. I know where this conversation is going. “You heard the doctor after my 5th or was it 7thth M.R.I. right?? I don’t have that how did you refer to it as special instinct.” I start to get dressed. “I think it was that small coma you were in as a child that ruined your brain. But I am not a brain doctor or anything.” She dusts off her dress and stands up. “No you’re just a paid hand.” I respond instantly regretting the words after they came out of my mouth.  I look back at my mom as she walks over to me. She slaps me across the month. "You should always get paid for what your good at. If anyone tells you different then they are a fool." She walks out of my room as I stand there with my hand on my month. Great now that I pissed her off what a great way to start my day. I get dressed and go to Percy’s room. "Happy birthday!" I tell him as I walk into his room. "Thank you Cahira." He says as he walks over to give me a hug. "Are they making you go to school today?" I ask him. "Yeah, dad says I am getting a party so I have to go to school."  Percy shrugs. "Come with me and you won't have to go to school." I say as I head downstairs. Percy runs behind me all the way out the house to my motorcycle. "Where are we going?" Percy says as he hops on the back of my bike.

                Percy and I laugh after getting off the rollercoaster. "You screamed louder than the little girl behind us." I say to Percy laughing so hard I can barely breathe.  "She was a savage either that or she is a mute. I didn't hear her scream once," the little girl comes off the ride and laughs as she walks past Percy. Which makes me fall to the floor laughing. "Come on now!" Percy yells. I get up and grab Percy. "Let’s get something to eat. Percy and I get some ice cream and walk off the Pier down to the beach. "Thanks for bringing me out here. This has been so much fun." Percy says as he fines his spot to sit on the beach. "What is a 3 and a half hour ride for my little brother’s birthday." I say as I sit next to him. "So now that I am 13 I am not a kid anymore right?" I eat my ice cream silently. “You will always be my little brother. Why are you asking if you’re still a kid?? Do you not feel like a kid?”  Percy stops eating his ice-cream. “Look Cahira you are the only one in our family who has ever treated me as a kid. Mom, dad and Grace act like I am a growing adult; you don’t which never bothered me because I have always felt like you love me more than they do. But I am growing up so Cahira there are some things I need to ask you.” Percy sounds like an adult. He doesn’t sound like my little brother who would have night mares and slept on my floor. “What is your question?” I ask him. “Why do you hate them so much?? You and mom can barely stand to be in the same room and I just want to know why?”  I know I can’t answer any of Percy’s questions right now. “Percy let’s just enjoy this beautiful day and this good ice-cream. We have the rest of our lives to talk about our family and why I have a dislike for them.”  I wonder if he will side with me once he knows or he will be just like them.  Only time will tell I guess.

                Percy and I walk through the front door to find my mother standing there. “Happy birthday Percy, I hope you enjoyed where ever it is you were instead of school. Now go to your room and get ready for your birthday dinner.” Percy smile and runs up the stairs. “As for you” My mother says while looking at me. “You are in a world of trouble. How dare you help Percy miss school. You are not his mother and you do not get a say in if he goes to school or not. Do you understand me?” I look my very angry mother up and down. “I am not even going to touch that one.”  I tell her as I start to walk past her to the stairs. “It is Percy birthday, so I am not going to fight with you. I am just going to tell you that you’re grounded.”  I can hear the smugness in her voice but I just keep walking up the stairs and try to remember that today is about Percy.

Series wednesday: Family game night page 2

“Chance” I yell down the hall way as I walk to catch up with him. “Hey babe” Chance says as he kisses me on my check. All the girls look at Chance, the most popular guy in school likes me. Most girls say in hushed tones behind me back that he is just with me because he feels sorry for me and we have been best friends since grade school, if they only knew. Chance is the only person in this world I trust but not even he knows the truth about my family. “Can we talk somewhere more private?” I tell him. All the other kids make oooh sounds.  Chance smiles “sure anything for you.” We head to his car. “What’s wrong?” Chance asks me. “I need a favor; I need Percy to stay at your house this weekend.” Chance’s face changes. “His birthday weekend??? Your mom invited me to his birthday party? Cahira what’s going on???” I forgot about the party. “Nothing, I just thought it would be fun to have Percy hang with us.” I hear the words come out of my mouth and knew instantly that Chance isn’t going to go for it. “Well I got to go now I have to work on my bike in auto class.” I say as I jump out of the car to head to my class. There’s nothing like the sound of a motor to help me think. “You’re getting grease all over yourself.” I hear from behind me. I turn around and see him standing over me. The super typical loner with nothing but smart ass things to say. I roll my eyes at him. “Most girls don’t like grease.” He says as he walks over to the hunk of junk car he is working on. “How would you know, I bet a girl has never talk to you in your life.”  Everyone is the shop laughs.
               
                “Dad” I knock on his study door. “Come in.” He says as he types on his computer. “I need to talk to you about something.” I tell him as I sit down in the big brown leather chair in front of his desk. “Your mother said you were being rude to her the other morning.” I look down. “Is that what she said?” I respond still not looking my dad in the eyes. “Cahira look at me. You know I hate it when you do that. You’re much too strong to look down for anyone.” I look up at the one person who always seems to see through my soul. “I want to talk to you about Percy’s 13thbirthday.”  My dad sits back in his chair. “Cahira this is not how we do things.” I can’t help but get angry. “He is not like Grace or me. He won’t be able to handle it. What if it drives him insane?” My dad laces his fingers into a ball and puts them over his mouth. “I wish I could say I understand why you came out so differently. Just because you don’t have the same urges as us does not give you the right to judge.” I shake my head at him. “You were the one to give me The Tripitaka and tell me to think. Do you remember what day you gave it to me?”  My dad takes a deep breath. “Of course I remember I gave it to you for your 12th birthday. Your mother is still pissed at me for that. I had no idea you would become a Buddhist.” My dad sighs. "You told me I had to think for myself and I think Percy has the same right." My dad chuckled at me. "I completely agree with you. This is why we will show him the game room and just like you, let him decide for himself what he thinks. I don't think you're afraid of him not liking it, I think your terrified that he is exactly like us." Here is where things get complicated. I love my dad more than my mom because he never made me feel bad for my tattoos or my Buddhist beliefs not like my mother or sister.  "My fear is that he will never be able to live a healthy normal life after you guys steal his soul and he will not get to be reborn."  I have never spoken to my dad in this manner and I can tell it is hurting both of us. "Is that what you think of us? You think we are soulless?" I start to shake my head. "To be honest I have no idea in this family." My dad looks at me one last time before looking back at his lap top. I know this is my cue to leave.  I walk out of his study and start walking down the hall way to my bed room. "Cahira?" Percy yells from his bed as I pass his room. I open his partly closed door. "Yes." Percy sits up in his bed. "I can't sleep." He says. I walk over to his bed and sit next to him. "What's on your mind?" Percy just sits there for a second. "Nothing just a talk I had with dad about this bully at school." I take a deep breath. "What bully?" Percy sinks down into his bed. "Well he is kind of new and for some reason he hates me and is always picking on me. He never leaves me or my friend alone. He even follows me into the bathroom and tries to push me into my own pee. So I stopped peeing at school and well I peed myself in dad's car. I just couldn't hold it any longer, so I told dad what was happening."  I pull Percy back up to sit with me. "What did dad say?" I ask. "He asked for the kids name and said this wouldn't happen again and just started talking about my birthday. He gave me no advice on how to deal with it or anything." I know why my dad said nothing but I am not sure what to say to Percy.  “Dad is probably going to tell the school or something. Don’t worry and if dad doesn’t I’ll handle it.” I hug Percy and tucked him into bed.

Poem: Social media babies

A moment of truth for you.
We live in an age of social media babies.
Crying and whining for the world to see.
But that just isn't me.
I am old school, a true 90's baby.
The last of our kind.
We don't complain on social media for the world to see.
If you let the world in to your private pain, you give them a right to have an opinion.

So why would you wonder when the haters judge,
your the one who gave them the ammunition.
My life is mine and I'll speak through my art.
But to cry for strangers sympathy.
Well that really isn't me.

Series Wednesday: Family Game night page 1

        “Are you crashing here tonight?”  I pull the blanket over me and smile really big. “Nope I am rushing home right now.” I laugh. “Come on Cahira, you know how mad your mom is going to be.” I look at Chance and smile. “I am trying to care I really am but I just don’t, strangest thing.” I laugh and roll over. My phone keeps lighting up with my mom’s name is flashing across it. “I don’t get why you wouldn’t want to go home.  You have the perfect family.” I sigh. “It’s Friday and you know what that means its family game night.” I try to close my eyes and ignore Chance. “Family game night sounds amazing. I love going to your family events. I just don’t get you rebelling against family game night.  I mean I get you’re the black sheep with tattoos, which I know everyone at school is so jealous of but I don’t think you should rebel against your family.”  I punch Chance in the arm. “Just because we have been best friends since we were kids does not give you the right to weigh in on every single part of my life.” Chance laughs. “Try your only friend and yes it does. I have been here since Second grade so I have say over it all. But since you want to be a brat about it I am going to watch the news and ignore you.” Chance turns on the T.V. I roll over and ignore Chance. He has no idea what it is like for me. I have the perfect family, let’s take a roll call. We have my mother who is a stay at home mom Rose with rock hard abs and writes some of the most sold cook books, for a stay at home mom she is always on the go. Next is my handsome and very wealthy father John, he made a killing investing on Smart Chip technology. He flashes his white smile and everyone just does what he asks, well mostly women. Then you have my perfect older sister Grace, much like my mother and father she has away of hypnotizing anyone she speaks to, it is like magic. Then there is me and my baby brother, he is actually perfect. My little brother Percy is the most genuine person I have ever met. He doesn’t play sport or run for school office like my sister, he is the only person in my family I enjoy being around. 

            “Cahira it is time for school.” I lay in my bed thinking about how weekends go by too fast.  How it is Wednesday already gets me. I walk down to the kitchen to grab some juice before school. “Do you know what is 2 weeks away? Percy 13th birthday! He will be old enough for grown up family game night.” I look over at my mom as she talks to me.  “No he is too young for the family game night after hours.” I whisper to my mom. “No he is not. You and your sister were both 13 when I and your dad let you in. Just because you are not as gifted as your sister, doesn’t mean Percy won’t love it.” I slam my juice on the counter. “I wouldn’t use gifted as my choice of words. Why does sinister sit on my tongue as a better description of her.” My mother looks at the juice all over the counter. “Aren’t we anti-climactic this morning? Make sure you clean that up and get over yourself.” My mom just walks away from me and head towards the front door. I start to whip up the juice and grab some pancake mix out of the pantry and start the mix. Percy loves pancakes before school. “Something smells good.” I look back and see Grace grabbing the honey from the cabinet. I turn back and continue cooking. “I heard you and mom, what were you arguing about this time?? Did you get another tattoo or something?” I look back at Grace my parent’s perfect child. “We were fighting about Percy 13th birthday.”  I look Grace straight in the face to see her reaction. Grace and I are only 10 months apart. Most people thought Grace and I were fraternal twins since we are sister and in the same grade. “OH! I get why you’re fighting now.” Grace says she walks over to the bowl of fruit on the table at the other end of the hall way. “That’s all you have to say?” I ask Grace. “You know that I do not want to fight with you. I think bringing Percy in is an amazing thing for our family. I am so sick of keeping things from him. He is our little brother and this keeps our family close.”  I want to throw the frying pan at her. Grace was my best friend most of my life but my 13th birthday changed all of that. That was the day I saw her and my parents for who they really are. “Keeps us close! I can’t even talk to you anymore Grace.” I turn around and see the pancake is burning on one side. “Cahira, before my 13th birthday I thought something was wrong with me. No matter how much I tried to fit it I felt like a stranger in my skin but when mom and dad opened themselves up to me. I felt whole.” I hear Percy running down the stair and so does Grace. “I’ll just have a banana.” She says as Percy walks into the kitchen. “Morning Grace.” He says as he speeds past her to get his pancakes.  “Thank you Cahira you’re the best.” He says as he grabs the stack of pancakes. “You excited about your birthday?” Grace asks him. “Yes very, mom and dad said I’m finally old enough to get a key to the game room. I can’t believe I am finally old enough for a key.” I laugh. “It is just a basement.” I tell Percy trying to hold back from telling him the truth. “It doesn’t matter if it is not as amazing as mom and dad make it sound. I am just excited to be a part of it.” Percy sounds like me. “Hear that Cahira he is excited to be a part of it.” Grace says to me in her snake voice. I know I couldn’t protect Percy forever but I need to come up with a plan to stop this.

Update on series wednesday

Hi everyone,
I thank all of you for your overwhelming love of Timetopia. Timetopia book 1 is done for now but i will be letting out a new series. I hope your excited to follow a new charter on a brand new adventure. Don't worry Ava and Rev will be back for a book 2. To be honest i am just a writer who loves to write about different things all the time so it is time for something new.  So Keep your eyes open for the new series.