With that being said, I would need to find a job that would get me out of the house for a few hours a day so that my parents wouldn’t get suspicious. Thankfully, my parents hardly ever went down to the smaller IT departments. I can be there for the first few days so that people can see my face and then leave. Besides, I can’t have George lie and say he hired me, and my ass always in my room. I’d find a part-time job and use the rest of my free time to keep building my game prototype, getting it ready to present to another company. Hopefully by then, I’d muster up the courage to tell my folks the truth.
Natalie
I satin the stands next to my mom and my older brother as we waited for the graduation ceremony to start. My dad was at the beginning of the row, setting up his camera. No matter how big or small the event was, my dad never left the house without it.
“It’s a shame Lawrence couldn’t make it,” my mom said, looking over at me.
I gave her my practiced smile. “Yeah, but we needed someone to stay behind to watch our shop. Eventually, we’re going to expand and hire more people so that Lawrence and I can delegate.”
I shifted in my seat and swallowed down the bile that I always got when I lied. To some people, lying was second nature and had little to no effect. Unfortunately for me, whenever I told a small fib, my insides churned, and guilt weighed down on me.
My mom patted the top of my hand. “As long as you and Leonard are here, Ricky will be happy.”
I ran my thumb across the back of her hand before lightly squeezing it. I was her only daughter and a carbon copy of her. The main difference between us and our appearances was that my mom had let her gray hair grow out, and she wore it in a natural curly mane. Plus, she had a petite frame and was barely five feet tall.
I, on the other hand, had dyed my hair a rich auburn hue and was in a phase of keeping my hair straight. It’s not like I didn’t appreciate my curls; they were just harder to deal with. Plus, I wasn’t petite like my mom. I was curvier with a size sixteen frame.
“Speaking of Leonard,” my mom said, leaning forward to look at my brother. “When are you planning on settling down?”
Leonard groaned. “Mama, we’re not having that conversation right now.”
“Why not? This is the perfect time since the ceremony has not started yet, and there are some beautiful women around that you can pursue. Oh, check her out right there.” My mom urged, pointing at a honey-brown skinned woman sitting a few rows ahead of us. “Excuse me, miss? Miss, I want to introduce you to my son.”
“Mama!” Leonard hissed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “Dad, please get your wife.”
“Leave the boy alone, Patty!” my dad grumbled as he focused his camera. “Don't no man wants his mama to be his wingman.”
His final say caused my mom to smack her lips before she folded her arms across her chest. I made eye contact withLeonard, and we both tucked our lips in to hold back our laughter. Ever since we were young, our mom was notorious for throwing mini temper tantrums when she didn’t get her way. Our dad would call her a brat and smother her in kisses, which made her feel better. My siblings and I thought it was the funniest thing because at the end of the day, Dad would cave in, and Mom got what she wanted.
“Looks like you have to make a run for it after the ceremony,” I whispered, leaning towards Leonard. “I bet Mom gives that woman your number and then invites her over for the family dinner.”
His shoulders bounced with his light chuckle. “I’m way ahead of you, sis. Be my distraction?”
I laughed and shook my head. “Oh no! The last time I was the distraction, I got my leg stuck in a fence, and y’all left me to take all the blame.”
Leonard broke into a low laugh. “I remember that. You managed to knock down not only our fence, but the neighbors', too.”
“Mr. Tomson was so mad!” I said, joining in his laughter. “I got grounded for an entire month for y’all.”
“Those were some good times.”
I smiled and nodded. It felt good talking to my brother for that brief moment. Looking over at him, I noticed that he and Ricky were spitting images of our dad. His clean fade showed off his 360 waves and extended goatee. While my dad and Ricky were playful, outgoing, and always smiling, Leonard was quieter and more reserved. His toasty topaz eyes that had a hint of hazel always seemed sad. The only time he seemed to lighten up was when our brother was around.
However, after our brief interaction, the usual scowl he wore had softened. I sighed. I wish that we could become closer, like Ricky and I are. Maybe I should take the initiative? I inwardlyshrugged before turning my attention back to the front as the graduates walked in. Maybe one day things would change, but today was about Ricky.
“Dad, pleeeassee!” I whined, rubbing my face.
“C’mon, one more picture.”
All of us siblings collectively groaned as my mom clapped with joy. As much as we didn't want to, we got back into a pose while my dad set up the camera. We’ve taken over twenty different pictures, not including the ones with Ricky by himself, and I was over it. Don’t get me wrong, I love capturing our family love into a picture, but my dad didn’t know how to stop once he got going.
“On three, the Hunters,” Dad gleefully instructed.
Outside of our monthly family dinners, we didn’t get to spend too much time together. Between Leonard and me running our own businesses and Ricky being at school, I could understand why my dad was so enthusiastic. His kids were there, and he only wanted to spend time with us. I could do one more picture for him.
“One, two, three,” my mom counted out.
“Hunters!”
