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Goodbyes.
This was the part Rain hated the most, because it somehow felt permanent.
The trunk was completely full, despite her attempts to slow down the loading phase.
"That's it. Last one." Rain's voice came out low. The trunk clang shut, thankfully every suitcase had fit into it without bursting open.
Rain leaned closer to her mother, Elizabeth Warren. She didn't speak immediately, neither did her mother.
She stood still, her expression filled with longing, her gaze pinned on the house. Then her eyes fell on Rain.
"Are you sure you'll be fine?" She asked, unease faint in her voice. "Your stepfather and I can stay back, we can go next year."
Rain nodded her head in disagreement. This was the first time her mother was taking time for herself.
And it was their anniversary.
Even though she didn't want her gone, she wasn't going to stop her from being happy. "It's just two weeks. How hard could it be babysitting an eleven year old."
Elizabeth remained silent, then another voice grabbed her attention. "Yes. Listen to Rain Mom." Zeb tossed his backpack into the back seat. "She's got everything under control."
He took a few steps and reached her. "Right?"
Rain's lips curved into a small smile while staring at her brother. She didn't expect him to defend her. Maybe he was trying to have a nice farewell because he was leaving as well.
Then a mischievous grin appeared across his face that made her raise a brow. "Let's hope the house isn't burnt down before you come."
Rain gasped. There it was, the annoying demon for an elder brother. "I was nine dimwit." She shot him a blazing look, "You don't have to haunt me with that memory."
But his smile simply grew wider as he stuck his tongue out, making an exaggerated face at her. Rain shook her head in disbelief, she couldn't help but wonder; when would he grow up?
A question she had always asked herself. But he never did, and he never will.
"Alright Zeb, stop with the teasing." Paul interrupted, coming to the rescue as always.
"You know you won't get to see her until your redeployment." He added, his fingers lightly resting on the arms of his wheelchair.
"And that's why I'm enjoying it while it lasts." Zeb chuckled loudly, his fingers ruffling through her black curly hair.
Elizabeth watched them in the soft glow of the evening sun. She was used to the banter transformed into laughter and she could only smile at them.
A soft hand tugged on her dress, her gaze dropped and Lily stared back. The sunlight reflecting on her shiny brown hair.
She tilted her head slightly, "Be good, okay?" Her voice was laced with mild sternness. Lily nodded, then walked over to her father. She crouched slightly and leaned in for a hug.
"Okay my little nugget." Paul breathed while squeezing in on a good embrace. "Don't cause trouble." He said, then glanced over to Rain, a smile still etched on his lips.
"Aren't you forgetting someone." Zeb's voice came through as he straightened his uniform. She rushed to him giving a quick embrace and after into their special handshake.
"Have fun at base." Her voice was soft, almost like a whisper.
"Yeah." Rain added, "be useful and bring back a general's barge or something." She said flatly, looking everywhere but his eyes.
Zeb breathed out a laugh, juggling the car keys in his hand. "I will try. But don't keep your hopes high." He moved closer because he wanted to hug her, but stopped. He knew she wouldn't want that. They all knew.
Zeb helped his father into the front seat and folded the wheel chair into the back.
"Don't forget to call me if you need anything." Elizabeth gripped Rain's hand tightly. Rain held back before she slipped into the car.
"I'm sure I won't need to. See you soon." She smiled. The engine made a gentle roar, Rain's hand lifted up for a wave as the car finally drove into the distance.
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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's eyes were glued to her phone, she didn't respond.
"Is everything okay?" Rain asked, moving closer. Then her head lifted, a smile spread across her face.
"Nothing," placing her phone over the table "Popcorn sounds great." She said, "But I get to pick the movie."
Rain's lips curved. "Deal." Then turned back to the cabinet.
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?"