Brain Fog

Feeling famished, I followed Shay's mom into the kitchen, and she turned to face me. "Gerard is gone for the evening, but I'll be glad to make you something." She turned to face the kitchen and moved her fingers, wondering what to do next, clearly out of her element.

"That's okay, Mom. I can do it."

I smiled when she awkwardly patted my shoulder. "Very well, dear. I'll be in the drawing room, should you need me." Then she quickly darted out before I changed my mind. It was clear that Shay's mother had been used to delegating and managing rather than doing things herself.

I smiled, shaking my head. As caring and outgoing as Shay was, I wondered where she got it from. Obviously, her mother limited her affection. Or maybe, she just never knew how to exhibit it. Looking through the huge refrigerator, I settled on making a fresh turkey sandwich and pulled out the turkey, mayonnaise, lettuce, and a tomato, and set everything on the kitchen table. Then I found some fresh bread and sat in the closest chair to get down to work.

"So, you decided not to do it?"

I jumped and looked up to see a guy walk in. Instantly, I knew it was Shay's brother, even though she had never told me she had one. "Renn! So sorry! You scared me to death!"

He looked at me as if I were crazy, pulled out a chair, and sat kitty-corner from me. "So, what are you doing?"

I shrugged. "Making a sandwich."

He smirked as one corner of his lips curled into a smile. "Since when do you cook?"

I burst out laughing. "Well, I hardly call making a sandwich cooking. Want one?"

He nodded. "Sure. Why not? But I'll get it."

I shook my head. "No. I'll make it." I placed four slides of bread on a plate and then added mayonnaise.

He looked around and then leaned in conspiratorially. "So, you decided not to go through with it?" he repeated.

"What are you talking about?" I cut the fresh turkey and laid the slices on the bread.

"You know," he replied. "The abortion."

I scoffed. "You know about that?"

He scrunched up his nose as a crease formed between his eyes. "Of course! I tried to talk you out of it last night, but you said that your mind was made up." He shook his head in disbelief.

"Oh! Yeah... right." I waved my hand toward my head. "Brain fog."

"Brain what?" He shook his head. "What's wrong with you? You're acting so strangely."

"Never mind," I replied, knowing I would have to watch it before he suspected that something was up. "Well... getting back to your question... I changed my mind."

"Why?" It was clear that he cared deeply for his sister. I wondered why Shay had never mentioned him before.

I handed him a sandwich and then kept the other for myself and sighed. "I knew that if I did it, I would regret it forever."

Suddenly, Stellan appeared in the chair across from Renn on the other side of the table, kitty-corner from me. "Before, he had disowned Shay for going through with the abortion and never spoke to her again."

I nodded, unable to respond with Renn there.

Renn reached over and gave my hand a gentle squeeze, claiming my attention. It was obvious that he couldn't see Stellan. "Shay, you're doing the right thing. And no matter what Mom and Dad say, I'll be here for you. I want to help."

I nodded, clasping his hand. "Thank you." Then I pulled back, eying the delicious sandwich on the plate. "But right now... enough of the heavy. Let's eat!" I lifted the sandwich and took a huge bite, groaning with delight.

"Oh, now that's attractive," Stellan teased.

I waved my hand dismissively at him. "Stop it."

"Stop what?" Renn looked across the table but saw nothing.

"Keep that up and he's going to think you're crazy." Stellan smirked, reaching for a piece of turkey. I slapped his hand, but to Renn, it obviously appeared that I was slapping at the air.

"What is wrong with you?" Renn asked, looking at me as if I had four heads.

I sighed, standing to put away the food. "I'm sorry. Just tired, I guess. I'll eat this in my room if you don't mind." After I put away the turkey, I stood behind him and wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him in for a hug. "Thanks for everything."

Renn nodded and then rose to his feet and gently kissed the top of my head. "Don't tell them without me. I want to be there."

I nodded. "Thanks, Renn."

I started to put everything else away, but he took it from me. "Go to bed and get some sleep. I'll clean this up."

I nodded, smiling. "Thanks, Renn." I would have objected, but I thought it would be best if I got away from him as quickly as possible before he thought that I had lost my mind from talking to Stellan. I took the plate along with a glass of iced tea and headed down the hallway.

"Good work."

I whipped around and it was Stellan again. "Man! You are going to have to stop popping in and out like that! You're scaring the tar out of me!"

Renn peeked his head around the corner from the kitchen. "Who are you talking to, sis?"

"Umm... no one."

"Thanks a lot," Stellan teased.

"Stop it!" I stage-whispered to him.

"Oh-kay," Renn said, drawing out the word. "I think you really need to rest. See you in the morning."

I hurried down the hallway with Stellan hot on my heels. "You're going to have to stop doing that to me! People are going to think I'm crazy!"

He smirked as he opened Shay's bedroom door for me and turned on the lights. Obviously, he could move things in this realm but couldn't be seen by anyone but me.

"I'm afraid you don't need my help for that." Stellan chuckled as he stretched out across Shay's bed.

"Thanks a lot." I set the plate and iced tea on the small table and I sat at one of the two chairs, settling in to eat. "Get off my bed." He looked too good laying there like that, propped up on one elbow.

He raised an eyebrow. "Why? Does it bother you?"

"No," I lied, taking a bite of my sandwich. It tasted delicious. I was so famished that I could have ate the plate, too. "I wonder why I'm so hungry."

"Shay hadn't eaten anything all day, worried about tonight, remember?" Stellan asked.

Then it all came back to me. "It's funny. Some things come into my mind right away, and other things I have to concentrate on."

Stellan shrugged. "Brain fog."

I scoffed. "Yeah, right."

Even though he was the most annoying person I'd ever met, I couldn't imagine going through this without him. I just hoped I never had to.