Winchester Legacy 2.4

Neil’s dad sometimes called, just to talk to him. They weren’t really close and after Neil talked to him he was always in a weird mood. But since Neil had gotten a part time job he was rarely home at night when his dad called. The phone rang and I could tell it was his dad because my dad’s tone  of voice changed. It’s hard to explain. It’s not rude and it’s not fake. It’s just…he doesn’t sound like himself.

“Hello Gordon. No, Neil is at work right now. Uh huh…uh huh. I’ll be sure to tell him that you called. What’s that? Yes, he’s doing very well in school. Yes, the other kids are doing just as well. How are you? Still living with Joe? Good, good. Well, let me let you go. I know…what? Tonya is doing fine.”

Oh crap! Now his tone had turned really weird. Reaching over I grabbed the phone that dad had installed in my room and started to randomly press buttons before I put the phone to my ear. “Oh! I didn’t know you were on the phone dad! I really need to use it!”

“Sure thing kiddo. Gordon, I’ll have Neil call you back.”

A few seconds later dad appeared in the door and leaned against the jam. I looked up from my book.

“I thought you had to make a phone call.”

“I changed my mind.” Shrugging I went back to my book and didn’t even bother to look up when he pressed a kiss to my forehead.

“I love you Val.”

“Oh geez, come on dad! I love you too! Now go away!”

Mom’s pretty handy to have around the house. We’re always at the piano and it’s bound to need tuning every now and again and mom’s the one who’s always tuning it. And why is she wearing her maternity clothes? She said they were much more comfortable than anything else she had in her closet. Those are her ‘I’m just chillin’ around the house’ clothes. Don’t get me wrong. Mom can dress fierce but I guess since she’s so old now she really doesn’t care. She’s still beautiful though. Don’t tell her I said that but she is.

Neil got a promotion. And yes, his face is still red. Poor guy! He had to hop up and go directly to work but he never complains about it.

“Hey Beetface!” I hollered from my bedroom window. “Congrats!”

He scowled at me and opened up his mouth to say something but I quickly slammed the window back down. He’s so fun to tease. He takes everything seriously. Like right now he was probably checking himself out in the bathroom, worrying about going to school tomorrow. I gave him a few minutes before I knocked on the bathroom door.

“Yeah?”

“Your dad called.”

There was a pause. “What did he want?”

“I don’t know. My dad picked up the phone.” I leaned against the door. “Are you going to call him back?”

“Maybe…what do you care?”

Even though he couldn’t see it I shrugged. “I don’t know. Do you want to go out for pizza or something?”

“I can’t be seen out in public like this! Maybe later!”

“Whatever! You should go see mom and see if she can write you out a prescription or something.”

The door flew open and I tumbled inward as Neil rushed past me. “You’re welcome!” I shouted after his retreating back. Shaking my head I went into the room and saw that Gai had climbed out of the window again. Sighing I peered out to see her messing with the telescope.

“What are you doing?” I hissed.

“Looking for Orion. I think I found him.”

“Mom’s going to kill you if she sees you out here at night by yourself.”

“I know, but tonight’s supposed to be the best night to see shooting stars too. We were talking about it in science class.”

“Well, you have ten minutes and then I’m telling mom.”

“But it’s not really going to get interesting for another thirty minutes.”

“Ten minutes Gai!”

“Fine!”

“Fine!”

“Double fine!”

“Triple fine.” I grinned when she giggled then shut the window.

So mom wanted to capture shots of us in our school uniforms and for a change we were all on time so the photographer snapped pictures as we were leaving the house. Neil had to show off as always. Whatever mom had given him worked wonders so now he could work his magic at school. I was excited to get to school, for a change, so that I could show off my  new ‘do. Don’t I look excited? No? Well, I felt like I was going to throw up I was so nervous. Hopefully he would notice me. I had tried to duplicate the hairdresser’s make up with some of mom’s stuff so I hoped it was alright.

And just who is this guy I’m always talking about? I can’t tell you. He doesn’t even know I exist. Yet!

There’s Gai! She’s such a nerd! I’ve never seen anyone so happy to go to school but she always is. She wakes up super so she can eat a well balanced breakfast. I swear the girl doesn’t do anything but sleep, eat and study. And practice headstands. She’s getting way better at them too. I mean, if I do say so myself.