Page 93 of Chemistry: The Chemist

“What about now?”

“It doesn’t matter what Chemistry I’m getting, I know they all mean me well now. I trust you, wholly. More than I’ve ever trusted anyone in my life.”

“Seven girls.”

“Hm?”

“Seven girls. My father had seven girls, all younger than me.”

“So, you have seven sisters? Seven whole siblings?”

“Seven sisters. Eleven siblings. I was raised by my father. I have four brothers who were raised by their grandfather. Our mother committed suicide and murdered my stepfather before she did it. That’s where we’re headed.”

“To meet your sisters?”

“No. To visit my brothers. It’s not often I’m allotted time to see them, but there are times I force myself to drop everything for them. It’s important to me they understand their positions in my life have never and will never change.”

Eden stilled, taking in all the information I was dishing. After a few seconds, she was active, again.

“You know, Chemistry, you have so many layers to you. I wonder if I’ll ever finish peeling them back.”

“You won’t.”

“I couldn’t agree more.”

She ruffled the sheets, patting them down for any items. I grabbed the other ends, straightening them on the bed as she did the same. Once it was made, we both moved to the floor where underwear and random items had tumbled.

“Where are they?”

“Berkeley.”

With a nod, she replied, “Berkeley is nice.”

“It’s where I was born.”

“I’ll admit I’m both surprised and honored to be on the receiving end of these new developments. You’re so guarded. So hard to penetrate.”

“I have my reasons.”

“I understand.”

“This is my family, Choc. I don’t fuck around when it comes to them. None of them. When you step out of that door out there, everything you know, see, hear, or learn about them must be locked into a vault somewhere in the back of your brain–never to be opened, mentioned… nothing.

“This is not up for negotiation. I’m not silent because I simply want to be. I’m silent because I have to be. I have people to protect. Continuing this thing with me means you’re vowing to do the same.”

She paused, peering at me with sincerity in those big eyes of hers.

“As much as I can, I’ll protect the things and people you love. Cross my heart, hope to die.”

A hand crossed her chest.

No matter how invincible you think you are, you’re human, son. And there’s only so much you can do.

Her words reminded me of my father’s.

“Fair enough. Are you ready?”

Tittering, she shook her head. “I’m a woman, baby. You have seven sisters, have you learned anything from them?”

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