Chapter 4 : Eric

***Dylanne

We pulled up at Eric's foster parents' house. I smoothed down the edges of my thrift-store sundress as I got out. Kim was supposed to pick me up but was too busy with stuff and had to send Kai.

I held the balloons and gift, as Kai picked up the cake from the back, and we walked up the porch. After two doorbell rings, the door opened, with both Henry and Freya greeting us with wide smiles.

“Oh my goodness, Dylanne, you brought cake! Eric is going to be so happy. You look amazing, honey,” Freya said, hugging me and welcoming me in.

I could already hear Eric calling my name as he walked down the stairs. In utter excitement, I sprinted up the stairs and threw my arms around him.

“Dyl!!”

“Eric!!” I pulled him so close to me. I missed him so much; I never wanted him to leave my side.

“I missed you so much, soldier! You're finally eighteen!”

“Yup! Officially a man!” He smiled, and I giggled, pinching his hair as he complained about using perfect products for his deep waves.

“I got you something”

I assisted him with his stick as we climbed down the stairs. He had met Kai a few times, and I didn't think he would even remember him, but he did.

A few minutes later, his friends trooped in, making it a full house. Freya ordered pizza—his favorite—and then the music started, with everyone dancing. I stood aside, watching my brother. God, what a rocky road we'd traveled. The accident had taken Mom and Dad and left Eric blind forever. The doctors called it traumatic optic neuropathy, some nerve damage too severe to fix.

Foster care swallowed us whole after that, bouncing us from one indifferent home to another. I went into shitty homes, and once I was eighteen, I found a way to escape. But I'm glad Eric met Henry and Freya. They are so good to him.

Now, at twenty-three, I was looking for a way to get custody of him. The custody office laughed in my face every time; they didn't think a café waitress could take care of a child. In their words, “Not stable enough for full custody.”

So I built a secret life. Being a masked stripper was good—no sex. It kept just enough distance to feel like a different skin, and it raked in cash faster than double shifts ever could. One day, I'd have my own nail salon, and this time, legit. Then Eric and I would be together. No more systems, no more strangers calling the shots.

“He misses you every day,” Freya said as she stood by my side.

“I miss him too. Thank you so much for treating him like your own son.”

She took her hands out of her pockets and held mine. “No, darling, there’s no need to thank me. Eric will always be our son, and you, our daughter. You know you have a home here.”

“I know. But I have a life, and I need to work hard for my brother and me.”

When it came time for the gift opening, I was overjoyed by the way he smiled. He loved all of his gifts.

“What about yours, Dyl? You did get a gift for me, right?”

“Of course, I did.” I walked to the big box I had brought in. I could tell he couldn’t wait any longer.

I let him open the box and watched his expression change to shock. The AI robot nestled in protective foam. Eric’s hands moved around, feeling the robot’s silver skin.

“Oh my God! Is this what I think it is? You got me—”

“Hello, how can I assist you?” the robot’s voice came on.

He burst into tears, holding his cane as he rushed into my arms. He had told me about his friend having one of these and how he thought they were so cool.

I spent almost all my savings to get it, but it was worth it.

“I love you, soldier. Always remember that.” I kissed him on the cheek.

The party finally ended after a lot of pizza and cake. The children went off, and Eric fell asleep with popcorn in his lap as he talked about who had the best puck game on the new hockey team.

We bade Henry and Freya goodbye and got into the car. I breathed out, finally relaxed.

Kai didn’t say a word and started the car. I acted the same, oblivious to what was going on between us.

“I could tell you had fun with Eric today.”

“Yeah, I did. I’m glad he loved his birthday.”

“You know, you could come work for me, and I would pay you. At least that would be enough to get custody.”

“I don’t want to work for you.”

He gave me a lopsided stare. “Why? You’d finally have a job and a paycheck.”

“So you’re saying I don’t have a job? So I waste my time at the café?” I asked bluntly.

“I’m not saying that, but you can agree with me that working for me would be better.”

“I don’t want to work for you.”

“Okay,” he nodded. “Then I can give you some cash to start your nail salon business.”

“I don’t need your help.” I folded my hands across my chest and settled back on the seat.

Kai had a hand on his face, his fingers on the bridge of his nose. I could tell he was frustrated, and without any warning, he parked by the side of the road.

“Why? Why are you refusing my help?” He turned to me, expectancy in his eyes.

“What do I have to freaking do to make you stop being stubborn?”