Pandora’s Bedroom
“Pandora.” Jason sighed, causing her to wince at his tone. The last time she heard that from him, she had been yelling at him and kicking him out of her hotel room. But he surprised her by sitting next to her and placing his arm around her shoulders.
“Don’t go thinking you have to struggle with this all on your own, kiddo. Do you know how many people pray for this sort of result? Brock will be over the moon when he finds out.”
“I know that, Jason…and I’m happy about it, despite everything…but…” she sighed, raking her fingers through her hair. “Brock’s not here. I don’t know where he is, if he’s safe, or when he’s coming back. I don’t know if he’s alive or dead. How am I supposed to tell our child about where he is and why he left us alone?”
She looked down at the stick pressed into her hand by Jason.
“You’re going to be a great Mommy.”
“Oh yes. Shining example of motherhood I had. Willing to sell her daughter’s body for an ounce of coke to her pimp husband.” she snorted. She looked at the two lines denoting her pregnant state before looking at Jason. “Do you think so?” She sounded so uncharacteristically lost.
As Jason rushed to reassure her that Pandora would be a fantastic mother, the sound of the doorbell pealed through the house. Frowning, Pandora went to the window and looked to see who could be at her door. Her eyes widened in shock and without a word to Jason, she ran from the room, flying down the stairs at a neck-breaking pace.
She tossed open the door and with a scream of happiness, enveloped the two young men who were standing on her porch.
“Oh my god! What are you guys doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be at school?” she exclaimed as she stepped back. Jason and Jane would see two identical young men standing in the door and most likely wonder who they were.
“We’re on summer break.” the one on the left said.
“And we decided to come see you.” stated the one on the right. Pandora threw her arms around them again as they shared a three-way hug.
“I am so glad to see you both. I’ve missed you so much.” Pandora whispered, tears clogging her throat.
“Hey, sis? What’s with the waterworks?” came the expected question. Pandora stepped back with a laugh, grabbing them by their hands and pulling them into the house.
“It’s nothing. I’ll tell you later.” She saw Jason and Jane and laughed, forgetting that her friends were there for the moment.
“Jason Lumbard, Jane Harrison – meet my brothers, Caleb and Caden.” she introduced.
“Nice to meet you!” the twins stated in unison, friendly smiles on their faces. Pandora looked at her brothers.
“How long are you guys in town for?”
Caleb looked at his brother in silent conversation before they both turned to look at their sister.
“Permanently, actually.” Caden stated. Pandora’s eyes widened.
“What? What about school? You can’t just up and leave like that!” she exclaimed.
“We didn’t.” Caleb told her. She glared at them both, hands on her hips.
“Explain! Now!” she demanded. In reply, Caden handed his sister a letter. “What’s this?”
“Read it, sis.” he urged. Frowning at them both, she directed her gaze down at the words on the paper. It was on college letterhead and it took her a moment to process what she was reading.
“Why does this say that you both have been accepted as transfers to Washington State?”
“Because we have.” Caleb grinned.
“You’re moving here?”
“Yes.” they both answered.
“Why?”
“One, to be close to you of course. And two, because they have a better medical program then the one back home.”
“Jesus, you two.” Pandora sniffled, hugging them both once more. “What am I going to do with you?”
“How about some food? I thought I smelled spaghetti.” Caden grinned.
“You did. We were just about to eat.” Pandora laughed. “And…we have a lot to talk about.” She realized she neglected to tell her brothers about her and Brock being together again…among other things. This was going to be an enlightening conversation – doubly so since Jane didn’t have a single idea about Pandora’s own abilities.