Dead Silent – Chapter 5 – Story

What?s Abela?s favorite band? My cousin Ellie asked me. “I have no clue what to get her for her birthday.”
I raised my eyebrows. “You?re going to her birthday party? I thought you couldn?t stand her.” I plopped down on Ellie?s fuzzy egg chair and crossed my legs.

She shrugged. “I know she?s your best friend. And she must?ve invited me for a reason, right? So what?s her favorite band?”

“Blood on the Dance Floor,” I answered. “But excellent luck finding a CD by them in any store.”
“Ew, she likes Blood on the Dance Floor? Why?”
“I don?t know. She?s usually into pop music, but she thinks their lyrics are hilarious. So you could also try any currently big pop artist.” I shrugged, trying to suggest another gift. “You could get her a sketch pad or some thing; she?s always drawing. Or any beauty or clothing product.”

“Yeah, I?ll probably appear for an Aeropostale shirt and pick up a couple of things from Bath and Body Works. Sound okay?”
I nodded. “She wears a medium.”

“Jeez, Katrina. Do you realize everything about her?” Said Ellie having a laugh. I mistakenly took her seriously, though, and replied having a simple nod. She laughed again, rolling her eyes. “I figured.”
“Well, you asked,” I blamed, bringing my knees to my chest. “My mom will probably be here soon. I should go wait outside.”

“Agh, alright. Thanks for coming more than, anyway. It means a lot to me.” She gave me a hug as soon as I stood up. I smiled, hugging her back. I slung my bag more than my shoulder, heading out of Ellie?s room and out the door to wait for my mom. Taking a seat on the porch swing, I gently rocked back and forth as I waited for her to arrive.

Finally, her silver Toyota Corolla pulled into the driveway and honked twice. I jumped off of the swing and hurried out to the car, climbing in the passenger seat speedily without saying a word.

My mom and I have never ever been close. Ever given that my brother Jeff moved out, she?s acted differently around me. We used to at least have typical conversations, even if we weren?t very close – now, it?s just awkward small talk.

Jeff was one of the many things we?d silently agreed not to mention. Unless he was about to visit or had called, Jeff was just too heartbreaking to hold a conversation about. He?d moved out six years ago after that phone call he?d received from a music producer. I still remember hearing that call on the voicemail almost every day – Jeff was so excited about it that he kept it on the answering machine for weeks. He?d play it almost every day to give himself confidence and hope. 3 along with a half weeks after he?d received that call, and he was out of the house and our lives.

“Jeff called,” I blurted, trying to start a conversation with my mother. As soon as the words had been out of my mouth, I regretted what I said. How cruel and selfish was that to lie about my brother, who in no way visits and very rarely calls, just to start a conversation?

Mom?s eyes lit up as she began to appear at me, then remembering to focus on the road.
“Really?” She asked in a surprised tone. “While you had been at Ellie?s?”
I nodded. “He said he?d call you sometime soon, and he really wants to tell you about how his DJ career has been going.” I smiled, even though I didn?t feel the happiness that should?ve been behind that smile.

I could see how ecstatic she was on the inside, even though she tried to hide it on the outside. “Okay, I?ll keep my phone close by.” She beamed. Shit, I thought. I?m going to have to get a hold of Jeff and get him to call Mom sometime soon. I really don?t want to break her heart.

No one else knew this, but Jeff and I emailed each other regularly. Being a famous DJ now, he checked his email very often for job offers and such. So, of course, he always expected my emails along with business partners? now. Every day I could go online and see a new email from him. Sometimes, if I replied in the right time, we?d be able to have a brief conversation in one night. It felt great to be able to still talk to him, even if my parents couldn?t.

As soon as Mom pulled into the driveway to drop me off at home, I gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and scurried out of the car. I tossed the keys into the lock and let myself into the house, immediately going to the computer and pulling up my email to send Jeff a quick message.

“Hey! Sorry to send you another email, but this is crucial. You need to call Mom. I told her she should be expecting a call from you sometime soon, and she seemed really excited. Oh, and make sure you have some big career news to tell her, because I kind of told her that, too. I?m so sorry about this. I really do think you should call her sometime, though; you realize the fact that you?ve been away for so long already breaks her heart, you should at least call. Very good luck with your DJing, really like you! – Katrina.”

I brought my mouse up to the “Send” button and clicked it, waiting for it to finish sending before closing the browser and taking a seat on the couch.

Picking up the remote from another cushion, I flipped by way of the channels emptily. Suddenly, I heard a beeping sound from the computer. I rushed more than to it, pulling up my email once again.

“Hey, Katrina! I?m so sorry I haven?t had a chance to call in a while, but I definitely will soon. Not just for Mom, but for Dad? and you! You have no idea how much I miss you all. I?m sorry, I haven?t been able to visit in a while, either. I?ve been so busy lately, and I?m a little stressed. I?ll be stopping by to spend the Christmas with you guys this year (that?s one thing I have to appear forward to!). How awesome is that? Finally, that holiday club found someone else to DJ when I?m not there, so I?ll be able to spend certain holidays with you. I?m really excited to see you again. Here?s another awesome thing that?s coming up: my manager just told me he?s trying to get me a deal using a worldwide DJ. Do you think it could be you-know-who? I?d best not say his name – it could ruin my chances. Hopefully you realize who I?m talking about though.

Anyway, my career has been very good lately. I?m trying to get an endorsement deal soon, but right now it?s not really working out. It?ll come, though, I?m sure of it. Obtaining messages from you always make my day better. Thank you for always being here!
- Jeff.”

I sat there smiling in the computer screen like a total dork, realizing exactly what he was talking about with every sentence. I could actually feel the adore he?d put into this email, which I in no way could feel before. Right then, I?d suddenly become very excited for the holidays to come.

Posted in Baby Care Tips