Chapter 2: We Have To Talk

  For hours, Shon and Sam practiced their fighting skills in the basement that their parents had converted into a training room. It has concrete walls, a titanium mainframe, a high-tech security system, and was the size of an entire basketball arena.

 

"You're pretty good, Shon. I could hardly keep up with you," Sam said as he grabbed a bottle of water out of the training room's refrigerator.

 

"Well, you know, Jen has taught me a lot over the years," Shon replied sitting down next to him.

 

Sam thought about what his little brother had said. Jennifer had been there for Shon since he was a baby, when she was practically one herself. Sam told Shon that they would finish up after he was done talking to Jennifer. He went upstairs to Jennnifer's room where she was unpacking a few more of her things.

 

"Hey, J. Can I come in?" Sam said peeking his head through the door.

 

"Yeah, sure," Jennifer replied taking a seat on her full size bed.

 

"Umm, how you been kid? It's been awhile since we've seen each other. I'm not sayin' that's your fault or anything, it's just-it's just," Sam stumbled over his words, nervously trying to spit out how he felt.

 

"It's alright, Sam. Shon and I have been doing fine. I've been teaching him everything I know and doing my best to keep him out of trouble. You don't have to explain anything to me. I'm not a little girl anymore. Mom and Dad did what they had to do and I understand that. But, what I don't understand is why you never came back. I mean, you never called or just popped in just to see how we were doing. Why, Sam?" Jennifer scolded her brother , beginning to tear up.

 

"I couldn't Jen," Sam replied.

 

"What do you mean you couldn't?!"

 

"I just couldn't, okay! I couldn't bear to explain to you guys why the kids at school could grow up up to be doctors and lawyers, but you couldn't. Or why you had to train everyday while your friends could go to birthday parties and school dances. I just couldn't, Jen. You-you both were only little kids. What kind of big brother would I have been telling you stuff like that. Mom and dad's arrangement was made for a reason. It was to keep us all safe and sane. But you know what? I'm sorry that I haven't been the big brother that you and Shon always needed. I'm sorry that our parents haven't been their either, but we're a family. And I'm gonna need both of your help to get this family back together."

 

The room was silent. Jennifer needed a moment to take in everything that Sam had just told her. It felt like a huge burden had been lifted from her shoulders. A burden that been weighing her down for years.

 

"You alright?" Sam asked Jennifer as she stared down at the floor.

 

Jennifer looked up, tears rolling down her cheeks, and wrapped her arms around Sam's neck. Her big brother, Sam, had come home and that was enough for her. She was going to do whatever it took to get her family back together.