Page 9 of Edward’s Bunny

Meet the Bondars

Brian

Iput my car in park and sighed before peering out the windshield. My childhood home greeted me. It was a beautiful five-bedroom single-family house built in the seventies. Growing up here wasn’t all rainbows and butterflies. I remember the countless nights I'd lay in bed, waiting for my brothers' snores to lull me to sleep, desperate for even a moment of solitude. I couldn't pack my bags fast enough the day after my eighteenth birthday.

I’d shared my bedroom with my two brothers, Lucas and Gabe. Gabe was older, and what he said went. It was annoying, but he was stronger than me, and I couldn’t fight him. On the other hand, Lucas was the typical little brother who always tagged along and wanted to do what the older kids did. I loved my brothers, yet the constant bickering, cramped space, and lack of privacy made my home feel like a war zone.

On top of those two, I had seven more siblings. I laughed a sarcastic laugh. Randy was right about my parents’ lack of birth control and spitting out kids like it was getting out of style. I sighed again. I didn’t want to be here. While I was able to get out of yesterday’s dinner, my mother demanded my presence tonight. She was a force to be reckoned with, even with her small-stature frame. There was no way I could not go.

I squeezed my eyes closed. Things with Randy hadn’t improved. He’d texted me this morning saying he had to stay at the hospital. No, “I’m sorry”, or “I love you”, just “I’m staying at the hospital for my shift.” I didn’t know what I was going to do. I shook my head. Now wasn’t the time to think about Randy. I’d cried all night; no reason for me to continue now. Rubbing my eyes clear, I stared out the window. I needed to place a smile on my face and meet the horde. Looking at all the cars lining the narrow U-shaped drive, it appeared I was the only one not inside.

A bang on my side window echoed in my car, and I jerked in surprise. I turned to see Lucas bent over in laughter. He had his strong arms wrapped around his belly and his shoulder-length dirty blond hair draped over his face. He looked nothing like me. I had a slender build, platinum-dyed hair, piercings, and was obviously gay. On the other hand, Lucas was a few inches taller than my five eleven and had a muscular build.

Even though he was two years younger than me, his large stature made him look older. He shattered that older image with his ‘pranks.’ He was always the fun-loving jokester of the family. Glaring at him, I opened my door and slid out.

“Your face. Oh my god, it was priceless,” he said between chuckles.

“Asshole,” I said through my clenched teeth.

Lucas laughed, swung his arm around my shoulder, and pulled me close into a brotherly hug. “Aw, come on. It was hilarious. You looked so deep in thought I had to do it.”

I play-punched his solid stomach. “Whatever.” He laughed, and I straightened before looking back at the house. “Is the rest of the family here?”

“Yeah, you’re the last one. Where’s the old man?” Lucas replied.

I flinched at his question as the hurt and anger of earlier filled me again. Plastering a fake smile, I faced Lucas. “He had to work. Let’s head inside and get this over with.”

Not waiting for his reply, I headed toward the house. I needed to make small talk and survive this night. Lucas was one of the people that could read me when I was lying. Gabe was the other. I attributed it to the fact we lived so long in the same room.

I came to a halt at the front door. I took a deep breath before turning the knob and swinging the door open. The cacophony of voices and sounds hit me like a brick wall. The younger family members were running around screaming while the older of the bunch were talking animatedly. Lucas clapped me on my back.

“Welcome to the madhouse,” he said with a chuckle before heading toward our older brothers, Noah and Gabe.

I shook my head. This was another reason I left the level of noise and craziness. I continued inside and nodded toward my brothers. The first thing I needed to do was greet my mom. Camille Bondar may be small in stature, but she was the true matriarch of the clan. My father often deferred to her in every significant decision.

“Uncle Brian!”

A tiny immovable force slammed into my legs, and I laughed as two small arms wrapped tightly around my waist. Reaching down, I pulled my little niece Eva up and swung her around into a hug. Eva's giggles echoed through the room, filling my heart with warmth. As I set her back down on the ground, she clung to me and looked up with her bright brown eyes. I couldn't help but smile at her innocence and wonder. It was moments like these that made life worth living: moments that reminded us of the simplicity and beauty of love.

“Hey, Thumper,” I said with a smile.

Eva crossed her arms and pouted. “I’m not Thumper. Don’t be mean, Uncle Brian.”

I laughed. “You’ll always be Thumper to me. You look just like Thumper when you’re in your rabbit form.”

“I do not!”

“Do too.”

“Do not!”

“Do—”

“Enough, you two.” My sister Olivia interrupted.

I peered up at her. Olivia had dark blond hair that was almost brown, cascading in long, wavy locks around her shoulders. Her captivating green eyes were full of amusement, and she had a nice figure that she carried with confidence. Standing at an average height, she shared our mother's beauty and no-nonsense attitude. I tilted my head in acknowledgment, a smile still lingering on my lips.

“Mom, Uncle Brian said I look like Thumper,” Eva said.

---