07. A Month With The Jacksons

A month with the Jacksons

\/\/\/••ERIC••/\/\/\

It’s been two weeks ever since dad returned from the mission break and he has been home with us. Everyone takes care of Erica like she is some puppy, kitty. Even worst, they treat her like she is some fragile egg.

Especially after the stunt that was pulled by the Jacksons.

“Be careful honey. There is a stone right in front of you.” Dad will tell for Erica not to stumble upon ordinary rocks, the small stones.

“Baby that road has lots of ants. Please don’t use it.” Aunt Seville will say. The most awkward of them all is when did she ever start to call Erica, “baby”?

I was feeling left out and a little jealous. It was of course very normal for Rica to get all the attention since she was the one getting married to Rein Jackson and not me. It almost felt like I should rip her apart from limb to limb and send Rein Jackson to a planet out of the milky way galaxy, a frozen planet.

I dared not to complain because everyone will tell me of how it was a norm and a tradition to treat their soon to be married daughters as their eggs before they ever get married.

Worst still, Rein had been coming almost everyday to the house, and most of the times, he was coming to see me. I bet he told Erica about my warning because she doesn’t get angry when her man is not showing her the attention that he normally is to show her.

Sometimes she will tell me of how jealous she is. “You know, I am very jealous of you.” She told me one day and I looked at her, totally confused by what she was telling me.

“Rein comes home everyday just go see you and he hardly comes to visit me.” I hiss but not to her hearing and roll away my eyes. Yeah! Tell me about how you both will meet each time and catch up lost time. I wanted to explode to her but I didn’t.

Besides, it was somehow good to hear. Weird, right!

“Anyhow, we make up for the time he spends here at home, sooooo...” I know what she is talking about but...

What is this I feel?

Like I’m been betrayed and cheated on.

It sounds weird but I get jealous every time Erica mentions the quality time she spends with Rein.

“You love your twin's fiancé.” A voice whispered and I looked up, looking around to see no one and I sighed in relief.

Shut it, damn mind!

However, life was good especially with dad around until one day..

“You’re leaving? It’s only been two weeks, Sam.” I heard a yell and went towards the noise. It was aunt Seville. She was travelling abroad with her husband and kids but where was dad now going to now. I saw her in tears while dad was holding a travelling bag in his hands.

What is the meaning of this?

“Dad!” I called out a little unsure of what is going on. Even though, I had a little understanding. Dad was still called up for a mission but what I don’t understand is why he chose to go than stay with us.

“Talk things out with your son.” She walked out of the gate and dad just stood there looking at the gate. I bet he didn’t have the courage to speak to me.

I know as a man, I shouldn’t be upset but I just can’t help but feel sad that he is leaving.

“Look, I would have stayed. But being a soldier, fighting for the peace of this nation is the only way I can keep my family at peace. I am so sorry son. I wanted to tell you guys the day I came but you all were so happy. I couldn’t ruin Erica's engagement by telling you guys that I wasn’t home to stay.” He sighed and stopped.

“So when are you coming back?” I asked dad.

“I...

“Dad!” Erica came in with Rein, the last person I wanted to see at the moment.

Although, I just couldn’t take my eyes off him. He looked awesome in the red long jacket he wore on his turtle neck, body hugging white shirt and a black pair of tight fitting jeans. He wore on his feet a red pair of high sneakers, making him look so classic.

What am I thinking? This guy is a rich kid, so what was I expecting of him?

His lips looked like he added a little gloss to make it shine and both his ears were adorned with earrings of different types. He packed his hair all to the back, letting a few tiny strands fall on his face.

He looked sexy in his dress attire especially when he walked inside the compound. It felt as time was on a slow motion as he walked in, turning his head slowly like some celebrity on TV. I found myself blinking once, twice, thrice, a fourth time and then...

“Eric! Eric!” Someone shook me so hard that I tripped and almost fell but I regained balance immediately and looked around confused.

Were they saying something that I missed out on?

“You were spacing out, Eric. What is going on?” She asked but my eyes were focused on Rein and his hands locked in hers.

“Dad is leaving. That is what is going on. Aunt Seville just left. She will be going abroad. Finally, this house will just contain you and I.” I blurt out everything from my mind.

“Do you really have to go?” She asks dad who says nothing to her.

She turns and looks at me as if about to say something that will hurt my feelings. “I too am leaving the house.”

“What?” Both dad and I exclaim. We look at each other and turn back to her.

The situation is almost funny but what she said is not funny at all. So everything cancels out.

“I am leaving for the Jacksons. Rein's mom said, since the both of us will be getting married soon, that it is only wise that I come and live with them in their house, while preparing for the wedding.”

Married, wedding! Those two words get me soured all of a sudden to my surprise.

“Rica, you can’t go and live there? Who will stay with Ric?”

“Dad I am fine, ok. I don’t need anybody to think of me as a little baby that they are to take care of. I will be just fine. Rica, you can go and don’t bother about me.” I say to them, although I didn’t mean it at all.

I watch as Rica's lips twitch happily but it doesn’t sit well with me at all. All these! The memories we share... She was ready to just give it up to go and spend some time with her husband to be. She didn’t care about me. We are twins for God’s sake and yet she is acting as if we are just mere siblings. Is that really what she thinks about me? I thought we are meant to be together.

As of now I wonder. If my girlfriend were to leave her twin, to come stay with me, will I accept?

It just feels like she is willing to ruin her family bonds for her selfish sake.

“Out of question.”

“What.”

“What?” I exclaim immediately after Erica. What is dad meaning by that now?

“You can’t leave your brother here for God knows what time and be at your fiancé's house.”

“But Eric is not complaining, is he?” Her sharp voice interrupted and I looked a little dazed. For a second, it’s like she doesn’t want me around.

“I'm sorry but if you don’t mind, Eric could come along and live with us. It’s just a month anyways.”

Huh!

Me!

Stay a month with the Jacksons? Why do I feel like it is a terrible idea?