Eventually, I walked over to the sofa and laid Jaimie there, whispering, "You lay here, little man. Mommy will be right back." Ignoring the pain in my left arm, I returned to the dining table to finish eating, keeping an eye on him.
Tanner's eyes followed my every move, and I could tell that he noticed everything that was happening. "Tanner, remember back then when you would cook for the whole house?" Xazix suddenly laughed, breaking the silence.
As soon as Tanner mentioned that he could cook, my eyes widened in surprise. I never thought that he would possess such a skill. However, given that he was good at many other domestic tasks, I shouldn't have been so taken aback.
"I would ask you to take care of the food while I attend to other things. But you'll just burn everything before I come back," A smile touched his lips, and his face softened as he reminisced about the past. They both chuckled at the memory, and I couldn't help but smile along with them. It was clear that they had a special bond.
Xazix then shared a story about how he used to promise that he would do better every time he burnt the food, but Tanner knew better than to leave him in charge. Despite Xazix's confidence that he could improve, he always ended up burning it again.
"I stopped when you almost burned the house down," Tanner said, taking another bite of his sausage as they both burst into laughter again. I was transfixed by Tanner's laughter. It was the first time I had seen him so relaxed and carefree. Even with the mustache, his face looked lighter and more handsome than ever.
My heart fluttered as I watched the brothers elbow each other and laugh. It was obvious that Tanner loved his brother deeply. However, I couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible had happened to him for him to abandon his family and take to the streets.
I longed to know what happened to Tanner, but I knew it was a hopeless wish. I had seen the way he reacted when someone brought up the topic. He didn't like to talk about it, but I wished he would open up to me.
Lost in my thoughts, Tanner suddenly asked, "What's wrong? Is anything wrong?"
I cleared my throat and shook my head, trying to push my sadness aside. "Nothing," I said, forcing a smile.
As the sun began to set, I finished watering the last set of flowers in the garden. I winced and raised my arm, feeling the sharp pain shoot through my muscles. It was throbbing badly. I needed to go to the pharmacy soon.
Just as I was about to start mowing the lane, the front door opened and Xazix emerged from the house, followed by Tanner carrying Jaimie in his arms. Xazix was dressed in his usual black leather attire, which I recognized from yesterday. He had a hunter gear on and his bag hanging on one shoulder.
"Are you going?" I asked, taken aback because I had no idea he was leaving.
"Not back home, no," he replied, getting closer. However, when I took a step back fearfully, he stopped a few feet away from me. I was embarrassed by my reaction and ashamedly whispered, "Sorry."
"It's alright, I understand," he said, giving me a tight smile. Even though I knew Xazix would never hurt me, he looked so intimidating in his hunter gear that I couldn't help but feel scared.
Xazix explained that he was going to visit his friend, Mark, who lived far away but still in Texas. I nodded in understanding and he turned to Tanner, saying, "I'll be back whenever I can. I can't wait for us to go back home again and for mother and father to see you. They will be so elated."
My heart sank when I realized Tanner was leaving too. He gave Xazix a tight smile and said, "Take your time, Xax. I'll be waiting here."
I tried to push away the sadness that filled me. Tanner had a family that was clearly missing him, and he had done so much for me already. I didn't want to cling to him and make him regret helping me. Instead, I put on a wide smile and said softly, "I'm glad you'll be seeing your family again, Tanner."
But when I mentioned his family, a blatant sadness crossed his face, making my breath hitch in my throat. The raw emotion was there for a moment before it disappeared just as quickly. "I'm looking forward to seeing them again too," he said with a small smile.
As Xazix said more goodbyes and walked away, I stood beside Tanner and watched him until he disappeared out of sight. It was just the two of us again, along with Jaimie. At least, for a few more days.
Doreen sat in her bedroom, her face etched with misery. How could this have happened? Three months ago, everything was alright. She could ask for money from her in-laws and get it immediately without any fuss. Her in-laws would never have shouted at her then.
Her husband walked into the room and asked, "Why are you sitting there like a woman who just lost a child?"