izzyindie:
She could see how off Kai looked, hell she looked the same underneath all he carefully placed makeup, but Vanessa couldn’t find it within herself to find empathy. She wasn’t there, but she had spent her ow time beating herself up literally and metaphorically trying to deal with it all. “Stop it,” Vanessa replied firmly. “I’ve been dealing with your bitchin’ and moanin’ for the past two weeks and I’m sick of it. You know what it means to be a part of this family, heartbreak or not. If you’re not going to act accordingly, don’t come.”
Right away Vanessa heard hints of their mother’s Souther draw in her voice, but she immediately shook it off; a face resembling their father’s apathy taking its place. “No one is going to care that Mama died after this. People are going to assume we lost our mother to gang violence, drugs, or that she’s doing time. So either honor Mama now or spend the rest of your life ruthlessly defending her. Either way you’re making an enemy of yourself in your home. She wouldn’t want that.”
Once their eyes met, Vanessa knew she had to hope strength. Though her eyes were blood shot, anyone who knew her not a singular tear was actually shed––just rosy cheeks and slightly slowed movements were her guide. She followed in line, taking her place as the middle child between her brothers.
“You’re going to regret this,” she whispered.
‘Part of this family’ he repeated back to himself as he spoke, a phrase he began getting used to hearing. Anytime he disagreed with a simple statement now, it was seen as disobeying his father and hed get the same lecture on how if he was a ‘part of the family’ then he would do as his older siblings did. Which in Kais mind, meant following along like a little puppy and hanging onto his every word. “Youre right I forgot mourning and recovery had a time limit, my apologies for burdening the great Vanessa Montgomery who tells people she has one brother,” And even at his age, he was as individual as they came, and to much of a mommas boy to worry about being in his fathers good graces. He knew he was always protected no matter how angry his father got, but now? He was out in the open, ready for the hunting and no one in his family or their friends were there to protect him and have his back, ”easy for you to say,” slipped through his lips before he had the time to process his thoughts.
“Ah yes, the police chiefs wife in jail, doing drugs, or involved with a gang. Thatll really seal his legacy huh?” He hissed out before sighing for a moment, rubbing his face roughly. “Look, you keep up whatever picture perfect appearance you think you need to have. Unlike those two, and clearly yourself, I dont care if i show emotion. Everyone has an emotion, and everyone shares it in their way. Unfortunately for myself, I have three stone faced people surrounding me. Im gonna look out of place regardless if I speak or not, Id rather save myself the knowledge of knowing everyone saw me sobbing at my mothers coffin,”
He smiled and shook hands of the people who went by, nodding at some of words given his way. Already feeling to small for the group around them and wanting to slink to the corner with his mom, but unfortunately this would become his new normal. Being in the middle of the attention given to the Montgomery, regardless if they all knew the truth or not.
“Have you even thought to ask me what I want to do to honor Momma, or are you to busy pleasing dear old dad to care?” He whispered, before smiling at the gentleman in front of him.
Kai hadn’t moved from his place in front of the mirror, his gaze never moving from his reflection. If anyone walked by they’d think he was possessed, like he was just looking through himself. The cuts and bruises from the accident still present, but faded slightly as days passed. And the memories still as vivid as the day it happened, every time he closes his eyes he saw the bright blue and red lights, the sound of the sirens blaring in his ears, and the image of his mother lifeless in front of him.
“You think I give a fuck about appearances? You think I can get up and speak about her? Like I don’t think about her every second of everyday, and the worst part is I can’t even remember the good things! I can’t remember the love she showed us, or the jokes she make, or anything besides seeing her laying there,”
“None of you know what I went through, father or Nate haven’t even asked me a question about it or checked to see how I’m doing. We’re all mourning, we’re all crushed by the fact momma is gone. But none of you were there, none of you had to see it or experience what we did. And god, it shouldn’t fucking be her who’s gone. It’s not like anyone would’ve missed me anyway,” he spoke, finally turning from the mirror and facing his sister. His eyes rimmed with tears, before walking right past her, head held high and taking his place in line with his family.
“You know it’s Mama’s wishes that you speak.” Vanessa approached, clad in an all black lace gown that exposed skin both on her mid-drift and her thighs, crossing her arms as she approached her brother. You couldn’t tell from Vanessa’s appearance, but the moment was somber as ever. Everyone surrounding them in all black, paying their respects, and getting unnecessarily close to hugging each of the Montgomery siblings.
Vanessa looked over the crowd, eyes locking with their father’s right away. There were tears his eyes, bit no resemblance of pain. No droopy eyes, sleepless nights, or weightless heart to match. Just a stern nod and back to shaking hands the eldest Montgomery went. “I get it you’re in the middle of the, God forgive my language, fuck the world and everyone in it mood but right now you need to be a Montgomery. You already know what’s waiting at home if we don’t perform. So play your fucking sweet, artistic dreamer role and be miserable after. People are watching.”
izzyindie:
“Whatever my favorite is?” Vanessa called out, pushing the hoop ear ring through her ear. Her heels clacked on the tile as she moved through her room to the open area. It was their new normal. Long away from the days of silent family dinners with their father at the hem going on about Kai’s obnoxious pink hair and Vanessa even obnoxious-er boyfriends. But now they two sitcom watching siblings, who smiled while passing and acknowledging their existences. “You know I work tonight?” she shook her head, looking through the food bags.
“I feel like when we were younger it was different but either way I know what you like, and what I’d get fought for getting you,” He chuckled, nudging her out of the way lightly and separating the items into the counter. “the calendar on the fridge helps me keep track, I figured you could eat before work or bring it with you. Or even have something to look forward to when you get out,” he shrugged, “I was craving Chinese so I thought why not get Nessie some,”
@izzyindie
Kai was finally happy, being in an apartment with his sister away from the family they never wanted. Well, most members they didn’t want around. There was something blissful being able to do as he pleased and not worry about what was around him. Everything worked, for once it was finally good. “Alright Nessie I got us Chinese food, yes I got whatever your favorite is, don’t be so shocked that I know,” his voice traveled around the apartment as he walked through the door, putting his keys on the table.