Aren't holidays with family fun? It's fascinating how everyone loves each other, but no one really likes each other.
Due to family problems, I was a little hesitant to go to the annual Christmas party at my auntie's house. I knew it would be the typical gathering, my parents and I show up late, pretend to be happy, my parent's fight, I stay in my cousin's room until we leave. Not much to look forwards too, right?
buuut, my cousin (big bro!) from LA came and I was so surprised. The last time I saw him was Christmas last year, when he got in a fight with his parents and spent Christmas in SF. I didn't realize it, but I missed him dearly. i made plans to take him out to the movies, but tickets were sold out for Sherlock Holmes. so we rescheduled to saturday night, and afterwards we ate at Denny's because it was midnight and everything else was closed.
We talked a lot, and I was amazed that even though I barely knew him anymore, I felt so comfortable with him. We talked for more than an hour. He found out about my drinking and popping pills. I found out he had a girlfriend, but they seperated very recently. He seemed apprehensive to open up about that, so I didn't push it. We promised that if he ever opened a tattoo shop, and engineering wasn't working out for me, I would become a tattoo artist at his shop.
The night before he left to go back to LA, we hung out for a couple hours. There wasn't much left to say, so we made plans for the future. I said that next time it would be my turn to visit him in LA, hopefully in the summer after I graduate. It was hard, saying goodbye. Because even though I knew I would see him, it wouldn't be until at least 6 months.
p.s. Silly me forgot that I'm not an only child. I've been blessed with two old brothers, one in SF the other in LA, & both are in my heart.