Chapter 19

"Who's got an appetite? Ordered some MacDonald's"

Eric watched his brother's girlfriend enter the room. She was dragging two white nylon filled with the meals in both hands.

He had lost his appetite. He had been quiet since forever but his brother had been on his neck.

His brother had been pulling the pranks on him. The familiar pranks, but he hadn't been biting off them. He wasn't the man he used to be. He was becoming a stranger in his own house.

How technical and odd that could be.

The lady, whom he had been told to be Joyce began to hand the MacDonald's to each of them.

"Y'all go grab some drinks for yourself. I ain't a workaholic."

She said and swung into the other chair her boyfriend was seated in.

Eric was kinda intrigued by the way Joyce was blending in so easily with the family.

Ishbelle could never be like that. He was sure. If she were alive, she'd been some crazy bitch who would often have a duel with her mother-in-law.

"Eric's gonna have his MacDonald too, else imma have to feed him myself."

She said looking at the remaining folks for their approval.

Eric was glad that he had such a family. His mother was there for him. Two of his friends from college, his brother, Joyce, and few other come-and-go neighbors.

None of them folks was in for her jokes. She wasn't moved too. She seemed rather too carefree to be crushed by whatever anybody had to say about her. Or think about her.

She stood up from where she was and walked over to Eric.

Eric was seated on the two-seater. His arms were folded over his chest. He had been having some funny dreams lately but had kept it to himself.

The last one had been about him having a wedding ceremony with Ishbelle.

He didn't want to complicate the meaning to that. They could had wedded for real if not for the crazy thieves. He still couldn't fathom how the whole thing happened and why the thieves came.

And the most annoying part of it all was the fact that the police men were not helping the situation.

"Eric, here's yours."

She said, unfolding his arms. She was sweet, he appreciated that but he had his choice to make.

"Drop it on the table, I'll eat later."

"Eat now, Eric, now, boy. Com'on"

His mom said with a little touch of the black American accent.

"Yes, my boy."

His brother added. He looked at him. He smiled. He thought of how lucky his brother was. If it hadn't been because of the whole mess, he could beaten him to pulp.

"Or you mind if I feed you?"

He shook his head and smiled. He took the MacDonald and took a bite.

It tasted like a sour honey. What used to taste like the best dessert he'd ever had.

He hadn't had anything great since past few weeks. He had been living off cups of tea and coffees.

"There you go."

She said and stood up from him. Then there came a knock on the door.

All them folks in the house turned to him.

"Expecting anyone?"

He stared back sharing his gaze amongst them all with the "no" but rude gaze.

"I'll just get the door. "

Joyce stood up and swayed towards the door.

A part of Eric was glad that she was around.