Chapter 9

Upstairs,the McVenus cousins chatter about other things totally ignoring Irye's frustrated questions. Mavis enters and spots Irye sitting down idly watching her cousins tease each other and play around.

She fears for her siblings,the twins and her younger cousin Gerrard.The twenty three year old is three years older than Gerrard.Evie and Claude are the same age as Irye and very worrisome.Apart from Mavis, Evie has no other sister to teen talk with except Irye so she's become close to her since their arrival.

Claude on the other hand is annoying and self cautious but friendly. He likes Irye's personality and happens to like her to become his female friend. Another is Gerrard who is the most carefree among the three. The word carefree may even be an understatement for him. He is kind, jovial and always stir up a humorous atmosphere.

Mavis, the twins' protective sister who feels like shouldering all responsibilities available is the quiet but bold and hardworking type. She does everything there is so her family nicknamed her "family mom".

She walks slowly to Irye's bed and sits at the edge.

"H..How are you?"she stammers. The cousins except Irye stare at her amused.

"Since when did the almighty Mae begin stammering"Gerrard amuses. A smile draws in Irye's face while the others laugh hysterically.

"Am not sure if this is the same Mae we...."Gerrard is shut just by the look in Mae's eyes. That alone tells everyone to stop being on her business and not to mess with her.

"Get some rest, I will make you something to eat"Mae says to Irye and points at the three youngsters"You should come with me".

They leave Irye and she sun deeper into her bed smiling to herself.She can at least do that for her family.Smile at their jokes, answer their frivolous questions and feel comfortable around them. She falls into a slumber cage still tired from her current state.

"RING... RING...."The telephone interrupts the family busily watching a movie.With a bun, Gerrard goes to pick up.

"Hello? This is the McVenus house."he introduces.

"Where is mom?"a lousy voice lazily speaks.

"Am sorry where is who?"Gerrard confusedly asks.The other side of the line is quite for a moment.

"Mom"the person stresses then Gerrard quickly recognizes the voice.

"Oh...Uncle Richie! How are you? Grams is here. Would you like to speak with her?"

Richard stays silent in a matter of seconds and finally answers"Yeah am fine and I will like to speak with her...or wait..."Gerrard begins calling Grams before Richard could end.

"Hello?"Grams takes the phone.

"Err Mom, how are you doing?"Richard politely asks.

"Pretty well, You?"Grams answers sounding bored.

"Am fine ,thanks. I called to tell you we will be back from our trip tonight" says Richard. And as if feeling the frown on his mother's face,he continues,"Well we can't stay for long because of certain things I need to attend to and...it feels way too boring here so..."

"Okay"Grams interrupts."You don't need to bother me with explanations. Its fine". Richard takes a deep breath as though something heavy has been lifted from his head.

"Thanks."he says at last and says bye to his mom.

Grams hungs up and stares at the phone intently. She feels her son destroying on the inside, she is sorry for him. A reason being his alcoholic behavior and another being a nasty story she is stubborn to talk of. She soon joins the others and break the news to them.

The sun sets on the beautiful glass house of the Woods. Blake Wood, the only son of Margaret and John Wood watches a match with his two friends. A amount of popcorn drops anytime he claps for his team for playing well. Amber and Derrick are no exception. The three have fun on weekends, mostly at Blake's home since he's staying there alone. His parents are busy working to spend time with him. The 17 year old does whatever he wants with the house knowing there's no one to scold him.

He thinks of Irye midway. The two have become close for some time now. Blake shows all the affection he has for her but the girl hides even the smallest affection she feels once in some times from him. He tries to talk to her about her family and listens to her complains without criticising her.

Before their summer vacation,Blake with the intent of seeing Irye's house mistakingly sees another fight between Mirabel and Irye. He realizes the pain Irye is going through, why she rejects people and why she finds it hard to trust and befriend.

From that moment, he persuades Irye into opening up to him.

Blake smiles at the thought of being close to her and her little teases.

"Hey"Amber shakes him from his thoughts. He almost punches Amber acting on his defensive instincts.

"You so lucky"he sighs.

Amber chuckles and elbows him in a teasing way.

"What? Thinking of her?" Amber jokes and they all laugh, Derrick joining,tickling them as they play along.

That evening at the McVenus house,they sit for dinner. Irye is now awake from her sleep and comes down to join. Evie hugs Irye's arm as she sits. It's like she is still five. And unbelievably, Irye with her cold personality does not seem to mind. They are ready to dig in when they hear the bell. Gerrard stuffs that spoonful in his mouth angrily while Evie and Claude let out a stressful sigh.

Irye with that 'I don't care look' continues eating while the others turn their heads towards the door.

"It might be Richard and his family"Grams says before turning back to her food.

"But why would they ring the bell? It's not like they don't know the passcode"Evie says boringly and spoons food in her mouth.

"Let me check"Mae goes to open the door and there stands a woman with long black hair and aquarium eyes.