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The truck clanged shut.
Thankfully, every suitcase fit into it, without bursting open.
"That's it, last one." Rain said, taking slow steps to her mother. She paused a few steps away, her hands tucked into her blue jacket as she folded her lips tightly.
This was the part she wanted to avoid, but she had to go through.
"If you think you can't handle it, your step father and I can stay. We'll go next year." Elizabeth said, about to pack her bag back into the house.
Rain rushed forward, her hands spread out blocking her path. "Of course not. It's your anniversary,"
Then softer, she added. "Its just two weeks. How hard can it be babysitting an eleven year old?"
"Listen to Rain, mom." Zeb added, moving past them to the car. He opened the back door.
"she's got everything under control. Right?" He asked without looking, flinging his bag into the back seat.
Rain didn't respond. She shot him a look
But zeb didn't care, his grin spreading. "Just make sure you don't burn the house."
Rain gasped, "I was nine.You don't have to haunt me with that memory all my life."
But like every annoying older brother he just made an exaggerated face at her.
"Grow up, Zeb." Rain muttered.
"I won't."he said, sticking his tongue out at her.
"Come on, Zeb," Paul interrupted. His hands lightly rested on the armrest of his wheel chair. "Don't tease Rain." He added. "You know you won't get to see her until you get redeployed."
"And that's why i am enjoying it while it lasts." He laughed, ruffling his fingers through her curls.
Elizabeth didn't say a word. She watched in silence, her chest heavy. Rain noticed. She moved closer, holding onto her mother's hands.
"Are you worried I won't watch over Lily?"
Elizabeth held her gaze for a moment, then it drifted to their house, where fading sunlight spilled through the window
"I don't know Rain." She said quietly "It just feels like..." She exhaled. "Like this is our final goodbye. Is it because I haven't been separated from you and your sister in a long time."
Rain paused. She reached in for a hug her voice soft. "It's just two weeks. You will be back before you know it." She broke the embrace. "I promise, Lily and I will be fine."
Then added. "I won't let her out of my sight." As they smiled back at each other.
A soft hand tugged on her dress. Her gaze dropped down and Lily stared back, her lips curved upwards.
The sun light wasn't bright but it reflected on Lily's shining brown hair.
"You be good, okay?" Her voice was laced with mild sternness.
Lily simply shook her head, then moved to her father, crouching slightly and leaning in for a hug.
"Okay little nugget." Paul breathed, giving her a pat at her back. "you behave." Before she could respond—
"What about me?" Zeb called out, adjusting his uniform slightly. "No hugs?"
She didn't waste time. Lily ran to him, giving a quick embrace, then they broke into their special hand shake. "Have fun at base." Lily said.
Rain said. "Bring back a souvenir, maybe like a general's barge."
"Ha. Very funny." Zeb responded, juggling the keys in his hands. "Okay, time to go folks."
He helped his father into the front seat, folding his wheelchair behind.
"Don't forget to call us if you need anything." Elizabeth said taking slow steps into the car as Zeb started the engine.
"I'm sure I won't need to." Rain smiled waving. As the car pulled away,
Elizabeth took one last look, as her children disappeared far behind the farther the car drove.
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The sun had completely gone down, and the full moon shone bright in the night sky.
Rain brought out some sodas, chips and other snacks from the cabinet and fridge, then placed them over the kitchen counter.
"What else do we need?" She asked. Rifling through the other cabinets. "How about popcorn? What do you think?" Her gaze fell on Lily.
Lily remained still, her eyes glued to her phone. Her thoughts elsewhere.
"Is everything okay?" Rain asked, moving closer. Lily's head lifted, a smile etched on her lips.
"Nothing," placing her phone over the table "Popcorn sounds great." She said, "But I get to pick the movie."
Rain's lips curved. "Deal."
Suddenly, a loud bang echoed through the house, snapping their heads toward the second floor.
"What was that?" Lily whispered, her eyes wide.
Rain instinctively grabbed onto a frying pan. Her grip firm.
With a swift gesture she gave, Lily instantly moved behind her.
Slowly, they crept up the stairs, their eyes darting past each doorway.
The rooms were empty.
Only one room remained—Rain's.
As they approached, the sound grew louder.
Whatever had made it in, was certainly inside her room.
"Stay here," Rain said, leaving Lily in the hallway. She pushed open her half closed door.
Her grip tightened on the pan, until her knuckles ached.
Her eyes landed on the widely open window and the vase knocked over on her desk. Rain stepped closer, stretching her head out the window.
One of the cars parked in the driveway door, stood slightly open.
She frowned.
She didn't remember it being that way. Rain swallowed, but her throat remained dry, before carefully pulling the window shut.
"What was that?" Lily's voice echoed from the hallway.
"Nothing," Rain replied, straightening the vase. She turned around to leave, Suddenly...
A loud scream tore from her throat as she lifted the pan, ready to strike.
"It's me! It's me!" Nora yelled, stepping forward.
She lifted her empty hands, her eyes shut tight.
"What the heck, Nora!" Rain cursed, clutching her dark curls, trying to steady her pounding heart.
"You scared the shit out of me." Rain put down the frying pan, the metallic clang echoed through the warmly lit pink room.
"I scared you?" Nora asked, stunned. "You scared me!" Slumping onto the bed. She exhaled slowly.
"We have a door." Rain said, leaning against her desk.
"I know." Nora replied. A grin stretching across her lips.
"I thought using the window would be fun."
Rain stared at her in silence.
Disbelief flickered across her face, as she released a scoff.
Rain's head snapped to the creaking sound of the wooden floor, as Lily walked into the room, trying to wear a warm smile "Hi, Nora." She waved.
"Hi, how are you?" Nora asked. Her expression was like that of a child who had just seen a new toy.
Lily's lips parted to respond but, before a word came out Nora asked more questions.
"You must be excited right, starting Junior high?"
"Well…."
"Nora!" Rain snapped. "Stop trying to drown her in questions."
Nora lifted her hands in surrender. "Sorry."
Rain's focus shifted to her sister. "Go to your room." She said, "I will be with you in a minute."
Lily hesitated. Then nodded, before she left for her room. Slightly closing the door behind her.
For a while, there was silence.
"Now tell me?" Rain asked. Her voice firm, and hands folded across her chest.
"What?" Nora asked without looking her way. Flipping through the books by her bed.
She scanned through the pages and chuckled. "Who the hell still reads poetry?"
"I do." Rain snatched the book from her hands and placed them in her drawer.
"Tell me," Rain repeated. "Why are you here?"