Opening the car door, I hear the soft sound of alternative rock.
“Seat belt on?” I ask as I click mine on.
He puts his on and gives me a thumbs up.
Connor’s school isn’t far from where we live. It’s only a fifteen-minute drive. He could take the bus, but I prefer to drive him.
It’s the little things, like driving him to school, letting him listen to his music, picking him up after, and giving him his favorite foods that make him happy.
And that in turn makes me happy, too.
My brother is my pride and joy. I can say truthfully that he is the best thing to happen in my life.
It’s how our mom should feel but I’m feeling it instead.
Our bond is greater than any other brother and sister.
Iraised Connor.
Changed his diapers and made sure he was fed. I was there when he spoke his first word and when he walked his first step. I potty trained him. Taught him so many things.
When he got hurt, I kissed his boo-boos better. When he cried, I wiped his tears. When he had nightmares, it was my room he ran into. And I would hold him throughout the night and tell him that the monsters weren’t real.
He thought thatIwas his mom.
He would call me that when he was a little kid.
It was his first word.
Momma.
And it was tome.
It was only until he was old enough to understand that I explained to him that I am his big sister not his mom.
But I feel like a mom.
All I ever want for him is the best in life.
And I will make every sacrifice without complaint to make it happen.
My phone rings from the cup holder I placed it in. Keeping my eyes on the road and my hands on the wheel because I will not jeopardize his life, I ask him to see who it is.
“It’s Alice,” he says happily with a smile on his face. If I didn’t know any better, I would think that he has a little crush on her.
Alice, my best friend. One I view as a sister. I still remember the day she started working at Hell’s Gates. She looked way too innocent to be in a joint like that and I made it my mission to protect her.
We bonded although it took her awhile to open up to me.
Whereas I wear my poor little heart on my sleeve Alice had hers guarded and for very good reason.
But I managed to chip her walls down and we became a pair ever since.
“Answer it for me and put her on speaker.” Connor does as I tell him. Before she can say anything, I answer with, “Snake still treating you right or do I have to shove my six-inch heels up his ass.”
Soft laughter fills the phone followed by a masculine grumble. “Hello to you, too, Grace,” Snake answers back.
I roll my eyes, but I have a smile on my face. “It’s still Gracie Mae to you.”
