I creep down the stairs, my nightgown that was too long trailing behind me. I had heard Mom's quiet whimpers again. I hated it when she did that. I hated it when she cried.

Random nights like this had started to come more and more often. I'd creep out of my bed and down the stairs to find Mom on the couch, Dad cradling her in his arms. Mom's sobs broke my young heart. Dad tried to be strong for her, but I'd often catch tears streaming down his face as well, silent and solemn.

"Gen?"

Before I can get down the stairs, Elena emerges from her bedroom, arms crossed and sleep in her eyes. "What're you doing babe?"

"Elena, Mommy's crying again," I whisper, pointing down the stairs.

She glances down and then strains to hear the sobs. I can tell when she notices them because her lips press into a fine line. She gently grabs me around my chubby little wrist and pulls me into herself. I sit on her lap and she strokes my hand.

"Why is she crying Elena? It scares me."

"Now, Gen," she starts gently. "Mommy and Daddy lost someone a long time ago." She swallows. "It's hard for them and they still need a cry every now and then," is all she says.

As a young girl, I hadn't bothered to ask much more. I didn't push. Mom and Dad were struggling with a loss and that's all I needed to know.

Never, in all the time I'd had to myself alone on the streets, did I dream that the person they were mourning was someone I should've grown up to know and love.

No one ever told me who it was, when I had every right to know.

No one ever told me...

That I had a brother.

I grip the side of the chair forcefully. Tears push their way over my eyelids rapidly. Aunt Cassie looks at me with such pain in her face, I almost forget how much I hate her right now.

"You..." I gasp.

She shakes her head regretfully. "Honey, I-"

"Don't call me that," I demand, surprising even myself. "You... You killed him," I whisper the pain so evident in my voice that it physically hurts.

"Gen..." she pleads.

"Don't tell me it was an accident!" I hiss. "You didn't get drunk on accident. You didn't start driving that car on accident."

"Gen, your parents were getting ready to tell you but you were so young, they didn't want to hurt you like that yet and-"

"There wouldn't be anything to tell if you hadn't decided to go for a drive after too much BEER!" I accuse my voice getting louder.

"Gen, I'm so tired of the guilt. I wanted to apologize and put the past behind I-"

"You expect me to hear I had a brother and then just put it all behind me???" I shriek.

Never have I been so angry. Never have I actually hated a person. Not until today.

"Gen?"

Mrs. T's voice comes from upstairs. I don't even flinch. I keep staring Aunt Cassie right in the eye, the waterfall of tears still flooding.

"You waltz in here, finally tell me this dirty secret and expect me to go back home and live happily ever after with you?" I mock.

Aunt Cassie stares at her hands. "Maybe it was foolish to think you could ever forgive me."

I scoff, just as I feel a warm hand gently grab my arm as if to keep me from pouncing on this woman.

"Ssshhhhh," Mrs. T croons in my ear.

I notice how heavily I'm breathing.

"Everything's going to be ok," she strokes my head slowly.

I shake her arms off me. I immediately feel bad for doing so, but I have to get away from... Everyone. I don't even want to talk to God right now.

I march up the stairs and manage to refrain from slamming the door when I get inside my room. Pacing anxiously around the room, I try to imagine what comes next.

Well one thing's for sure, I'm never going anywhere with Aunt Cassie. No sir, no ma'am. I hope she leaves right now.

Stopping in front of my bed, I collapse on top of it and let the sobs shake me.

I was so done with the past. When I came to the Tolias I thought, maybe I could leave it behind. Never forget, of course, but never cry again either. I thought I could be happy and live with a family again. But it came back to haunt me.

The Past came knocking. The Past. Aka Aunt Cassie.

Aunt Cassie... Swerved into the sidewalk where my brother was walking.... Elena was only two years old... I wasn't even born yet.

I flop over onto my back and stare at the ceiling, my breaths still short. I wonder if Josie knew about all this?And had Elena known who exactly Mom and Dad had lost or had she not been told yet either?

Oh, I hope she knew... I didn't want her to have died without knowing this truth. It's a painful truth, yes. But one  that she had the right to know.

Mrs. T appears in the doorway which I hadn't even bothered to close. I look at her with a straight face and refuse to be the first to talk. The conversation with Aunt Cassie has really brought out the worst in me...

Mrs. T takes in a deep, long breath.

"Wanna talk about it?" she asks.

I shake my head and cross my arms like a stubborn five year old. Mrs. T doesn't know what to do after that. She simply stands in the doorway tapping her foot. Finally, she looks at me, says, "We can talk when you're ready," and leaves, closing the door behind her.

I bite my lip to see if it will stop the waterworks. It doesn't. More tears escape. I slowly sit up on my bed.

Maybe I should talk to someone. I don't know what else to do after all, and the emotions I'm bottling up are starting to physically hurt my chest. They need a way out. But I don't want to talk to anyone... 

Not unless you can get Mom, Dad, or Elena back for me.

Maybe talking to Josie will do me some good...? We were really close as kids, and despite the fact that I hate her mom right now, I think Josie is trustworthy.

I push myself off the bed and slowly make my way downstairs. Aunt Cassie is sitting on the couch next to Mrs. T.

I feel like ripping Mrs. T away from her. Instead, I take a deep breath and walk up behind them.

"Aunt Cassie?" I whisper, my voice quivering. "Does Josie know?"

Aunt Cassie takes in an unsteady breath. "I... I was too ashamed to mention it to her before... Umm... This morning... That's why she didn't come with me... She's as mad as you are. And rightfully so." She quickly adds in that last part.

I sigh and whisper, "Wha-at was hi-his name?"

Aunt Cassie is still facing away from me. Her head goes down and her eyes study her lap and she answers, "Max."

It's my turn to breathe deeply in order to keep my composure.

"Well..." I start. "Can I see Josie?"

Aunt Cassie simply nods. "Come with me," she says.

I don't move. "Can Mrs. T come along?" I ask.

Aunt Cassie looks a little hurt but she manages and small smile and nods. "Of course."

Mrs. T runs upstairs to let her husband now that she'll be out for a while. When she comes back down, Mr. T is trailing behind her. He walks up to me and wraps me in a quick hug. "You're a strong girl," he whispers in my ear.

I squeeze him back.

We get in Aunt Cassie's car- which I hate. All the little things going on remind me of what I've seen in my past- and learned about my past.

The ride is filled with complete and utter silence. I hardly notice though, because the sound of my thoughts is deafening.

It doesn't take long to pull up to the Best Western Hotel. I leap out of fe car and watch as Aunt Cassie and Mrs. T climb out likes it's an casual day.

Still, no one says a word. Aunt Cassie simply starts walking and I follow along with Mrs. T. We stroll through the big double doors and head straight for the elevator which takes us up to the fifth floor.

We stop in front of room 532. Aunt Cassie opens the door, but doesn't go in.

"Mom?" I hear Josie call. She comes to the door, still in her pjs, her tangled hair falling around her face.

"Mom!" she gasps. "You didn't tell me anyone was coming," she mumbles.

"They're family dear. It's fine. I'm going to hang out in the lobby with Mrs. T. Gen just wanted to see you."

Josie looks at me a sudden understanding crossing her eyes. She grabs me by the arm and drags me inside. I land my rear end on the edge of one of the double beds, still unmade.  Josie sits next to me. "She told you didn't she?" she whispers.

I nod and she instantly pulls me to herself. She says nothing else. Even when my tears start wetting her shirt, she remains silent. It almost feels like she's waiting for me to say something, but I remain silent too.

When you're as confused and upset as I am, the feeling of something old yet very familiar is a beautiful thing.

For me that was Josie's arms around me. My own flesh and blood. She seems to understand me, despite the years we've spent apart.