Safe With Us
Prologue
PROLOGUE
brIAN - AGE 24
M y parents have always loved to host parties, and my baby brother graduating high school was as good as any to throw a huge one. I made sure to fly up for a few days to watch him walk across the stage and celebrate this milestone with him. Of course, his partner in crime was there with him. I’m honestly not sure if Danny would have even graduated without Kelli. He’s not dumb, quite the opposite, but the whole classroom setting has never been his thing. He and Kelli graduated yesterday, and today is their party. Kelli’s mom didn’t plan anything for her, so my parents added her to this party, making her feel special like always.
“Can you sneak me one of those?” Danny leans against the deck railing next to me, pointing to my beer.
I eye him over the beer in my hand. “Nope.”
“So much for being the cool, big brother.” He rolls his eyes, looking over the yard and the people milling about, talking.
“Where’d Kelli go?” I ask, trying to keep my voice even and disinterested.
“Hiding under the tree. Her mom decided to work at the last minute and didn’t even show.”
My face twists up in anger. That girl has never asked for anything, and to have her mother ditch her, yet again, it wasn’t fair to Kelli. “I’ll go talk to her,” I say before heading around the yard, avoiding all my parent’s friends. I hate the awkward small talk they make and the ‘thank you for your service’ comments that I constantly get. I push some of the low-hanging willow branches to the side, and sure enough, Kelli is leaning back against the trunk, hiding under here, away from the world.
“Hey, Kel.” I sit down next to her bumping my shoulder into hers.
Her quiet voice wraps around me, “Hey, B.”
“Wanna tell me why you’re hiding under here when there’s a party in your honor happening just a few feet away?”
She adjusts the straps of her sundress. “It’s not really for me and we both know it, not that I don’t love and appreciate your parents for adding me into the mix. I’m just taking a moment to myself.”
Emotion wells up in my throat. Kelli has been around my family ever since she was six when Danny declared her his best friend. My parents have tried to show up for her when her mother didn’t and I have tried to look out for and protect her in the way a big brother should. But sitting here under the tree, seeing her in person for the first time in two years, she didn’t look like a little sister to me. She had a beautiful, light pink sundress with painted nails to match. Her blonde hair was curled beautifully around her head, but her blue eyes held a look beyond her eighteen years. They were sad and tired, yet were still the most striking thing I had ever seen.
I wanted to take away her pain, and while we were younger, I would have had no problem scooping her into my arms for a hug. Now, though, I felt like I couldn’t. Like it would be different. So, I tried to distract her instead, “Are you still thinking of going to nursing school? That’s what you mentioned the last time we talked.”
Her whole face lights up as she responds, “Yeah, I’m going to Boston College with Danny and doing the nursing program there. I’ve known for a long time that I wanted to be in a career field where I can help people, and nursing just feels right.”
“I am so proud of you. You’ve come so far from the little girl chasing Danny and I around the house, holding the snake you found in the garden.” Her abrupt laugh is husky and rolls through me.
“I forgot all about that!” She shrieks, burying her head in her hands.
“My mom was not happy,” I chuckle with her, “But look at you now. A beautiful and strong woman who is about to take the world by storm.” My fingers gravitate to her hair of their own accord, twirling a curl around my finger and tugging on it. “College is going to be so good for you. You’ll get to experience new things, meet new people, and find yourself outside of this town. I may not be around as much anymore, but I am still here, rooting for you every step of the way.”
She’s quiet for a moment, her piercing blue eyes locked on mine. “You know, we had a similar conversation about six years ago in this same spot when you were leaving for basic training. I’m proud of you, too, B. I know being away from home is hard, but you are making a difference every day you put that uniform on. You inspire me; I hope I can do the same every time I put on scrubs. I’m excited for college, I just feel like it’s missing something.”
I understood that statement. Looking into her eyes, seeing her as an adult and not a child, I suddenly get the feeling of something missing as well. My words feel small leaving my mouth, “Maybe someday you’ll find what it is.”
She leans in closer, her delicate hand sliding into mine. “I hope so.” With that, she stands up, pulling me up with her, and leads us out of the tangle of branches hanging low to the ground. We re-enter the party, all while her hand stays wrapped in mine.