Family is family

Family is family
“Wow,” Jeremy said, clapping slowly, deliberately, mockingly. “I’m so impressed.”

The sound grated on my nerves instantly. Each clap felt forced, dripping with sarcasm. I lifted my eyes to him, already bracing myself, because I knew that tone. I’d known it all my life.

Then he turned to Dad.

“But why are you apologizing though?” he asked, his brows furrowed like he was genuinely confused. “We were only trying to help. We didn’t do anything wrong. So why apologize like we did?”

Dad shifted uncomfortably in his seat. I could see it in the way his hands tightened together, the way his eyes darted briefly to me before returning to Jeremy.

“And besides,” Jeremy continued, his voice growing louder, sharper, “are you already taking sides with Jamie? Are you already saying that whatever this is”—he gestured vaguely in my direction—“whatever he’s doing is okay? Is that what you’re saying?”

The room went tense. But before Dad could even respond, Jason shot up from his chair.

“Oh my God, Jeremy,” Jason snapped, his voice exploding through the silence. “What the hell is your problem?”

Everyone turned toward him.

“Why are you so proud?” Jason continued, his anger radiating from him now. “Why can’t you just admit you were wrong? Why can’t you just admit you’ve been wrong all this while treating Jamie the way you did, huh?”

Jeremy turned to face him, clearly not expecting that.

“You always act so high and mighty,” Jason went on, pacing slightly now. “Always acting like you have no flaws, like you’re the perfect human being, like you’ve never made mistakes.”

He scoffed.

“Well, newsflash you’re not. You’re just a mere human. An insignificant one who also has issues. So get off your high horse for once in your life and just admit that you’re wrong. It won’t take anything from you.”

Jason’s chest was rising and falling rapidly.

“Not everything is about you, dude,” he finished bitterly. “The world doesn’t revolve around you.”

The silence that followed was heavy. Jeremy just stood there, staring at Jason. His mouth opened slightly, then closed. For once, he had nothing to say.

Without saying a word, he turned, grabbed his jacket, and walked straight outside. The door slammed behind him with a force that echoed through the house.

I swallowed hard.

After a short pause, I spoke.

“Anyways, Dad,” I said quietly, trying to steady my voice, “we’ll be taking our leave soon. I just came here to sort this ou, and since that’s been cleared… there’s no need for me to be here any further.”

Jason immediately turned toward me.

“Hey, come on,” he said gently now. “Don’t tell me you want to leave because of Jeremy? Just ignore him. You know how he is.”

“He’s absolutely right, Jamie,” Dad added quickly. “You don’t need to leave. This is your home too. You’re welcome to stay for as long as you want.”

He hesitated, then added softly, “The holidays are coming up really soon. Why don’t you stay till Christmas? We haven’t spent Christmas together as a family in a long time.”

I chuckled, shaking my head slightly.

“I know, Dad,” I said. “Okay, fine we’ll stay today and leave tomorrow. But staying till Christmas isn’t possible. That’s stwo weeks away, and there are things I still need to wrap up for the year, the same goes for Aiden.”

I glanced at Aiden, who gave me a small reassuring smile.

“But,” I continued, “I promise, we’ll spend Christmas together like a family, like we used to.”

Dad smiled instantly, relief washing over his face. He nodded, stood up, and headed toward the kitchen.

“Why don’t you all get some rest?” he said. “I’ll let you know when dinner is ready.”

“Thanks, Dad,” I mouthed as I hugged him briefly.

When I returned to the living room, Jason and Aiden were already talking like old school pals.

“So,” Jason said with a grin, “you didn’t tell me you guys were back together.”

“Uhn, Jason,” I replied teasingly, tapping his head lightly, “technically, I don’t owe you any explanation.”

Aiden burst out laughing.

“Hmmm, oh really?” Jason said, amused. “Okay, fine. You’re right. You don’t have too. But you should though, atleast to me. Given the fact that you nearly gave my floors holes from your constant pacing back then.”

Aiden’s eyes widened. “He nearly did what?”

“Oh no, babe,” I cut in quickly. “It’s nothing serious. Don’t listen to him.” Then I glared at Jason who only laughed harder. 

“Anyways,” he pressed further, “how did it happen? You can at least tell me that, can’t you?”

I stood up and tugged Aiden’s hand gently.

“No, I can’t,” I said mockingly. “Sorry. I’ll see you later at dinner. Come on, poodle.” I gestured to Aiden who stood up, as I lead him to my room. 

“Aww, you’re such a party pooper,” Jason groaned behind us.

When we got inside my room, Aiden immediately collapsed onto the bed.

“Wow,” he exhaled. “That was pretty intense.”

“I’m sorry babe,” I said, sitting beside him. “I didn’t want you to see that side of my family, but I guess, that was inevitable ”

“No Jamie. It’s okay,” he said softly, coming close to me as he rested his head on my legs. “It’s not like mine’s perfect either.” He said laughing. 

He paused. “Is it always like that though? I mean between Jason and Jeremy? It felt like they wanted to throw each others throats out.”

“Well, I’d say pretty much,” I admitted, as I chuckled. “Jeremy has always been that way. Always annoying, even when we were kids. But he has never really been best pals with Jason either. But Jason on the other hand, he has always been there for me. He always had my back, so yeah. I think it’s fair to say they are always like that most times.” I said smiling, as I tapped his head lightly. 

He grinned. “I know that I might not really understand what you’ve been through all this while, but seeing as you’re here, I appreciate your honesty. And I’m sure your dad does too, seeing the way he reacted, I’m positive he’s gradually coming around.” 

“Yeah I think so too. My dad may be really strict most times, but I know when he’s also being genuine. And seeing how he acted out there, he must have been very sorry. Although, I’m not going to lie, it felt weird. I concluded and we both laughed, as i stood up. 

I pulled out an old photo albums from my drawer, and shower it to him. We talked about my childhood memories as they spilled freely. We talked about how chubby I was as a baby, how I tried out makeup so many times, how my mom always made my hair into a ponytail, my graduation, prom, everything else. He asked questions about me, I didn’t hold back as I told him everything he needed to know. Then he asked about how my family reacted when I came out to them for the first time.

By this time we were already lying down on the bed, his head to my chest as I stroked his head. I explained to him to that it was really funny because my dad and Jeremy were literally acting as if I was possessed by an evil spirit that needed to be exorcised, I also talked about how my mom was really happy that I was finally able to say it because she claimed she already knew, I even mentioned how Jason was even more shocked and surprised that I was even coming out at all. I kept talking, not realizing Aiden had fallen asleep until I noticed his breathing had slowed down, and he was snoring lightly.

I paused, smiled, kissed his forehead, before I drifted off too. About a couple of hours later, a knock came through the door, and Jason peeked in. 

“Dinner’s ready, love birds,” Jason teased, and shut the door. 

I have been up for a while, so I just proceeded to waking up Aiden instead. He groaned, rubbing his eyes, as he sat up. “Jamie, how long have I been out?” 

I chuckled. “About a couple of hours, you seem exhausted so I decided to let you sleep, even though you asked me a question, and then fell asleep when I was giving you an answer.” I teased. 

“O my gosh” He said as he covered his face shyly, laughing. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea when I fell asleep. Let’s just say, listening to you talk, made me feel so calm and relaxed. So my body had no other option than to shut down eventually.” He said grinning.

“Anyways, dinner’s ready. You can shower first, and then we can head out together.” I said to him calmly.

I nodded and he went into the bathroom, took the quickest shower I have ever since he taken and when he came out, I handed him my clothes to wear. 

“Who would have thought you could actually have your bath so quickly,” I teased just as we stepped out. As usual, my dad went all out, as the table was filled with different kinds of food. 

I sat down beside Malia, who was already beaming with so much excitement, while Aiden took a sit beside me. “You really outdid yourself today again dad. This looks really good” I complimented, just as he was coming out with the last tray.

He smiled widely, setting the tray down. “I’m afraid I don’t know how not too. Thank you Jamie.” He said, and took his sit, just as we held hands and said the grace. 

After that, everyone launched into their food, Aiden and Jason were talking like old friends, dad and Jeremy also, so I turned to Malia. 

“So trouble,” I teased, “how’s school? Do you have anything fun planned for the holidays?”

She jammed her fork into the steak, as she struggled to slice it up. I chuckled ma went ahead to do it for her, while she leaned back in her chair, chatting away. 

“School’s fine uncle Jamie. But there’s this new girl in my class, she acts mean to everyone. I’ve tried to be be friends with her, but she always talks like she’s better than us, especially with her weird accent.” She said pouting, as she took a piece of meat into her mouth. 

“As for the holidays, I don’t have anything planned yet. Maybe I’ll spend it at nana’s and pop pop’s. My mom hasn’t decided yet.” She replied cheerfully. 

“Well in that case, why don’t you come spend Christmas with me? Just then her eyes lit up. “Really? Can I?” 

“Yes of course darling. As long as your dad agrees” I quickly added, glancing at Jeremy, just as Malia did. 

“Can I dad? Pleaseeee? Can I? Can I?” Malia pleaded, bouncing off her chair literally with her hands clenched together. 

By now, everyone was staring at Jeremy. He hesitated for a while, staring at Malia, then he smiled. “Yes, baby. You can.” 

Malia squealed as she ran over to him and threw herself to him, hugging him tightly. “As long as you promise to be of good behavior, no tantrums” He quickly added, she nodded and hurriedly came back to her food. 

I turned to Jeremy, and mouthed an inaudible ‘thank you’ to him. He simply nodded and smiled before going back to his food.