Listening In
A six-year-old girl is up past her bedtime. Sitting atop the stairs, she hears murmuring voices. Who could be downstairs? Scooting down a step, she leans forward. Holding on firmly to the edge of the step, she can catch the talking properly. It sounds like her older siblings.
"John, you better have a good reason why you were out so late!" Sara barely controls her anger.
"I was just with Theo and Drake. It isn't a big deal," he says.
"Please spare your lies. I texted both of them, and neither one knew where you were." Sara pauses. "Where were you."
The silence that trails after Sara's demand births dread inside the six-year-old girl. Her big sister isn't someone who likes mystery. She worries that John and Sara are going to start screaming at each other. It's been nearly two days since John returned home. What kept her big brother away?
John lets out a long sigh, "I wasn't doing anything you need to worry about."
"You're not answering my question." Sara taps her foot.
"Stop doing that!"
"Then answer my question!"
"I don't have too!"
"I swear if you keep this up-"
"What are you going to do, Sara?" John's chuckles. "What can you do?"
"John, please just talk to me." Sara's foot isn't tapping. "Whatever is causing you to disappear like this isn't worth fighting over."
The silence that follows encourages the six-year-old girl to scoot to the next step down. Their parents are out on a business trip. With them gone, John's been leaving home for hours without letting Sara know. John hasn't been gone for two days though. Whoever he's with isn't someone Sara knows. This makes Sara worry. John usually brings friends over to the house to meet their family. Or at least introduce them to Sara. This isn't normal for John. The youngest doesn't hear any talking. She hesitates and comes down another step. She's closer and should be able to continue listening.
"Let's talk in the morning. I'm too tired to argue." John sounds exhausted.
"Fine. Hopefully, Jessica is asleep and didn't hear you breaking in." Sara doesn't seem to be following John.
Realizing that John will be coming upstairs, Jessica crawls up the steps she scooted down from. When she reaches the top, Jessica hurries into her bedroom. Hopping atop her bed, Jessica pulls up the sheets and covers. She closes her eyes and pretends to sleep. She hears John's feet drag passed her open door. Sara hasn't come upstairs. John's bedroom door closes firmly.
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