The Self Harmed by Chalen D. (electric book reader TXT) 📕

“Do my kids know me or what?” he asked, Mom holding up the copy of Edgar Allen Poe poems. “Best Christmas ever.” He stood, “Love you son.”

“Love you too. Mom.” Caden held the box out.

I grabbed the camera and zoomed in on them.

“The best gifts come in little packages.” She smiled, and opened the box. “Oh my.”

“See.” Caden scooted closer to her on his knees, “It has a soccer ball because you went to all my games and cheered until you lost your voice, and this is that one time Dad couldn’t go to my recital, and you made it in his place.”

“Oh, yeah, it’s a little piano.” She hiccupped, pointing at the charm on the bracelet.

“ And Remember that one time you took me to the Doctor ‘cause I broke my arm? You almost killed the nurse because she didn’t give me a lollypop.” Mom laughed and kissed his face.

“And then his ones for that one time-“

“I fixed your first broken heart.” Mom sobbed once.

“Alice Vancor.” He nodded.

“I love it!” She yanked him halfway onto her lap. “Thank you sweat heart! Put it on.” She sniffed, and handed it to him.

He put it on, and Mom showed the camera. I smiled. I had been present for all of those events. I had Caden’s back on the soccer field, I had sang when he was playing the piano, and Mom almost did strangle the nurse, and then demanded I got a lollypop too for her mistake. And it was I who had pushed Alice into a mud puddle after she had accepted Joeys bracelet and had tossed Caden’s on the ground, and said ‘Haha!’

“Alright. Charlie’s present.” Caden went to the tree and I handed over the camera to Jackson.

“Here.” Caden knelt in front of me.

I ripped open the box and stared at what was indside.

“Remember when I promised I would fix it?” He asked, his face a little worried. “Do you like it?”

And then I was crying. I set the box down and pulled him into a hug.

“Thank you.” I dug my face into his neck.

“You’re welcome.”

“What is it?” Mom aksed.

I pulled it out.

“Oh.” Mom cried again.

I wound the little knob and the little princess at the top of the castle twirled and it sang. I didn’t remember were I got it from, but it had broke when I was a little girl. I was so sad about it, and Caden promised he would glue it back together, but he never had the chance.

“And since I didn’t buy you that one.” He handed me a box.

“A second present?” I asked.

“Well it’s more for me than you.” He grinned. “Open it.”

I opened it and laughed.

“It’s purple.” I pulled out the cordless controller and the matching head set.

“Custom made.” Caden grinned. “I know you don’t care took much for pink.”

“I love them.” I gave him another hug.

“So I wanted to show you something Caden.” Jackson said, walking to the tree. “Come here.” Jackson grabbed a small picture, “It’s the biggest present for you and Charlie. The picture will let you know what it is.”

“What is it?” Caden shuffled over and took the picture.

Caden looked at Jackson and then at Mom mouth open.

“What is it?” I wanted to know.

“Show your sister.” Jackson nodded.

Caden showed me the picture.

“You’re pregnant!” I yelled at my Mom jumping once. “Holly shit!”

Mom laughed and held out a paper, “Want to see the other one?”

“Yeah.” I took it. “Wait twins!” I yelled.

Mom laughed again.

“Can your body handle it?” Caden asked Mom.

“Caden!” I hissed.

“It’s fine.” Mom said. “He has every right to know. Because I am a little older now we asked the Doctor.”

“And?” We both said.

“The Babies and I are all fine.” She smiled.

“Yes!” Caden scooped me up off the floor. “Oh my God!”

“So if they're was a boy,” Mom began. “What would you –“

“Caleb.” I cut her off.

“Coltan.” Caden added.

“And Chloe for a girl.” I added.

“I kind of like, Oh never mind,” He laughed. “I was going to say Charlotte.” We all laughed with him,

“Mayb... I’m only coming up with Caroline.”

“That’s cute.” I nodded.

“I like it too.” Mom nodded.

"Can I have these?” I asked. “I want to make a Baby book.”

“Yeah,” Caden said. “She made a kick ass year book.”

“Sure.” Mom nodded.

“And I was thinking about a nice yellow for the room."

“No!” I moaned, “Don’t do that to them!”

“They have to have individuality!” Caden said on my side.

“How about if it’s a girl Caden will do her room, and Charlie will do the boy’s room. A little gender switch up.” Jackson offered.

“Best room wins, Sister?” Caden grinned.

"No!” Mom moaned.

“Yes.” I pointed at him.

“And we should put the names in a bowl when we find out the gender so it will be fair.” Caden said.

“Oh! And can we tell the Doctor to put the gender in an envelope and bring it to a bakery and have surprise cakes? I think it would be good for the book.” I said.

“I’m in.” Jackson said.

“Me too.” Mom agreed. “Are you still filming?”

“Yeah, whoops.” He turned it off.

I took my presents up stairs and grabbed my back pack. I had snagged a picture book from Mr. Pepper, he had extra ones. I knew it would come in handy. I took out a gold marker, and stuck the pictures inside.

'Baby A and Baby B, A boy or girl? Soon we Shall see.’ I wrote down.

“We should write that on the cake.” Caden said.

“You scared me.” I jumped.

“Sorry.” He grinned. “Dad told me to tell you to take a shower because the stylist wants freshly washed hair.

“Okay.”

He left my room pulling his phone out of his pocket. I sat down and grabbed my cell phone box. I pulled the phone out and turned it on. I set it on the bed side table to charge and jumped in the shower.

The stylist’s name was Jenna. She was quick with my makeup and hair, because she knew what she was doing. I pulled on a red dress and a pair of black heels. I hurried down stairs.

“You’re Jackson’s step daughter right?” A woman asked. “You are just so pretty.”

“His daughter, yes.” I said sternly.

“Do you know where he is?” She asked, tripping a little, as I narrowed my eyes. “I work with him.” “Sure, He’s in the ally, out front.”

“Okay.” She turned to the front door, and Caden caught her shoulders.

“She’s kidding he’s by the pool.”

“Thanks,” She left

Jackson walked out of the kitchen, and into the formal living room.

“You are so evil.” I laughed.

“An alley?” He questioned.

“You want to test out our stuff in the basement after the party?” I questioned.

“Yeah definitely.”

After gaming all night we both walked into the dining room Eyes swollen and red. Our teacher greeted us with a smile and said something in French. She asked something in French. Caden and I looked at each other and then looked at her.

“Huh?”

“You both look like hell. You have to be ready for French. It’s an art.”

“We’re ready.” Caden Nodded.

“Good now sit. I have some books for you, and some tapes.”

We both sat down. My head began to nod.

“Charlotte.” Mrs. Kalen said, but it was, Caden she had scared.

After she left Caden and I had went back to the basement. We had turned on our tapes to learn but ended up falling asleep. For the next couple of days we met with Mrs. Kalen. And soon it was time to go back to school.

We were sitting in the back seat singing to the radio. Jackson had taken us out to eat, and we were headed Home. The car had served out of nowhere. I only had time to clutch Caden’s had and Yell Da- before it was too late. They said it was a head on that had broken my arm, they told me Caden wasn’t waking up. I paced in front of his room, as Mom and Jackson where getting coffee.

I grabbed a Doctors arm, “You have to help him.”

“We’re trying Miss-“

“No, you don’t understand.” I wiped at my cheek in anger with my good hand. “He brings me back when I start to forget who I am. You cannot let my brother die.”

“We’ll do whatever we can. Excuse me.”

Jackson pulled me into a hug.

“I’m not going to school. I can’t.” I sobbed into him, “Not without Caden.”

“You don’t have too.” He rubbed my back. “Maybe you should go home and get some sleep. Maybe take a shower?”

“No.” I wiped my face. “I’m staying here.”

“Honey.” Mom touched my arm.

I pushed open Caden’s door and sat by his bed. It was around two when I had fallen asleep with my head on his bed. At seven Mom made me go get food. She said it was go with her, or go to school. She grabbed her phone.

“Hello?”

I looked up from my fries.

“Are you sure?” She asked, setting her cup down and starting the car, “Put your seatbelt on.” She told me.

I pulled it tight.

“I’m coming now. Bye.” She hung up the phone. “It’s Caden,”

“What happened?”

“He’s awake. “ She looked at me in the review mirror. “And he’s asking for you.”

Hope had flared inside of me. Something I wasn’t really used to and I nodded. We had both ran through the hospital to the room. I was breathing heavy and was slightly dizzy when We made it to the room. And There he was. Caden. He grinned a lazy smile, but it was still a smile.

I stumbled a little from being dizzy and smacked my forehead with my good hand. Caden sat up and held out a hand, as Mom grabbed me. Jackson hurried over and grabbed onto my arm. He walked me over to the bed and Caden and I hugged.

“You okay?” He asked.

“Broken arm.”

“Me too. And