We Aren't So Different, You and Me

I woke up to a missed call from Cori. I looked at my clock on my phone and it was only 9 a.m. I groaned before rolling over to listen to my voicemail.

"Hey, babe, it's Cori. Your grandparents called my parents and told them about your mom.. I'm really sorry for your loss, babe. Umm.. Give me a call when you wake up. We can go out for coffee later or something, maybe hit up the book store. Alright.. Ummm... I love you. Bye.."

I sighed, throwing my phone down against the bed. I heard things crashing together downstairs, followed by some laughter. The sweet scent of coffee got my brain going and I stood up, stretching. I looked down and noticed I was still in my jeans from the day before. I pulled out my leggings from my suitcase and paired them with a plain gray t-shirt. I pulled my curls back up into a messy bun, applying some deodorant before opening the door.

A little girl with short brown hair, dressed in footie pajamas ran in front of me, giggling as a cat followed her. I chuckled softly, running my fingers over my arms out of habit. I went back into the room, grabbing my pack of cigarettes and guitar before walking back downstairs.

"Good morning, sweet pea. How'd you sleep last night?" Donna greeted me, a smile on her face.
"G'morning. It was okay, I guess," I yawned, rubbing my eyes. "What's going on?"
"Oh, well Gerard, our oldest, and Lindsey, his wife, just arrived and they're out in the garage with Don and Michael, our youngest. Feel free to go out and say hi, if you'd like."
"Thanks, but I have some things to get done today. Maybe later. Have you seen my bag of guitar picks? I can't find them anywhere upstairs."
"Probably in the garage, I'm guessing," she laughed, picking up the little girl and setting her on the counter in front of her.
"Okay, thanks," I yawned again, heading towards the garage door.

I heard some hushed talking when I walked up to the door. I hesitated before opening it, revealing the faces behind the voices. They all stopped and stared at me awkwardly. Don was the first one to break the silence.

"Morning, Taylor. I'm assuming Bandit woke you up?"
"Who?"
"My granddaughter. She's been running around all morning since she got here."
"Oh. Well, no. I actually got a phone call and yeah..." I started digging my nails into my arm as I scratched, a little tick I had.
"Did you get breakfast?"
"No, I didn't want anything. I have to meet a friend up at the coffee shop in a couple hours and I was looking for my guitar picks. Donna said they might be out here?"
He sat up from his chair and walked over to a shelf on the other side of the garage. He came back with my bag of picks and smiled. "Here you go."
"Thanks.." I took them and shoved them into my sweater pockets.
"Oh, these are my boys, Gerard and Mic--"
"I know, my roommate was obsessed." I mumbled awkwardly. "Look, I appreciate you letting me stay the night, but I'd rather just stay with my dad, if that's not too much to ask. I'll give him a call and talk to him about and get my stuff later on."

I turned around and walked back through the house, up the stairs, grabbed my phone, and walked back down stairs and out the front door.

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