Read Online Enigma by Aimee Ash - Free Book Online Page B

away? Out of sight out of mind,
    huh?”
    My mother began to cry, but I didn’t feel sorry for her.
    “Stop it, Kate! Don’t you think it’s hard enough for me to see my son destroy himself?” she asked, allowing her tears to dramatize the situation.
    “Mom, please don’t send him away. We can get him the help he needs at home. I’ll do anything; I’ll do everything,” I begged.
    “Doctor Nash feels that Brett is beyond that point. He needs to be in a place where he can get the help he needs.”
    “What about school? He has to graduate.”
    “Kate, let’s not worry about that now. He can always repeat.”
    I pushed past her and ran downstairs, determined to see my brother before he was sent away. I ran up to Brett with my arms outstretched, and he crumpled into them, sobbing like a frightened child. I held him tightly just like I had done so many times before.
    Brett grabbed my shoulders and looked up at me. “Kate, don’t hate me. Please don’t hate me. You’re the only one who cares, the only one who’s ever looked out for me.” It was hard for me to fight back my own tears, but somehow I found the strength.
    “I could never hate you, Brett. I love you. You’re my annoying little brother, but you need professional help this time. It’s time to fight this addiction.”
    Brett’s grip on my shoulders weakened and his voice was sullen. “I’m scared, Kate,” he whispered, wiping tears away with the sleeve of his sweater.
    “You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for. You can turn your life around if you really want to, Brett. I know you’ll be all right if you put in the effort. I’m going to be in the first row watching you graduate.” I held him close and discreetly wiped away a tear.
    “I want to change. I want to be a success,” he said sincerely.
    I looked into his hollow eyes and held his face in my hands. “Then do it. Prove me right and everyone who’s lost faith in you, wrong.”
    I held him for a few moments longer, fighting back the urge to cry, before it was time to let him go. Doctor Nash was right: Brett had to get help from people who knew how to help him. Despite my mother’s lack of effort, she couldn’t offer him what he needed, and unfortunately, I couldn’t either.
    After Brett left, I ran up to my room and cried. I thought about how pitiful Brett looked and how I probably lied when I told him that he would be okay. He was frightened and I wasn’t sure if he was strong enough, but I had to remain positive and believe in him, for his sake.
    Deciding to call it a night, I crawled into bed, and as I slid my hand underneath my pillow, I felt something. Sliding it out, I found a red envelope with my name written on the front. I turned over onto my back and opened it.
     
    Dear Kate,
    I can’t wait to see you again.
    Jack
    P.S. I love you
     
    Through the negative thoughts that clouded my mind, Jack had managed to bring a smile to my face without even being near me. He was in love with me and there wasn’t a shadow of a doubt that I was in love with him too.
     
    T he next morning, the house was strangely quiet. It was seafood and salad night, and Flo was probably at the fish market. As I walked into the kitchen, I saw the remnants of my father’s rushed breakfast and a note from my mother on the fridge. She’d left for couple of days to visit her favorite spa with friends.
    My parents were carrying on with their lives, and I wondered how they could be so selfish. I couldn’t stop worrying about Brett, but my parents were acting like they didn’t have a son in rehab. I wanted to know if Brett was okay, but I wouldn’t be able to see or call him until he reached his first milestone, which could take days, weeks, or even months, according to Doctor Nash. I hoped that it wouldn’t be the latter. For now, I had to distract myself with my own life, and my life was Jack. I was so grateful to have him.
    I didn’t have Intro to Art until the afternoon, so I decided