A Family Betrayal

As the summer came again I found myself excited as my friends would be back. They went to private school while I went to public school. I was a smart kid and the school I went to wasn’t really a challenge. I got bored with the assignments, but did them anyway. Mom tried to challenge me with some online brain program to help her see what challenged me. I guess she was concerned about my education as that first week in June was going to be a eye opener.

It was the weekend after summer vacation began. Around 1p.m. Saturday Shellie, Travis, and I were in the back yard enjoying the day. Travis has been helping me by having me swim in the swimming pool we had. He and Shellie thought if I built my body up no one would mess with me. So the past few summers I was in the pool swimming. Travis also taught me some moves to defend myself if the situation called for it. After I got done with my last lap Shellie came over with a towel as I got out of the pool. She dried me off which made me chuckle. She never stopped being the sister I loved. Travis had me to drink plenty of water so I wouldn’t dehydrate. It was at that time we turned to see Chris, Selena, and Tiffany. They all came over as Shellie, Travis, and I stood by the pool.

“ What are you three doing here? We thought it would be in another week?” Shellie asked walking up to give them hugs.

“ Our parents wanted to talk to Aunt Maggie about Heath.” Chris says as Travis gives him a bro hug.

“ What about me? What did I do wrong?” I asked as Tiffany made her over to me.

“ Nothing Heath as they just want to discuss something with your mom.” She answers as I just nod.

We all find a spot to sit. Shellie has me sit with her in a lounge chair. She became a protective sister plus a mother figure. Tiffany sat next to us in the other lounge chair as Chris and Selena sat by the pool. Travis sat on the weight bench he had not far. He was into keeping his body in good shape as he was on the football team. We all talked about our school year. As the conversation kept going Chris made a slip which caught my loving sisters attention.

Wait what do you mean private school? Why my baby brother? Michelle asks my best friend with concern at the thought of me going.

Yeah why our brother, he needs to be here with us Chris? Did you put your parents up to this? Travis asks as Michelle places her arms around me.

No I didn’t I swear. I am just saying what they told Selena, Tiffany, and I on the way over. Chris says as Travis leaves to go find out.

What…what is wrong? Tiffany asks as a sobbing Michelle holds me tighter

Tiffany, Heath is a big part of us….a big part of me. I think of him as my own so it’s just hard to hear about all this. Michelle says as Selena gets up to come sit by us.

Michelle we know, but they seemed persistant on this. Uncle Mike stated your dad and mom at one time wanted Heath to have the best education he could Selena says as Tiffany nods.

Yeah don’t be mad at us. We are just as surprised as you all are Tiffany says as Selena and Chris nod agreeing.

Michelle has me turn to look in her eyes. Her eyes show concern for me before she speaks with worry.

Heath honey would you rather go to private school then public school? My sister asks me as I shrug

I…I don’t know Shellie. Since you are out of school and Travis only has one more year there will be no one to help me if I need it after he graduates. I don’t want to leave you, mom, or Travis, but again I want to have a good education. And plus I will be home during the summer and Christmas break. It would give us something to look forward to. I just don’t know sissy this is so hard to even think of right now. I say with some tears.

Michelle looks in my eyes with tears also as I feel myself getting pulled to her. We hug each other as Chris, Selena, and Tiffany stay quiet. Michelle eases up her hug to look back in my eyes.

Yes it’s hard to think of being apart baby brother, but as they say ‘ A mother has to clip that cord’. Heath I know I am not our mother, but I feel like a mother to you. Ever since you were born I have loved you as a sister and a mother all wrapped into one. I promise to always be your sister and love you with all that I am. If you ever need me call and I will be there. Heathie you are so precious to me as Travis is. I love you both so much. Michelle tells me with a more tears.

I love you to Shellie so very much, but I am not going anywhere yet. I say as we hear the back door open

Michelle lets me go as we see Travis stand by the lounge chair we are on. He is 6’2 236 lbs, with short blonde hair and blue eyes. He picks me up and holds me tight in his arms.

Heath I love you bro and always will. He tells me as I hug him back.

So mom decided then I take it? Michelle asks as he nods.

Yeah she thinks it’s best that Heath gets a good education. She hates to, but she knows dad would want it to. Travis says as she nods.

Travis lets me down as I stand 5’10 at that time. Michelle wraps her arm around me again holding me with my back against her. Travis takes a seat in front of me on the chair to let things sink in. Michelle keeps a strong hold of me. Selena goes over to sit in front of Tiffany as Chris stays where he is at by the pool. Shellie looks at the three then asks them a serious question.

You..you all will make sure my baby brother is treated right wouldn’t you? Michelle asks them all.

Yes Michelle I promise to help him and comfort him. I am not going to let anyone hurt him. Not even me if we…. well never mind. Tiffany says getting a giggle.

I feel Michelle turn to look at Tiffany I guess. I hear her giggle as she speaks up again.

” Does someone have a crush on my baby brother?” Michelle asks as I turn to see Tiffany look shy.

No it’s just since we were 8 I well….. we all care for Heath very much.”” Tiffany says as Travis and Michelle laugh.”

Tiffany I hate to tell you this, but nothing gets past Michelle when it comes to bro. Travis says as I nod.

Travis is right Tiffany as she is a protective sister. I say as Chris and Selena nod agreeing.

It’s at that time the parents come out the back door. Mom makes her way over to us only to stand looking at me with sad eyes, but with love and concern. The other parents come and stand around to support her. Mom looks into Michelle, Travis, and my eyes before she speaks.

Guys we need to talk and it’s important. Mom says getting nods from us

So that means the rest of us are going to let them talk. So get into the cars so they can have some family time. Ellie says as Chris, Tiffany, and Selena stand.

Tiffany comes over to where Michelle, Travis, and I are and looks down at me. She takes a step leaning over to kiss my forehead.

Heath everything will be fine. You have three friends that will not let any one or anything happen to you. We love you honey very much Tiffany says as I nod with a smile.

I get hugs from Selena, Chris and all the mothers Verna, Ellie, and Kiko. They also give Michelle, Travis, and mom hugs. Mike, Nate, and Ricky shake hands with Travis and I. As they leave Mom takes a seat between Travis and I as Michelle scoots back pulling me to her. Mom scoots close to me as Travis to her. We are all seating on one lounge chair getting ready to hear what my mother has to say.

So where do I begin. Mom tries to say until cut off.

Heath’s going to private school isn’t he? Michelle asks in a sad voice.

Michelle that is up to him, but your father and I thought it would be best. I hate it as much as you do, but he could have a better education and away from all the bad influences at the local school. Mom says getting nods from her children.

I understand that mom, but I…I am going to feel lost without him. Michelle says as she tightens her arms that are around me.

I agree with Shellie mom. This family has never been away from each other. Except us in school or when dad was alive at work. It’s just hard to be apart from each other. Travis stated looking at me with a small smile.

I know Travis as I have been crying this whole time talking to Mike and the others. Mike stated he would make sure Heath was in the same living space as Chris so it will be a little easy on Heath. And it’s not like Heath won’t be home for Christmas and summer. As well we can write and talk on the phone. Mike said Heath can have a cell phone as Chris, Selena, and Tiffany carry them. Mom explains to us as we listen.

We all talk until Travis suggests ordering pizza which Michelle, Mom, and I were way ok with. That evening was nice as we were spending time as a family. Travis had us laughing to his impersonations of actors and other celebrities. That night as I went to bed. Shellie came in to my room then crawled into my bed to hold me. She would do the same thing when I woke up having nightmares as a kid. We whispered talking about keeping the other close in our hearts. That night we slept like we were kids again with my big sister watching over me humming that song she used to years ago.

The days and weeks went by getting closer to the day I would be leaving to private school. Mike and Ellie helped mom get me ready. And to Mike’s word to mom I was to bunk with Chris until we graduated from School. My birthday was the middle of July so It was a nice summers day. Michelle and Travis got me a cell phone that they already had set up. michelle made sure she was the first speed dial. They even took a picture as the background of them with mom. I cried seeing it, in which they both calmed me down. Mom got me a laptop so I could video chat with them when I could. It was state of the art. Mike, Ellie, and Chris got me some nice clothes. My family were there helping my birthday be special. Tiffany and Selena both got me a friendship necklace that showed the word friends. Selena’s father Nate was a computer geek. He asked to look at my Laptop which I looked at mom who smiled nodding that it was ok. He looked at it and put some programs on it from a USB memory stick. There was a antispyware program that he made himself. He downloaded the program to my laptop so no one could hack or send anything harmful to my laptop. He even gave me a wifi stick saying I didn’t have to worry about paying the bill as I was on the same plan as Selena. I smiled nodding to him. Selens thanked her dad for doing that for me. Verna gave me a cross to wear around my neck. Tiffany put it around my neck saying I would always be loved no matter where I was by those in my life. I looked at everyone thanking them so much. Ricky, Tiffany’s dad gave me a book on selling which made me confused. That was when Mike stepped up to explain. He told me that when Chris, Selena, Tiffany, and I hit 16 that he was going to let us start a junior company. He said that the money we make would go into our accounts for our futures. Mike also stated it would be good for us to start young knowing the worth of a dollar while being in school. I thought of that and smiled thinking I always wanted to be like my father in business.