Page 250 of Knox Academy Omnibus
“It’s all sweet over here,” he says, avoiding eye contact with me.
“Good,” my father snaps. “Get your asses in the bloody minivan.”
We all stand and make our way to the car, Kalen helping my father carry the Esky. Aadi and Smalls take the first seats in the van and Kalen and I have to take the back. Chelsea even gives Kalen control of the music and we end up listening to Chelsea’s Blondie playlist. ‘Heart of Glass’spills through the car, Smalls groans and puts his headphones in and Aadi follows suit. I don’t blame them, both Kalen and Chelsea sing very off key, but the smiles are well worth it.
Two hours, and one pee stop later, we arrive at Australia Zoo. Kalen is buzzing with excitement, taking in everything around him.
“Take a picture of me in front of the sign?” Kalen asks, thrusting his phone at me. “Make sure you take a few so I have options to put online.” He races into position. I peek a glance at Smalls, still hurt he won’t look at me. He rolls his eyes at Kalen and I flip him off. Aadi gives us a serious look, as if to say ‘knock it off’.
We take our time exploring, watching Kalen’s face light up at each enclosure, taking photos of all the animals. I must admit bringing Kalen here was a fantastic idea, even better than when we brought Chelsea's niece.
Dad and Chelsea walk hand in hand, while Aadi and Smalls trail behind talking amongst themselves. I hang back and wait, hoping to talk to Aadi. Small notices and walks away.
“Hey, sis.” I cringe. I knew letting Kalen say it would come back to bite me on the ass. “What’s going on between you and the big man?”
“You don’t want to know, it could result in a few deaths and I can’t have any more of that on my conscience.” I laugh nervously because Aadi would slaughter Smalls for wanting me, Kalen for sleeping with me, and me for getting caught.
“I want to ask you a favour,” I murmur nervously, glancing over at Kalen who is running for the kids’ zoo.
“You know I would do anything for you,” he says, throwing his arm over my shoulder pulling me close as we walk together.
“Even make friends with Kalen?” A small smirk pulls at his lips.
“You want a favour and you are willing to use it on one of your boyfriends?” I nod.
“How does that whole dynamic work anyway? Do you, like, split days?”
I laugh. I wondered how long until he would ask. “Nah, we prefer gang bangs,” I quip. He stops dead in his tracks, holding me back with him. “Kidding, twin sandwiches aren’t bad though.” His jaw ticks with anger.
“I’m sorry I asked.”
I lose it and laughter escapes me.
“They make me happy. And to answer your earlier question, that is what Smalls is struggling with. I know you don’t approve, but we had something between us for years and fighting it was hard. My heart broke splinter by splinter over the years. And now we are moving on, cutting those ties fucking sucks.” Aadi and I stop walking. Kalen’s and Chelsea’s laughter seeps out of the kiddie area.
Aadi pulls me tight into his arms and rests his chin on my head. “I will talk to him, the thought of anyone defiling my little sister makes me murderous, but you’re a big girl now andas for Crack Barbie inside, I promise I will make an effort to get to know him. I will even take him out and show him the town...Rossi style.”
I groan. Show him the town means taking him to some guys ‘crib’ and getting wasted while actual crack whores try to rub themselves on any willing dumb fuck, ones so wasted they’re not afraid of catching herpes.
“Thank you. As far as big brothers go, you’re pretty cool.”
Aadi shoves me away playfully. “Let’s go rescue Dad from that insanity.”
The rest of the day flies by in a blur of Kalen running around like a squirrel on crack, which was eventful in the kangaroo enclosure. He tried to take a selfie with one that wasn’t as enthusiastic as he was. Now he can add kangaroos to his ever-growing list of phobias. A busted lip from being headbutted by a kangaroo should be a good story he can tell his grandkids.
Baxter
What’s this thing that thumps inside your chest?
Amelie
A heart? Did you purchase one on the black market?
Baxter
Maybe I did.
Amelie
