Pinky Promise

Well now youre just being paranoid.

What do you mean? Have you seen the way he try to look good and go out all the
time? He never did that even while we were dating.
So what? He is trying to step up his game. Im a guy and I know when we get to a
certain age we dont want to let go of our youth so we push that gas pedal even
more.
Sam, listen. Eric and I have been married for five years now with three kids. I just
dont want them to all of a sudden find out they have another bother or sister
because their dad suddenly has thoughts of being young again.
Vanessa, he could never find any woman even close to how beautiful you are. And
Im not just saying that because I am your bother and we have good genes. Dont
stress it, okay?
Okay.
Pinky promise?
Pinky promise.
They both sipped the last drops of coffee left in their Starbucks mugs. Van really
enjoyed these little talks they had. Being almost inseparable twins for most of their
lives, it felt odd to only see Sam once every week. She knew, however, that it was
very close to fashion week and he was busy arranging his final designs. She
savoured every moment they had together.
I wish mom were here to see you doing all this for the fashion show.
I dont think she would be very proud. Im not the normal son she always wanted.
You know all we went through.
Yea, but she would still cheer your name in that muffed, cigarette-smoking,
sometimes-here-sometimes-not deep voice of hers.
Sam giggled at the impeccable description every time. She had never agreed with his
choices and nagged him about them all the time. Sometimes it escalated into a
screaming match, but it was always out of love, or so they both wanted to think.
I should get going, my photo-shoot is in twenty minutes.
Okie-dokie Sammy. Ill text you in a bit.
Sure thing, lovey. Bye.
Vanessa walked out of the crowded caf and walked into Yonge Street. Cars whizzed
past her as held her coat closely wrapped around her. It was almost springtime but
the Canadian wind-chill never died down before the beginning of April. Her mind
started to wonder as she walked to the bus station and waited for the 53 bus. The
sky was fully covered by pink clouds that warned of a stormy night. Van hoped she
would get home before it hit.
About an hour later she got home. She put the key in the lock and opened it. Eric
came from a very wealthy family and it would only be fitting to have a mansion for a
house. That was one thing Van could never complain about. She has everything any
girl could ask for: designer clothing, shoes, perfume, makeup, and even toilet paper.
She took a sigh of relief knowing she had sent the kid off to camp for the weekend
and finally would have some much needed romantic time with Eric. Their life had
become boring after only five years. She always wondered how her parents had
been together for forty-six years until they both died. The only answer she could
manage was they got used to each other.
Like most nights, Eric was working a night shift. She would have to fix herself dinner
for one. She took out a pan, turned up the stove, and poured some cooking oil into
the pan. Eggs and bacon for dinner would do. Breakfast for dinner was he favourite.
It reminded her of her college days when they stayed up all night partying and had
breakfast just before they went to bed at 5 in the morning. They always went to this
24/7 deli called Mamas Deli.
Her life was no frat party anymore but at least she could enjoy the food. She
immediately thought of her brother. Obviously they had stuck together through
college too. All the parties, all the breakfasts, and all the cramming before exams just
made them that much closer.
It was about 9 oclock. Sam was probably home by now. She could surprise him! She
quickly made two servings and put them in her travel thermos. Eyeing all the car
keys, she picked up the Mercedes. She didnt like all the glamorous cars they had.
Eric didnt stand her taking the TTC. Why should you sit in a seat where a million
other people have sat in? he would say. Van just saw his attitude as a result of being
the only child and heir to the Duncan family. Of course he had to be posh and
sophisticated to show off his class.
She drove frantically, unable to contain her childish excitement. She stopped in the
driveway of his house. It was a nicely sized house on Bayview Avenue. It was
entirely white and shaped like four cubes squeezed together in a strange
orientation. Sam had designed it to be a reflection of Picassos cubist paintings. Even
Vanessa, who knew Sam better than anyone, didnt have a clue why he had spent so
much money on this.
She stepped out of her car and slowly made her way to the door. The sound of her
shoes against the pebbled driveway echoed. Sams lights were on but there was little
to no sound to be heard.
Raising her hand to knock, she noticed that the door was not fully closed. She
stepped into the house and now she could hear two people making very distance
sounds. What she saw stopped her dead in her tracks. Next to Sams shoes were
Erics.
She looked about and saw a trail of stripped clothes from the door all the way to the
living room. Her heart dropped for a moment but she summed it back and took a
few more steps. As she drove further into the house, the sounds became clearer. She
could hear groans and grunts getting louder and louder. To one side lay Erics
briefcase and coat. To the other lay red roses. She dropped the thermos as her body
start to shake. But I have to make sure, she told herself.
She quickly ran up the staircase and into Sams room. Sam and Eric lay naked on top
of each other, embracing. They both turned, petrified as she barged in. That was
more than Vanessa could take. Her vision went blurry as tears filled her eyes and
began to pour. She ran downstairs past all the clothes and the flower and the shoes.
She didnt want to deal with any of it. My own brother! How could he?
She slammed open the door and ran into the yard. Rain had begun and was now
beating her. She felt everything begin to collapse around her. She just kept running.
A loud honk got her attention for a moment before she saw the white light engulf
her. A moment later, it had devoured her.