Cindy: I... I need some time to think about it.
Alex smiled faintly, "I'll wait for you".
Cindy looked away and got up to leave, "The doctor said you can go home now".
Alex: Hmm.
Cindy: Where is your car?
Alex: it's still parked in the bar.
Cindy: Seeing your situation doesn't look like you can drive, we'll have to take a taxi.
Alex: Hm.
Cindy: Let's go.
On their way home, they didn't exchange any words. Both stared out of the window with different thoughts occupying their mind but they had one thought in common, that is wanting to know what is going on other person's mind. As soon as they reached Cindy's apartment, Carla opened the door and twisted Alex's ear making him scream from pain.
Alex: Why would you do that?
Carla: You're asking me why I did that!? Are you still a kid!?
Alex looked down like a kid, "He started it first..."
Carla: You're 27 now and this is your excuse!? You made better excuses when you we were 10!
Alex: I'm sorry...
Cindy stared at the mother and son and couldn't help but think how weird their relationship is. She burst into a laugh grabbing their attention. Hearing her laugh, he smiled slightly and realized how much he missed hearing it.
Alex: Let's go now, it's already late.
Carla: okay.
Cindy: wait wait.
Carla: What happened?
Cindy looked down and replied, "Stay... stay here tonight?"
Alex: ??
Cindy: it's already late just stay the night. Plus I need some more time with Aunt.
Seeing her so embarrassed Carla couldn't hold her laugh, "My my, okay we will stay here tonight then. What do you think, Alex?"
Alex nodded, "As you wish".
.
.
.
.
After Cindy hung up the phone, Matthew felt guilty for behaving with her like that.
After a while, Melissa came to the police station, "Being your older sister is so hard sometimes".
Matthew: Not like I asked your help.
Melissa asked the officer, "What did he do this time?"
Officer: He had a fight with someone, he is currently at the hospital".
Matthew: It's Alexander.
Melissa: You fought with whom!?
Matthew: you heard it right.
How did you even win against him? I mean have you seen his height?
Matthew: as if I'm short.
Melissa: you're way shorter than him.He is probably 6'4".
Matthew: Are you my sister or his?
Melissa burst into a laugh, "Sorry, let's go home now".
Matthew: Hm.
As Melissa drove the car, Matthew stared out of the window contemplating.
Melissa: What's wrong?
Matthew sighed and replied, "Just thinking, what would've happened if I met Cindy before Alex".
Melissa: You couldn't honestly.
Matthew: Why?
Melissa: They know each other since they were babies. There's literally a photograph where 1 year old Alex is sitting beside new born Cindy.
Matthew: Tsk, only if I was born 3 years earlier.
Melissa: Sadly you couldn't be the one.
Matthew silently stared out of the window as he thought how much things have changed between him and Cindy.
***