His face twisted and his eyes bulged, he was pissed. Oh well!
Ephraim laughed; at least he found humor in it. “She’s not interested in what you have to offer John, besides how would Amber feel if she saw you looking at Brylee like that?” John tore his eyes off of me and got into Ephraim’s face. “We aren’t together anymore. So seems to me that I can have my pick of any girl that’s not attached. Last I heard you were single, right Eph?”
“No, he’s taken, by me,” I said nervously. Although we weren’t technically dating we were friends and we were going to the dance together. I didn’t really care what anyone thought. I didn’t want this loser hitting on me.
“Oh, is that right? So you’re dating him, huh?” he challenged me.
“Yeah, I am so you can look at me, but you can’t have me. Ever!” I added.
“Okay Barbie you go ahead and date my cousin Ephraim here. But I will have you eventually, just like I had his last girl.” And as soon as he said it Ephraim punched him right in the nose. I heard the break and I could feel my lunch rise to my throat. I fought to hold it down. Blood sprayed Ephraim’s white shirt and the floor. John hit the ground like a sack of rocks and Ephraim grabbed his coat and my arm. We left as quickly as possible. He opened the door for me in a rush as the rest of his cousins followed us out to the truck. Once inside he told me to lock the doors as his other cousins came outside to fight him.
My hands shook as I dialed for help. I couldn’t remember who to call at first, my parents? No they were at the hospital, and they would freak out. I saw Ephraim yelling at his little pimply cousin Derrick, and then another cousin pushed him aside. Do I call 911? I wasn’t sure, did I want to see Ephraim got to jail for hitting his cousin? The other cousin pushed Ephraim against the truck and it moved, Ephraim struggled to fight him off. Okay 911 it was. As I dialed they all jumped Ephraim, he didn’t have a fair advantage. There were too many of them. I unlocked the doors to try to help, deciding foolishly to put the phone down even though I knew there was nothing I could do. A man in the restaurant had come outside now to break it up. He started pulling the boys apart and Ephraim was lying on the ground. I just stood there and cried, silly I know, but I didn’t like to see this. I was scared, someone I cared about was being beat up in front of me all for defending me.
“Stay down punk,” one of the boys said and they went back inside. The man that came out helped Ephraim up and gave me a wary look. “You his girlfriend?” he asked me.
“We’re friends.” Why didn’t I just say yes? I was a girl and I was his friend. Besides, who cares if I said yes, it wasn’t like Ephraim would get upset with me.
“Well you take him home and stay away from here. Those Mayhew boys are nothing but trouble and they have been hanging around here a lot.” I nodded and Ephraim stood and brushed himself off. “Thanks a lot, sir,” he said to the man.
“The names Hugo and you’re welcome.” He turned and walked back into the diner but stopped and turned around, “By the way, nice hit kid.”
The drive back was quiet; only the sounds of Ephraim’s engine purring filled the cab. Once we reached his driveway he gave a heavy sigh, “Brylee, I am so incredibly sorry for involving you in that. If I knew they would have been there I would never have brought you there.”
“I’m not mad at you at all. I am actually proud of you for standing up for yourself against them. They’re bullies and the way he was talking to me he deserved that punch.” Ephraim hung his head as I spoke. He looked so sad. “What’s wrong? Are you upset because you hit your cousin?”
“No, I’m upset because you had to see that side of me. I could care less about John’s nose, I hope it hurts like hell.” He was trying to defend my honor and he didn’t like that I saw his anger. Truthfully, I was scared to be in that position, the position the Mayhew boys put us in. John knew what he was doing the moment he came to our table. He came over to pick a fight, and then the other boys jumped Ephraim. It wasn’t fair, but Ephraim was more worried about me. I reached my hand slowly across the cab and touched the back of his neck. His head still down he looked like he was close to tears.
“Listen, I’m not upset at you at all. If anything, I’m pissed at your cousin’s for ruining a good day,” I told him.
“Really?” He lifted his head and met my eyes.
“Yes, really. I don’t like to see anyone fight, especially family, but that jerk deserved it.”
“Yeah well it’s been a long time coming. I have wanted to punch him for so long now and I feel so much better. Except my hand is killing me.” His hand was turning purple fast. His face was scraped up and I had no idea what damage happened elsewhere to his body. But now I knew why he didn’t eat lunch with us at school. He was avoiding fighting them.
“We should get some ice on your hand.” I touched it gently and he winced. “Do you mind if I come inside with you?”
“Sure come on in, nurse Brylee.”
Once inside Lyn immediately asked what was wrong, she could tell something had happened. Their dog Daisy came over to Ephraim wagging her tail and followed him into the kitchen. I sat Lyn down and told her all about it while Ephraim iced his hand. Her mom was upstairs when we came in, but soon came down once she heard Lyn screaming at Ephraim for hitting John. She wasn’t mad that he hit their cousin, but mad that Ephraim could have, or still could, get in trouble with the law for it. I hadn’t thought about that part yet. What he did was illegal.
“Lynley what are you yelling about down here?” Their mom came down the stairs in her pajamas. Once she spotted me she looked embarrassed to be wearing them so early in the day. “I didn’t know we had company or else I would have changed. I’m Carole and you are?”
I stood immediately and greeted their mother. Her red hair was just like Lyn’s except it was styled and neat. She was pretty, but wore her exhaustion around her eyes. She definitely looked like she over worked herself to raise her children. Something I commended. “I’m Brylee Branson, I live next door.”
“Oh you’re Brylee, nice to finally meet you. Lynley never stops talking about you.” She grabbed a robe from the tiny closet in the living room and slipped it on. “Would you like something to eat or drink?” For the sake of not being rude I asked for tea. She nodded and went to work in the kitchen leaving the three of us to talk.
“Lynley don’t tell mom, she’ll freak out,” Ephraim whispered.
“She’s going to find out when Aunt Justine calls, Ephraim. You’re so stupid for hitting him, why would you do that?” I was suddenly mad at her now. She wasn’t there she didn’t know what he was like. He was antagonizing and he hit all the buttons just right, just to piss Ephraim off.
“Lynley, don’t get all in a tizzy. No one is going to call trust me. You think John wants anyone to know that I hit him?” Lyn suddenly backed down and considered the thought.
“Well, he does have too much pride to admit you did it, that’s true,” she admitted.
“Tea’s done.” Carole called from the kitchen and we all went in to grab our cups. Ephraim hid his hand as he took his cup, being careful not to expose it. We all sat and sipped our tea as their mom talked about church and the sermon. She said it was all about forgiveness, and how those who earn trust can earn forgiveness. Ephraim’s face grew pale and I knew he was feeling guilty for hitting John more and more by the second. Even though he had deserved it, I felt a bit guilty, too.
I left their house after thanking Carole for the tea and telling Lyn I would see her in the morning. Ephraim, looking extremely upset and guilt ridden, didn’t walk me back. Although it was alright, I did hope he would have at least said good-bye. I instead walked home alone. I hoped my parents were back, I didn’t feel like dealing with any ghosts right now. I was not in the mood for their crap at the moment.
Chapter Eighteen
Just as I reached the driveway I saw Kayla’s blue hair standing out like a beacon in the night. The evening was coming and the sun was making everything appear orange
and bright. Even Kayla’s hair had an orangey glow to it. She smiled at me, probably hoping to catch me in a good mood this time. I wasn’t in one but I did want to talk to her about the family tree.
“Hey Brylee I hope it’s okay that I’m here. I know last time you were upset with me…”
I raised my hand and stopped her mid-sentence. “Inside, we can talk inside.”
She took off her army boots at the door and I noticed the house was empty. My parents must have still been at that ER. Kayla sat on my couch and waited for me while I called my mom. Sure enough they were still there, now they wanted x-rays on my dad’s head, neck, and back. I assured her I was fine and she said she would be home within the hour no matter if Dad was done or not.
I slumped down next to Kayla on the couch and checked out her attire. She was wearing the same outfit as yesterday. “Do you need clothes? Cause I have some you can borrow.” She looked appalled at my statement. I was merely offering clothes to her.
“No, I like my clothes thank you. I don’t need to dress like a California girl any day soon,” she scoffed.
“I have clothes that will fit your style too Kayla, I’m not always wearing as you say ‘California clothes.’ ” She rolled her eyes and looked away. “What’s wrong Kayla? Did I offend you, because I didn’t mean to?”
She stood up and walked around looking at the pictures on the mantle of me and my family. Then she sat on the fireplace and stared at me intently. Kayla was usually so full of life and spunky, but not this time. Today she seemed upset somehow or disturbed. Maybe being in the house bothered her like it did Lyn.
“What is it?” I pressed.
“I went by my mom’s house today. I was going to tell her I was back, but she moved out. She just up and left and I can’t find her.”
“I’m sorry Kayla.” I was sorry that she was left on her own now. “Isn’t there any other family out here that you can reach out to?”
“Nope just my mom, guess I’m on my own.” She had me, but I didn’t know what I could do to help her. I could tell the school that she was back, maybe they could help her. I wasn’t too sure that she wanted their help though. She started to cry just then, and as if my weekend couldn’t get any sadder, it did. I lost Ethan, scared my friends, started a fight, and now she was crying and all alone. I sat next to her and put my arm around her cold shoulders. “Kayla, you’re freezing, let me start a fire.”
After the fire started blazing pretty steadily Kayla seemed to calm down a little and we sat in silence for a while before I brought up the family tree. I told her all about it and how we found it. She said nothing; she just looked at me shocked. I ignored her twisted expression and talked on. After I was done she still just stared at me speechless.
“You have nothing to say?” I asked.
“No, it’s not that. I need to tell you about the night of the séance. I think you need to hear about it, and I just have a foggy memory about it.” She massaged her temples like she could loosen up the memory somehow.
“Oh, you mean you can’t remember it all?”
“Yeah it’s hard for me to remember all the details. It’s been two years, and I really wasn’t myself that night.” She stood up and the blanket she had wrapped around her legs fell to the ground.
“You were really taken over by Violet Brown?” She turned on me and looked shocked at my statement.
“Well, is that what all your new friends told you?” She put her hands on her hips. It was Ephraim who had told me, but even I knew that you couldn’t always believe what everyone says. You have to hear it from the source.
“So you tell me what really happened,” I suggested.
She paced the floor back and forth and she seemed nervous. “I can’t tell you, not right now.”
I threw my hands up in the air. “Why not?”
“Because your parents are home Brylee.” I ran to the window and saw my aunt’s car pulling into the driveway. They were home and I didn’t know how they would feel about Kayla. “Go up to my room, I will meet you up there.” I turned around and, just like she always does, she disappeared again. “Crap,” I yelled just as my parents came in the door.
The Monday morning alarm went off too early as usual, and I got up slowly. I was in no rush to go to school. At least I was off detention now. I hurried as I got dressed and ate breakfast so fast I didn’t even taste it. I won’t lie, I was in a hurry to see Ephraim. I wanted to see if he was okay. Sure enough when we drove to school he was his normal self, quiet. Lyn talked a mile a minute about talking to Miles on the phone last night. Apparently they were definitely going to the dance together. I smiled, happy that I was able to set them up and make her see how beautiful she really was. I thought maybe if she started seeing Miles, then she would have a boost in confidence. I looked at her hair today, it was terrible.
“Why have you been totally neglecting your hair?” I asked her as I pulled up a strand of her red hair. It looked like she wasn’t even conditioning it.
“What?” she asked, completely oblivious of what was wrong with her hair. Ephraim and I laughed at her expense all the way to school. When we pulled in I noticed at once that John and the rest of the cousins were standing in Ephraim’s usual parking spot. My stomach turned. I didn’t want to deal with this right now. I felt like with everything going on with the house I didn’t want to have to deal with these jerks. Ephraim decided to park on the other side of the lot and he told us to wait in the truck. Lyn and I did as we were told; I had learned my lesson by now. John came toward us with his crew and Ephraim stood arms crossed against the truck bed.
“Hey cuz, how’s the hand?” John said, and it almost sounded like he really cared.
“Fine, how’s your nose?” Ephraim shot back.
“Getting better thanks for asking. I have to applaud you, you did a nice job.” John’s words were disgusting. “Anytime you would like to try again just let me know. I bet you won’t hit me again. I’ll have you on the ground before you do.”
Lyn got out of the truck before I could stop her. “Stop it, John. You are family! Why are you fighting each other?”
“Lynley, you know I love you. My fight isn’t with you,” John replied.
“Why are you fighting Ephraim, because he won’t hang out with you anymore? He grew up and moved on, why don’t you do the same.” She grabbed Ephraim and left me in the truck all alone. They walked into the school and I was forced to exit by myself. They forgot about me. John spotted me right away. “Barbie! How you doing?”
“Shut up and fix your attitude,” I said. “And when you do that fix your nose next, because it’s a little broken.” I hurried off and tried to catch up with Lyn, but failed. Once I saw her in our first period class, she mouthed an apology to me. I nodded my head and accepted it. I didn’t blame her for running off before John and Ephraim fought. I was a big girl and could take care of myself.
After I survived the first few periods it was finally time for my art class. I practically ran, trying to get there before Ephraim went into the dark room. I made it before anyone else did, so I went in and found Ephraim in there hanging photos. They were beautiful. Pictures of his sister, the lake, deer, and me. I stopped and stared at the picture of me he took weeks ago. I had left the lake with him, and he snapped a picture of me as I walked away. It was full of light even though it was nearly dark at that time of day. I looked sort of sad; I remembered I didn’t want to walk away from him that day.
“Hey, sorry for leaving you alone out there this morning. Lynley and I feel terrible.” He leaned against the sink and pulled off his gloves. “If I didn’t get out of there fast I don’t know what I would’ve done.”
“It’s okay, really, I’m not upset. John tried to talk to me but I pretty much told him to fix his ugly face.” I smiled and leaned against the developer, directly across from him.
“You did? That’s awesome!” We laughed at my admission. It was pretty hilarious. John was a self-obsessed jerk and he needed to be told off
by a pretty girl. I knew no girl at this school would do it, so it had to be me.
“Brylee, you’re pretty cool. I like having you around at times like that. It was really hard not to laugh when you told him off at the diner.”
“Yeah, that’s me always good for a joke. I don’t like guys like him, he needed to be knocked down a peg.” We stood there looking at each other for a few brief minutes, before Ephraim turned and checked his other pictures.
“Your pictures are really fascinating, Ephraim. I love the one of me.” I worried I sounded a little conceited. “I just like all the light you captured, that’s all. Not that I like myself.”
“Why wouldn’t you like yourself? You are beautiful.” He turned and stood right in front of me. So close I could see his bright blue eyes even in the red glow of the light bulb. “The picture isn’t full of light, you are.” I raised my eyes and now we were face-to-face with one another. My heart pounded, I was nervous for some reason. His lips were so full and his dimple directly below it was adorable. I wanted to kiss him so badly, I thought about it constantly. I wanted to kiss him the day I met him and every second since.
He tucked my hair behind my ear gently and lifted my chin, sending chills down my body. Then he met my lips with his and I closed my eyes. He pressed me up against the developer with his body and we kissed. I melted under his embrace, like ice cream in summer. He yanked away, too soon in my opinion, so I pulled him down and kissed him again. Then the bell rang and I realized I would be late for art if I didn’t leave. Darn it!
“You better get to class, you don’t need detention again,” Ephraim said with a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
“Yeah, we don’t need that again. See you after class.” I walked out in a daze, but I knew it was best to act natural. I didn’t want him to know how much his kiss overcame me, even though I had a feeling it affected him too. I could feel it in his lips, because they quivered a little.
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