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Derek just nodded. The silence inside the car dragged on for a moment until he sat up straight and started the engine again.

“I'm hungry, I believe you are too and we're going to call our uncles, so we better go.” I didn't want to talk to my uncles, I was still very embarrassed, but I knew there would be no escape. I had already put it off for a week, they deserved to hear from me about the things in my life. So I needed to talk.

Derek went to the downtown of Riverville, the city where Knox College — the university he attended — was located. The cities of Riverville and Belinda Stone were very close, so this ended up being good for both of us. Even with college life going on, I couldn’t lie in saying it was bad having my brother around. Even more so in a delicate moment like the one I was going through.

We went to a Mexican food restaurant. Derek and I have always loved this type of food. It reminded us of our parents. They both died in a car accident, I was 8 years old at the time and Derek was 11.

At least, that's the story I'd tell anyone who asked.

Aunt Isabel and Uncle Hendrix welcomed us immediately. I knew that my uncles never planned to have children, it wasn't something in their life plan and that, suddenly, they had to deal with a scared little girl and a rebellious pre-teen. Looking back, they did the best they could and, honestly, they were somewhat successful at it. We were both in college and would be excellent professionals.

Everything I had I owed to them.

Aunt Isabel did everything so I could be a cheerleader. From the expensive clothes to paying for championship registration fees. And Uncle Hendrix insisted on training with Derek every day after work, even when he was tired, he always did that.

I loved them dearly and so, when Derek sat next to me, after dinner, and clicked on “video call”, my heart almost went out of my mouth. My stomach clenched inside me. I was nervous about the risk of being judged or scolded.

I didn't know if I could handle it coming from both of them.

“Hi, D!” Auntie said first, until she saw me in the image too. “Oh, my God, it's both of you!” Her smile widened, causing some wrinkles to deepen in the corners of her eyes. “Hendrix, come! The kids are here in the video!”

Aunt Isabel was my father's older sister and Uncle Hendrix was even older than her.

Soon his gray hair appeared on the screen too.

“Hi, kids!” My uncle said in his soft, good-humored voice. “How are you?”

I stared at D for a moment and he returned my attention, nodding as he encouraged me to speak.

“Surviving…” I whispered and smiled forcefully. “But I think you already know what happened, don’t you?!”

Auntie even took off her glasses at that moment.

“We know, darling, but we are on your side. Don't forget that!” She declared, seriously. “I think we could have avoided it if we’d had more enlightening conversations... maybe, but we can't fault you for trusting... um, a secret to someone.”

I agreed and was relieved that they thought so.

It was also great to be able to see their faces, even after a month of college, it was still not easy to deal with the distance and not being able to be with them all the time. It was sad not being able to have my aunt's hug and quality time with my uncle. I missed it and only in that call could I feel with great intensity how much I missed it.

Derek stopped the car and walked me to my door.

“I loved our dinner,chica…”

“We should do this more often” I ventured to say.

“Sure, Roni.”

I approached him and let a calm hug end the evening with my brother. I've always been a touchy person, Derek not so much, but I was happy for him to accept mine. That meant a lot to me.

As we walked away, I noticed Colleen walking out the door of our dorm. She smiled at us and waved, but didn't stop to greet us.

My eyes returned to my brother, and it wasn't long before he sighed in front of Kendra's cousin.

“Hey...” I poked him in the stomach. “Are you still talking to her?”

He looked at me with confusion.

“Of course not... I only stayed with her because I wanted to make Kendra mad.” He declared with a shrug. “She's nice, she's pretty, but... you know...”