The Family Across The Street Novels & Stories

Every window glowed yellow against the dark street, and even from the driveway, I could hear the chaos going on inside: little kids arguing over the remote, someone butchering a violin solo upstairs, and a baby crying. Marcus had four younger siblings still at home and two older brothers in college. His house was always chaotic, but after a while, you got used to it. It was definitely a step up from the frequent dead silence of my house. Dad gets a big promotion and decides being home is less important than being important… it is what it fucking is. I rang the doorbell and Mrs. Rodriguez answered with a baby strapped to her back and flour dusting her apron. Her face lit up when she saw me. “

Chapter 87 – Whispers Across the Fence The morning after the second storm dawned brittle and gray, sunlight struggling to pierce through low, angry clouds. The streets glistened wet and reflective, every puddle a tiny mirror of the chaos that had just passed. Brenda, of course, wasted no time. By mid-morning, whispers had begun to spread through the neighborhood like wildfire, each word carefully sharpened to wound. “Did you hear about Abby’s family?” the neighbors murmured. “Terrible things happening… debts, curses, affairs…”

"Don't blame Connie, Mom. It's my fault. I have caused you so much trouble. I shouldn't have taken the coat from her…" Before she finished, Dad grabbed me and slammed me to the ground. He roared, "A cold-blooded thing like you doesn't deserve to live in this loving family!" I cried and begged him to stop. But the more I cried, the more he was convinced that I felt no remorse. His claws landed harder and harder. Mom and Nathan stood at a distance, their faces indifferent. It was as if I weren't part of the family, just a filthy rogue they didn't recognize.

The call from the police station reached home before Elara did. As she pushed open the heavy, carved oak doors of the Vane estate, she wasn't met with warm lights, but by her father's whip cracking across her face. "Crack!" The expensive crocodile leather belt lashed viciously across Elara's shoulder. Blood instantly stained the bandages, soaking through the thin shirt. "You dared to call the police?!" "You want the whole world to laugh at the Vane family? And apply for restraining orders against Leo and me? You must be tired of living!"

Across the street, a family was returning from church, and another neighbor who probably never went to church was working on his yard. This was a great neighborhood. A place to really live, not just a building to sleep in and play video games, which is how he saw his condo. He could picture himself here, sitting with Ace on that big front porch while Lola patrolled the yard in front of their crayon-crazy funky house.

Cross's face goes pale. Mr. Cross opens his mouth, but nothing comes out. I lean forward, hands pressed flat on the table, bills crunching under my palms. "Every dirty secret. Every backroom deal. Every person you've stepped on to get where you are." My voice drops lower, and I watch fear, actual fear, flicker across their faces. "I'll make sure everyone knows exactly who the Cross family really is." The silence is absolute. They stare at me like I've sprouted horns. Like I'm a stranger wearing my skin.

Except behind all the lies and the filth underneath the nails of everyone. The Niv family runs a fraudulent investment firm that scammed broke college students into bankruptcy; the Toni family houses an arsonist son and a dope-dealing daughter. the families down Maple Street all protested to remove a black man from their cul-de-sac; the Slaver family covered up a hit and run that killed Mr. Nissa’s wife. It goes on and on.

I would look through the peephole but I'm too short to reach. I pull the door open to find five people on my porch. "Hello. My name is Becca," a short, dark haired woman speaks. She is just beautiful. "This is my husband, Scott and our children. Lisa, Matthew and Brandon. We are the Keaths across the street. It is very nice to meet you. We just came over here to welcome you to the neighbourhood. It is really nice to see a ne--- Damnit, Becca. Your scaring her." Becca speaks but Scott cuts her off. I try not to laugh at the cute little scene. "Would you guys like to come in." I ask politely. They all nod and I move out of the way. I close the door once they are all in and walk them over to th

Sahana giggled, "Let's take another one." I faced the camera at us and this time right before I clicked Sahana placed her lips on my cheek. I looked at the photo and smiled, "I like this one more." "I do too." she laughed. "Do you still wanna play cards?" I asked. "Hmm, I think I used up all my luck today with that one speed game." I laughed, "Ok." We walked back to where we were and sat down. We stared at the lake. My eyes shifted to a family. The father was flying a kite with his daughter and the mother was hula hooping with her son.

She curls up beside me, stealing half my tea. “You are dodging,” she says, nudging my shoulder. “But I will let it slide. For now.” Dad chuckles, picking up his crossword again. “She always wins,” he says. “Give it up, Zeph.” Mom smiles, sitting across from us, her hands folded. “Family sticks together,” she says. I laugh, the tension easing, and we talk for a while; light stuff, like Selene’s new marketing client, Dad’s stubborn crossword, Mom’s plans to repaint the porch.