Her words were casual, like she was talking about something trivial. Yet, they had stolen my brother’s life away.
“Is your dad in more debt again?” she continued, almost bored. “Four hundred fifty thousand dollars, right? I’ll take care of it for you.”
“Cy, stop causing trouble.”
She spoke like she was tossing a coin to a beggar, giving me just enough to dismiss me. After a few more dismissive words, she left.
Cy… She hadn’t called me that in five years.
I wanted to laugh, but there was also the sting of tears behind my eyes. What I felt most, though, was relief.
Finally, I was free.
It was time for all to end.
I couldn't bury my father, but I could bury my brother. There were no other family members left, so there was no funeral either.
As I stepped out of the graveyard complex, I called Vega. “Vega, come pick me up.”
I went home right after.
The same group of Luna’s college guys, the ones who had come around before, barged in again, eager to take whatever they could. I didn’t stop them, as usual and even handed them some of the things I’d been storing.