Eden-South by Janelle Stalder Read Free Book Online Page B

had the
bright idea to stay in the garage and appear busy. So far it had
worked, because his mother had yet to come out and find him. He sat
on one of the lawn chairs in there and watched the cars drive by.
It wasn’t much fun, but it was better than doing more chores.
Around three thirty Ethan came up the driveway and saw Aiden
sitting in the garage.
    “Hey,” he called out. “What are you doing in
here?” he asked, looking around.
    “Hiding,” Aiden replied honestly.
    “Hiding? From what?”
    “My mother,” he replied. “She has been on me
ever since I got suspended. She keeps giving me all these things to
do around here, and it’s driving me nuts.”
    Ethan chuckled, grabbing a seat beside him.
“Well, I guess it is her job to punish you, right?” Aiden looked
over at him like he had just been betrayed. “Sorry,” he said,
laughing and holding up his hands. “You’re right: that evil woman!
What was I thinking?”
    “Whatever,” Aiden replied, kicking at a
pebble on the floor. “So how was school today?”
    “Boring as usual, so don’t worry—you haven’t
missed much. Although Melissa did ask about you today.”
    Aiden sat up and looked at him in shock.
“Really? What did she say?”
    “She just asked what happened to you, and
when I told her you had been suspended, she asked if you were all
right.”
    “Really?” Aiden smiled. She had actually
asked if he was all right. She cared about how he was.
    “Yes, really.” Ethan rolled his eyes. “She
also professed her undying love for you, and said she can’t wait to
bear your children.”
    Aiden shoved him, almost sending him right
off his chair. “Shut up,” he said. Ethan laughed in response,
telling him he was a lovesick fool. The two of them sat in the
garage for a while, before his mother finally found them. She told
Ethan he had to go, reminding Aiden that he was grounded and
therefore was not allowed to see his friends. Ethan said his
goodbyes, and once again Aiden was left alone in his prison.
    “Come inside and watch your sister for a
bit,” his mother said, waiting for him to get out of the garage
before closing it. His one last sanctuary was gone. “I need to go
to the store and grab some things for dinner.”
    After they ate, Aiden went up to his bedroom
and hid from the rest of his family. He was exhausted from the
day’s chores, and looked at his bed with longing. He still had too
much homework to do, though, so sleep would have to wait. Turning
on his computer, he waited while the thing booted up. Ethan chatted
to him while he worked, and before he knew it, it was already ten.
Letting out a long yawn, he told Ethan they’d talk tomorrow and
shut down the computer. Walking down the stairs toward the
bathroom, he passed by Eddie’s room and saw her standing in the
crib.
    “Why, hello, little one.” He smiled,
entering the bedroom. She smiled back, reaching up for him to grab
her. “It’s bedtime,” he said quietly, lifting her into his arms.
Sitting on the rocking chair that sat in a corner of her room, he
picked up a book that lay beside it and started to read to her as
they rocked. Eddie sat contently in his lap as he read, resting the
back of her head against his chest.
    “What’s going on in here?” he heard his
mother say. He looked up to see her standing in the doorway.
    “Just a quick bedtime story,” he answered,
smiling.
    “Sucker,” she said. “Looks like she knows
who’s wrapped around her finger.” He shrugged, knowing it was the
truth. There wasn’t much he wouldn’t do for his sister. He finished
reading and then passed her off to their mother, giving her a quick
kiss on the forehead. Heading toward the bathroom, he wondered what
it must be like to be a baby. Everything was done for you. There
were no responsibilities, no problems at that age. How nice it
must be, he thought.
    Climbing back up to the attic, he called out
a quick goodnight to his parents before shutting the door.
    “See you in