Cassidy didn't take kindly to insults.

Through his life, it was only really his ex who'd fired them at him. He'd reciprocated during their arguments, but doing so always left a bad taste in his mouth. It wasn't that he couldn't hold his own when they disagreed, or through those at other times with other people, he just didn't resort to name calling. It served no purpose other than to fill the void in a tirade where no meaningful words could be thought of.

"If I'd known you were going to be here, Snot Face, I'd have kept away."

'Snot Face' wasn't as good as 'Fuck Face', but while his sister had allowed her pet name for him to mature, he'd kept hers the same since they were children. It wasn't an insult if it was meant in jest and love.

"Well, now you're here, you can buy me a drink."

He turned around to face Jazz and smiled. It was a genuine grin, welcoming someone whom he hadn't seen for too long. She coloured her hair, again, and the deep purple hombre mixed well with the almost natural auburn of her long hair. At least this time, she'd allowed the last dye application to grow out properly before diving in again. As soon as she'd been able to, both with age and permission, her hair colour had begun a cycle of shades. It was her way of expressing individuality, she'd told him.

"I like your hair," he said. "Though isn't it a little subdued for you? Where's the neon? Normally, it's so bright, Batman gets confused cos he thinks Gotham is in trouble!"

"You'd be a funny fucker, if you were funny."

"So I'm just a fucker, then?"

"You said it! Now get me a drink."

Cassidy ordered a drink for her, and Jazz led him to her table. There were two empty pint glasses and a mostly empty crisp packet.

"You on a session?" He asked, indicating the glasses.

His sister smiled and shook her head.

"Just bored. I haven't had a proper sesh for months. I'm in these shake things to help lose weight, and too much alcohol ain't conducive for weight loss."

"Weight loss? Why?"

Jazz had never been concerned about her weight before. She'd never really had reason to. Though it could vary somewhat, she was nowhere close to obese and, often, he'd thought she could do with gaining a few pounds.

"I'm just eating too much crap. And drinking it too."

Cass nodded. He could tell there was another reason, but if she didn't want to broach it, he'd learned not to push. Jazz liked her privacy, even from her brothers. She didn't mind talking through her problems with them, it had to be on her terms. When she was ready, she'd open up. Or, sometimes, she wouldn't.

"So, why are you in the Oak if you're cutting out the beer? You haven't moved back here, have you?"

"Cos everyone needs a blow out sometimes. I've been drinking like a five-year-old recently. Juice. Water. Coffee. I just fancied a couple of drinks, so the wagon is parked outside and I'll be back on it once I leave here. I might just keep one foot off."

Cassidy laughed. His sister always had a unique way of putting things.

"I don't think five-year-olds are meant to be drinking coffee. Good job you don't have any kids. They'd be up all night, high on caffeine!"

Jazz didn't smile. She just nodded and stared at her drink. After a brief silence, she took a sip.

"Who's the father?"

She looked up, sharply. He instantly knew he was right. His sister had never been maternal. Her youthful independence hadn't faded as she reached adulthood. She wasn't against children, she just didn't want any of her own. He didn't realise she was even seeing someone. Jazz's sexuality was her own affair and, recently, she'd been with Tess. Tess was a... oh, what was she...? Something to do with numbers, but not an accountant. Cass couldn't remember, but could remember the striking blue eyes and smile. Tess was confident and funny. She and Jazz had made a good couple.

"You don't know him."

"What happened with Tess? I thought you two were solid?"

"We were, until we weren't," she said. "We're still friends, just not... you know... friendly."

"That's a shame. What's his name?"

"Don't worry about it. You don't know him. You won't get to know him, either."

"What do you mean?"

"I... It was a mistake. I thought he was right for me, and I was wrong. When I told him I was pregnant, he moved out while I was at work. Took everything he owned. Blocked me. So, fuck him."

"Fuck him," Cass agreed.

It had been a while since he'd spoken to his sister, he knew. Had it really been that long? He felt bad. Disappointed in himself. Yes, contact was a two way thing and she hadn't messaged or phoned him, but he had neglected her, too. The split and move overtook his life, so the outside world had blended into the background. Hopefully, that would change, and this news from Jazz was the prompt he shouldn't have needed.

"So, what's happening with you? Why are you here?"

Well, there was a question. What was wrong with him? Nothing was the answer. Nothing was wrong with him. He'd needed some air, that was all.

"I just fancied a walk and ended up here."

"That shit with Elise getting to you?"

And the rest...

"I suppose so. It's not helping."

"What else, then? Come on, you can tell your big sister."

Cassidy was the youngest of the three siblings by three years. Between Ethan and Jazz was about a year and a half. The difference wasn't huge and yet they took pleasure in making a point of his relative youth.

He shrugged. Nothing to see here. Move along.

"Don't bullshit me," Jazz said, with a prod to his ribs. "What's going on?"

"I had a bit of a bust up with her earlier, that's all. And it's too quiet in the new place."

Quiet. That would be nice.

"A bust up? Why? What happened?"

"It's not important. Just general shit."

"Relationships can go like that. Maybe blocking someone is the best way to go. You can't be ranted at, for a start. You can ignore any responsibilities you left behind and act like life just carries on."

Now that was a pointed comment. Cassidy could taste the bitterness dripping from her words. He could completely understand why it was there and welcome the diversion. Swing the conversation back to her. Get it away from him.

"Are you going to keep it?"

Jazz rested her hand on her stomach and Cass looked to see if there was a bump yet. He couldn't see one, so it had to be early days.

"You don't get out of talking that easy," she said, her face stern. "What's the deal?"

What was the deal, apart from it being a favourite phrase of his sister? When she used it, you knew she would not let up until you admitted what was going on. The woman could be relentless in her pursuit of what ailed you, so it was often easier to simply open up. That wasn't such a good idea here. He'd already told Ethan, and more had happened since then. His could-have-been-fatal fall, for one thing. Jazz clearly had problems of her own to contend with. Why add his madness to it?

"Nothing, really. I'm trying to adjust, and it's not easy."

"I bet. And?"

"And what? That's it."

"Come on, Fuck Face. I know when you're hiding something. Just give it up."

"I'm really not," Cass protested. "Honest."

He winced internally at that. 'Honest' was a word akin to rhombus. Both were used instead of 'promise.' The three never broke promises to each other, so all knew what the substitution of the word meant. You were not promising. You weren't necessarily lying, but also were not entirely telling the truth.

"See? Bullshit."

Cass sighed and shrugged again.

"I don't know what to tell you."

"How about telling me about the haunting?"

https://youtu.be/kxtg4zh_Osw