Just Three Words

by Melissa Brayden

  “You’re here!” Hunter turned at the exuberant sound of her mother’s voice and folded herself into the open arms she saw waiting for her just a few feet away. Her mother was quite a bit shorter than she was, but won the award for the best hugs on the planet. She savored the safety she felt when enveloped in one.

  “Hi, Mama. I promised you I’d be here, didn’t I?”

  “You did, and you’re here. How was the flight? Did they serve a meal?”

  “It was fine, and no. They don’t really do that anymore.”

  Her mother shook her head. “That’s horrible. Someone should write a letter.” She’d released Hunter from the hug, but still had a firm hold on her arm. That was the thing about her mom, once she got Hunter home, it was like she couldn’t stop touching her to make sure she was really there. Hunter complained about it as a formality, but deep down it made her happy. “Let’s go say hello to your father. I think the crowds make him uncomfortable.”

  Yeah, well, what didn’t?

  Her mother led the way through the throngs of party guests, stopping to point out Hunter’s arrival to all they passed. Friends and neighbors of her parents gushed about how grown up she now was and exaggerated about how pretty she’d turned out. She smiled and hugged and said the appropriate thank-yous, all the while dreading the moment that was fast approaching. To distract herself, she took in the colorful decorations, birthday-themed mostly, but with the ever-present Hawaiian luau accents on the side. Clearly, her mother and Claire had raided some contrasting aisles at Party City—pretty typical of any Blair gathering.

  As they approached her father at the front of the room, he was talking to a man Hunter vaguely recognized as a former serviceman—one of his cronies from the good old days. He’d aged, her father. That was the thing that jumped out at her most. The hair that on her visit just last year had been salt-and-pepper was now entirely white. The lines impressed upon his face had deepened as well. It was a startling realization when your parents aged. Her father turned in their direction, and after only a minor pause, went back to his conversation. Nice. Inside, she laughed wryly. How very Richard Blair of him.

  “Rich, say hello to Hunter. She flew in for your birthday.”

  For her mother’s benefit, she played the part. “Happy birthday, Dad.”

  “Thank you, Hunter. You look well. I’m glad you made the trip.” Also for her mother’s part. The crony, whoever he was, grinned warmly in her direction.

  “I remember when you came up to here,” he said, indicating a spot close to his hip. The man opened his arms and pulled Hunter into a full-on embrace. “It’s so good to see you, sweetheart.” She accepted the warm hug, noting the irony. This stranger was overjoyed to see her, while her own father could barely be bothered to glance in her direction. He stood there, clearly uncomfortable and unsure what to do about it as the man released her. Hell, it was his birthday. Why not throw the old guy a bone and let him off the hook?

  “I’m going to go find Kevin,” she told the men, slipping away effectively with her mother at her side. Once they were a safe distance away, her mom squeezed her arm. “You did good, Hunter. It was the right thing to do to come to the party, and he will remember this. That you were here.”

  “Look, Mama, I came for you. Because I love you and it’s what you wanted. You’ve been both mother and father to me for a while now. Let’s be real about that.” The smile that had been on her mother’s lips just moments before had dimmed noticeably, and Hunter was sorry to have been the cause. “But I don’t want to concentrate on any of that. I’m here now, and I want to spend time with you and Claire and Kevin.”

  Her mother nodded, and it seemed like something else was on her mind. “About your brother…”

  “What about him?”

  “He’s had a rough time lately. I was hoping your visit might help to cheer him up.”

  “Cheer who up?” Claire asked. “Mama, the McElroys are leaving and want to say good-bye.”

  “On my way,” her mother said. “Will you find Kevin so Hunter can say hello?” she asked Claire. At the mention of their brother’s name, Claire sighed audibly. “He’s out back. He pulled off his tie and tossed it in the Dumpster.”

  Seemed a little extreme. “How do I get there?” Hunter asked. Claire pointed at an unmarked door at the back of the room.

  “Maybe you’ll have some luck. I’m done trying for tonight. Have you seen Chip? I want to slow dance.” Hunter pointed across the room at her rather preppy brother-in-law. “There’s that handsome guy. Remind me to tell you later some tricks I learned.”

  Hunter blinked at her sister. “Tricks?”

  “In the bedroom, silly. Good stuff, too. We use props now. It’s revived us in a big way.”

  Hunter was instantly uncomfortable at the thought of her sister and Chip going at it, but did her best to push aside the upsetting visuals in favor of sisterly support. “Can’t wait,” she said, forcing a smile. Claire winked and took off in search of said husband as Hunter tried to erase that conversation from her brain forever and always. Claire had always been a bit of an over-sharer.

  Hunter followed Claire’s directions to the back of the club. She couldn’t wait to see the little rugrat, knock him in the head, and work their secret handshake. Smiling, she pushed through the door to the outside and found herself on the loading dock where three boys stood together in conglomeration. Dark hair, dark clothes, and yep, that was eyeliner. Goth kids, perfect. “Hey, guys. Have you seen Kevin?”

  The three regarded her with what could best be described as bored tolerance. “What?” the one in the middle asked, totally uninterested in the question. He had his hair spiked, his eyebrow pierced, and dark makeup that made him look a little bit like the undead, but that was her brother all right. Good God. What had happened to that happy-go-lucky smiler she’d seen just under a year ago?

  “Hey, Kevin,” she said smiling. “You’re not even going to hug me? It’s been forever.”

  “My sister,” he said with mild annoyance to his friends. “Text me.”

  The other two scary kids mumbled some sort of assent and took off into the night. Kevin turned to face her before his eyes settled on the ground. “Hey.” He was much taller now and his voice was an entire octave lower. It was more than a little shocking. He made no move to hug her, so she completed the distance herself and wrapped her arms around him in what had to be the most awkward hug in history. He was easily her height and probably not done growing.

  “I can’t believe how much older you look.” Usually, this would be the point where Kevin would grin in triumph as he was always trying to impress her. Except for now, when he couldn’t care less.

  “Yeah, well, time is real.”

  Time is real? Interesting. He was fixated on the door behind her and she understood that he was counting the seconds until she’d leave him alone. Hunter remembered what Claire had said. She’d given up on him. She remembered her mother’s imploring look to talk to Kevin. Clearly, there had been some changes in her brother over the course of the last year, and they weren’t all physical. Some were to be expected. Teenagers acted out. Hell, she did. But this was something else entirely. The kid looked like he hated the world. She wasn’t about to give up, though. “So when did you start wearing eyeliner?”

  “When did you?”

  Fair enough question despite the fact that his face gave off a lot of scorn. “Fifteen or so, I guess. I didn’t mean that as judgment. Just curious.”

  “Cool.” He looked away.

  “How’s school going?”

  “Fine.”

  “You still playing soccer?” She was grappling here. One-word answers seemed to be Kevin’s new thing.

  “Nope.” Okay, no soccer? Now that really was a red flag. Soccer was Kevin’s entire life. He played it incessantly. Had posters on his wall of his favorite players. It was rare you saw the kid without a soccer ball under his arm.

  “What do you mean you’re not playing soccer? Why
did you quit?”

  He shook his head in disgust, which just upset her further.

  “Okay, what’s with the look? I’m struggling to understand what’s going on with you, kid, but you’re not giving me much.”

  “Doesn’t matter.” He walked past her for the door.

  “Well, it does to me.”

  He shrugged. “That’s gotta suck.” It was the last thing he said to her as the door closed and he disappeared into the club.

  Hunter was thrown. She didn’t know who that chip-on-his-shoulder, hate-the-world teenager was, but it certainly wasn’t the younger brother she knew and loved. She shook her head and stared out at the Ohio night sky. She should have been here more. Screw her father and the way he made her feel. Why did she let that dictate the relationship she had with the rest of her family? Her brother was a mess. Her sister had washed her hands of it. And her mother, bless her, was doing everything in her power to hold them all together. And what had she done? Ignored them for the past year? Only visited a handful of times since college? Hunter knew with painstaking clarity how selfish she had been, and she hated herself for it.

  With renewed determination, she found her sister inside the club. “How long has he been like this?”

  Claire looked suddenly tired and uncomfortable. She’d never done well with conflict and preferred to think the world was a happy, shiny place for all to live. “The black clothes hit about six months ago and the attitude was shortly behind them.”

  “Do you think it’s just a passing fixation or is it worse? Is he into drugs?”

  Claire shrugged. “It’s not like he’d tell me. I offered to take him for ice cream to talk, but he pretty much ignored me.”

  “Ice cream, Claire? Are you kidding me? Have you seen the kid?”

  Claire’s shoulders sagged. “What? I was trying to help.”

  And she was. She was simply ill-equipped. “What does Mom say?”

  “She’s concerned, but she’s letting Dad handle it.”

  Had Hunter heard that correctly? “I’m sorry. Dad? Since when has Dad ever handled anything?”

  Claire glanced quickly around to see who might have overheard. “First of all, keep your voice down. Second of all, he’s really been trying lately. And Kevin responds to him. Well, as much as Kevin can respond to anyone.”

  She had to laugh, because really? “Somehow I just can’t imagine that happening.”

  “He’s not all bad, Hunter. No one is all one thing. Maybe it’s because his health has not been so great, but I’ve noticed a big change in Dad. He’s taken an interest in us, and I for one am not going to deny him because of the past. Life is too short. If he wants to turn over a new leaf, let him.”

  “Well, that’s bullshit,” Hunter said.

  Claire studied her. “You really hate him, don’t you?”

  How was she supposed to answer that? “I’m not a fan. No.”

  “For Mom’s sake, I hope you at least try.” Claire headed off to the cake where the guests were preparing to sing “Happy Birthday” to the man of the hour. Hunter scanned the room for Kevin, but he was nowhere to be found.

  *

  The next morning when Hunter awoke, the smell of bacon and fresh coffee had her smiling before she even opened her eyes. She was home. Her mom was big on breakfast. What she hadn’t planned on was the set table she encountered once she’d showered and come downstairs. “What’s all this?” she asked.

  Her mother smiled. “There’s my girl.” She came around the counter and placed a kiss on Hunter’s cheeks. “I do think you’re even more pretty than the last time you visited.”

  “Sweet of you to say, but the genes came from somewhere.”

  Her mother smiled at the thought and pointed her spatula at Hunter. “You’re right. I’m pretty good-lookin’ myself.” She turned back to the sizzling bacon and flipped a strip. “I’m bringing sexy back.”

  Hunter laughed, nearly spilling the orange juice she poured. “I can’t believe you just said that.”

  The back door opened and Claire entered with Chip and their four-year-old twins, Connor and Christopher. The little guys high-fived Hunter on their way into the living room where their “grandma toys” were stashed behind the couch, always waiting for their visits.

  “Good morning, everyone!” Chip enthused. He tended to speak in exclamation points, which Hunter found amusing.

  “Morning, Chip,” Hunter answered. “Mom’s cooking for us. Fancy breakfast time.”

  “I can hardly wait!” He stared off into the living room, his eyes wide. “Christopher, don’t hit your brother with that lamp. That’s what your grandmother uses to see.” Oh, the joys of parenting.

  Claire took the seat next to Hunter at the table and leaned in. “Last night was Star Wars role play,” she whispered in her ear.

  “What does that mean?” Hunter asked. Claire raised her eyebrows a couple of times pointedly until the meaning of the phrase came into focus. Hunter resisted a blatant face palm and instead nodded and smiled, now picturing her sister in Princess Leia mode against her will. “Sounds awesome.”

  “If you want the rules of role play, I have them. They’re quite simple. Though you’ll need to identify the aggressor. Last night, it was Chip. Tonight is my turn.”

  God save her from this conversation. “You know, I’m good on rules for now. But I’ll certainly let you know if I change my mind.”

  Claire winked at her and went about helping their mother finish up breakfast while Hunter poured juice for the rest of the table. Fifteen minutes later, they were all gathered. Even Kevin, who begrudgingly emerged from his room, again wearing black jeans several sizes too large and a metal spiked wristband. He set to eating his eggs without so much as a glance at anyone else.

  “Hunter, how are things at the Savvy agency these days?” her mother asked.

  “Busy. We had a few projects shuffle, and I think we’re just trying to keep up.”

  Her father looked up from his plate. “I read an article about the company online. A piece in Time Out.”

  Hold the phone. Her father had not only spoken directly to her, but shown enough interest as to Google her company? Had hell frozen over and she missed the memo? She didn’t know what his angle was, but she really didn’t care. “Yeah, we’re doing well.”

  But apparently he wasn’t done. “Do you foresee expansion into any kind of investor relations?”

  “What the hell do you care?” Okay, it was harsh, but it was what came out.

  All eyes swiveled to her, including the four-year-olds’. “Hunter,” Claire said quietly.

  “Sorry, was that too candid?”

  Her father looked mildly uncomfortable. “It’s okay. I was just curious about the business. But we can…talk about something else.”

  As the conversation picked up around them, it was clear that the others had shifted into overdrive to cover the less-than-successful exchange. Everyone was extra nice and polite, as if setting an example for what breakfast conversation should sound like. Hunter busied herself with her plate, feeling guilty for making the rest of the room uncomfortable. But not for how she’d addressed her father, the same man who told her she was an embarrassment when she’d taken her first girlfriend home—this after not having acknowledged her existence for years prior.

  Her mother caught her eye as she ate and smiled. She had a way of doing that. Centering Hunter when she needed it. And it helped to pull her back into the fold of things. She watched her brother for a moment. “Plans today, Kevin?”

  He looked up, seeming almost shocked to have been spoken to. “Don’t know.”

  “I was going to head to the air show on base later,” her father said to him. “You can go with me if you want.”

  Kevin nodded at his food. “Yeah. Cool. What time?”

  “Couple of hours,” her father said. “Hunter, any interest?”

  She felt like she’d stepped into the Twilight Zone. She made sure to answer with civility she didn’t
actually feel this time. “No, I have a flight late this afternoon. I’ll stay here with Mom. Catch up.”

  He nodded and went back to his food.

  Strangest visit home ever.

  *

  Samantha shuffled through the puzzle pieces looking for the one that showed three-fourths of the blue window awning. It was Sunday afternoon. Hunter had gotten in from Ohio late the night before, and this was the first chance they’d had to talk about her trip. “So, do you think he was extending some sort of olive branch?”

  Hunter handed her the piece she sought. “That’s the thing, I have no idea. For my father, any kind of interest in my life is uncharted territory. But at this point, it’s unwelcome.”

  Sam stopped her work on the puzzle and looked at Hunter. It was clear the trip had her in a weird place. “Maybe don’t be so quick to say that.”

  Hunter balked. “Really? You know what he’s like.”

  Sam shrugged. “Yeah, but people change. Maybe he’s trying.”

  Hunter moved to the couch, clearly in contemplative mode. “Claire said his health hasn’t been so great. And he looked older. Much.”

  “So maybe that’s it. Maybe whatever is going on with him physically has him rethinking the way he’s treated his kids all these years. I’m not saying that you should race into his proverbial open arms, but think about keeping your mind open for down the road.”

  Hunter met her eyes. “Not sure I can do that. But enough about him.” She dropped her palms onto her knees with a slap. “What have I missed? How have you been? What have you worn?”

  Samantha smiled at the questions, genuinely happy to have Hunter home. She’d been surprised at just how much she’d missed her while she’d been gone. The apartment felt lonely, but not just for anyone. She abandoned the puzzle and came to sit on the arm of the couch. “Well, Elvis and I entered into a bit of a crossword puzzle competition. He was woefully second place. But in better news, he won the sustained eye contact competition that followed, hands down.”

  Hunter leaned down and scratched Elvis under his chin. “She’s telling lies about you. We both know you rock at crosswords.” Elvis whined quietly in response. He’d stuck close to Sam while Hunter was away, even sleeping next to her bed. But it was obvious now, as he refused to leave Hunter’s side, that he was thrilled she was home. Something they both agreed on. “Hey, are we okay?” Hunter asked.