a bitter pill

Fish felt as if he'd been underwater for some time. No, it was just tears. He couldn't remember the last time he cried. And now he wanted to stay in bed.

Six days since he'd heard from Derrick. He probably wouldn't. Why was he thinking he would?

He kept checking his cell. Nothing.

Now he felt like the worst person in the world. He should have never texted Derrick in the first place. It was a mistake. He hugged his pillow hard.

 A tap came to the door. It was Syreeta.

"Have you, been crying?" She looked concerned.

"No, of course not." He shook his head, no. "Could be..the pink eye..its going around." He snapped, not wanting her to get any closer.

"Mom, wants you downstairs. Family meeting." She shrugged.

"We never have those." Fish scowled. How dare she break up his pity party? Fish got up, stomping sort of, but not too much. He didn't want to dare call attention to his bout of being depressed. He got on his slippers and went on down to the kitchen where his Mom and Dad were already with Kat.

"Wild has decided to come." His mother crossed her arms as if she was none to happy with Kat. "At first, he didn't see how. He has a job and all." She glared at Kat who wouldn't even look at her mother. "He talked to some record people down here, and thankfully, he can get work here. He's bringing his little boy."

"Little boy?" This surprised Fish. No one mentioned him.

"His name is Keegan. We are all going to help out." His mother sounded as if she were laying down the law. "In fact, the neighbor is moving to California, and she says Kat and Wild can rent out her place.

"Freida's moving to California?" Fish winced, thinking no way in hell would his sister like the house next door, that was older and tinier than their own house. It didn't even have air conditioning. It was only two bedrooms with a nice little garden out back.

Kat looked at them soured as if she had a very bad taste in her mouth, but she didn't say anything.

"So, this is what you're angry about, Wild having a son?" Fish guessed it was the wrong thing to ask, but he just wanted to know.

Kat looked at him out of the corner of her eye as if she'd spit nails at him if she could. But she said nothing. Damn, if she wasn't good at the quiet game.