Page 88 of Immortal Sun

I don’t think I’ve ever seen my mom so angry as when he told her he wanted to know where our dad came from and that he was doing some research.

The rain started that night, a massive storm that wouldn’t quit. She seemed…defeated in a way, and neither of us could figure out why. She was never really the same after, her smiles were more forced, and whenever there was a storm, she’d walk outside and stand in the rain for hours. She never got sick, but she’d walk back in the house and pour herself a shot of whiskey. Storms always affected me and Jake, but they affected her in a way that was different. I could never tell if she loved them or hated them, needed them or resented them.

One day after the storm, I’d asked her what was so evil about being curious. It was the only time I ever truly saw a flash of anger in her eyes. I was sent to my room for an hour for even asking. I prayed to the stars that one day I’d meet my dad and he’d help me. That was the first time I’d seen a shooting star fall. I had touched the charm on my bracelet, as if it had magical conjuring powers, and from there on out, I prayed while touching the charm, until I no longer believed in magic.

“It’s just a storm.” Jake grabbed my hand and then pulled me into the tiny tent I kept in my room next to my stuffed bears and the hidden fruit snacks in the treasure box. “Storms don’t hurt you. People do.”

I crawled into his lap. “But they’re loud.”

He laughed. “So are we.”

We were ten.

It was perfect.

He grabbed a flashlight, and I’ll never forget his next words. “Let me tell you about the gods.”

He talked about Brahma first then moved on to Viracocha, he went through all of the gods I never even knew existed in ancient beliefs and texts

I sighed into my brother’s chest. “I wish it was real.”

He slumped back against the pillow and took me with him as we looked up at the top of the pink tent. “I do too.”

“Maybe we can travel the world someday, unlock all the secrets it holds.”

“Maybe,” he whispered, “I’ll take you on a long trip, wanna bet I can do it?”

I rolled my eyes. “That’s not even a bet!”

“I’ll make lots of money and get us plane tickets.”

I smiled. “Then I’ll pay for food.”

He held out his hand. “Deal?”

“Deal.” I laughed.

“Kids!” Mom yelled. “Dinner.”

“Y-you can have mine.” Jake said quickly. “I’m not even that hungry.”

His stomach growled so loud that even the thunder was probably terrified. Mine felt empty too; it always did. We were so poor I was surprised we weren’t living out of our car.

“No, it’s fine, I’m not that hungry either.” I smiled at my twin. Other than he was a boy and I, a girl, the only thing different between us is that I have one green eye and one blue and his were both blue. “We’ll share.”

He nodded and grabbed my hand.

We walked into the small kitchen and sat at the table.

Potatoes.

But at least we had gravy today.

There were only two.

I split mine in half and handed it to him.

Mom protested as she always did.

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