She just nodded.
“That’s why the job changed?”
“Yes,” she said.
“What about the apartment?It would have been safer here.”
“The notes threatened to harm you, or worse, and that I needed to stay as far from you as I could.”
Damon hated to see the pain in his friend’s eyes.
“So, you did.”
She looked down at the table.“The only thing going through my mind was that I couldn’t lose you.You’re the only family I have left.”
“Oh, but it’s okay for me to lose you?”Trent yelled, stood suddenly, and walked a few steps away.
Damon could tell he wasn’t taking this well, but it was between brother and sister.He was there if they needed him, but kept his mouth shut.
Emma started crying.“No.I’m so sorry.I admit now that I was thinking about myself, and at the same time, I worried about you.”
Trent ran a hand through his hair and stared at the floor.“Jesus, I can’t believe you were able to keep this from me.I’m pissed and hurt, sis.I’m your big brother.I’m supposed to take care of you, and you didn’t even give me a chance.Did you think I was incapable of protecting you?”
She shook her head.“No.That’s not it at all.I know I was wrong, and it was extremely selfish.I’m so sorry, and I hope you can forgive me.”
Trent turned his back to them.Damon knew how he was feeling.He looked at Emma and saw a profound agony he hoped would recede soon, because he hated seeing it on her face or his friend’s.
Emma waited a minute, and when her brother hadn’t said anything, she stood and rushed to him, hugged him tightly, and lay her head on his back.
“I’m so sorry,” she said.
It only took a few seconds, and Trent turned to face them and hugged her back.
Damon relaxed back in the chair.If he remembered correctly, they could never stay mad at each other for long.They’d argue a little more.Maybe yell a bit, but it always came down to their love for each other.It used to make him jealous of Trent because he had a sibling.
Damon didn’t know whether having a sister or brother would have improved his childhood.On the one hand, he wouldn’t be alone, but on the other, he would have had someone else to care for and protect.
He decided it was better to be the only child, especially since he got to pretend Trent and Emma’s family was his.The universe was right about keeping him an only child.