When It Rains Read Online Free Page A

and he had to go and get killed. I hate him so much for putting that on my shoulders. I mean, I know he didn’t knowingly walk into the street knowing he was going to die, but it’s easier to be angry with him. He isn’t here to tell me I’m wrong.
    “I just want things back the way they were you know,” Lewis says squeezing my shoulder. “I’ll get her upstairs.”
    I grab his hand. “I don’t know what we’d do without you.”
    “I love you too Cass.”
    I watch Lewis and Freddie try to pick her up. Audrey breaks my heart. Her head lolls to the side as Lewis cradles her in his embrace like a child. Freddie walks ahead of him opening the doors for him. It’s a familiar sight. We go through this routine a few nights a week.
    Some days are better than others. She seems to do better when Ma is here, but I think it is only because Ma scares her. She doesn’t take any shit, and won’t put up with Audrey’s shenanigans and pity parties. She puts Audrey in her place but she also calls to check on her often. I think Ma cares for Audrey more than she likes to admit.
    They have a love/hate relationship, like most mothers and daughters. I think Audrey has grown to count on her too. She doesn’t have any family here, but us. 
    “Sasha go ahead and start closing out your drawer. Freddie can help you lock up tonight.”
    She nods and I go into the office to call Ma.
    “Hey Ma, you heard from Cam yet?”
    My other brother is due home any minute now. I am picking him up from the train station whenever he gets in. His phone kept cutting out and I didn’t catch his arrival time. I have missed him so damn much. He wasn’t able to make it home for the funeral. I know it hurt him to not be here. He needed to stay where he was though.
    “Yeah, he should be getting in around 10 AM. You sure you want to pick him up. Dad and me are anxious to wrap our arms around him. It’s been too long.”
    “Yeah, I want to talk to him about Joe and things first. Twin stuff.” I smile faintly. Cameron, my other half. Part of me has been missing since he enlisted.
    “Okay, drive safe and come straight here after your talk.”
    “Love you Ma.”
    “Love you too baby girl. How’s Audrey?”
    “The same, worse. I don’t know Ma—I worry about her. She loved Joe so much. I wish...”
    “I know you do,” she cuts me off. “Can’t go back. We can only move forward. Now I know she’s your friend. I know I haven’t been Audrey’s biggest fan, and I know she’s hurting, but I don’t want her ruining Cameron’s coming home party,” she gripes. “She needs to get her shit together.”
    “Yeah Ma, I know. I’ll handle it.”
    I groan after we hang up. No one can handle Audrey. She’s a free spirit, who loves hard and hurts deep. We all hurt, we all miss Joe and wish he were here, but no one more so than Audrey.
    I am afraid of what seeing Cam will do to her. He’s my twin, but him and Joe looked so much alike. More than we ever did. I’ll prepare her for seeing him in the morning. She’s seen pictures, but seeing him in person is something else.

Cameron
     
    Coming home is nothing like I was expecting. I thought I would be getting to have a beer with my brother, but life had other plans. I always thought I’d be the one to die. Joe was the smart one growing up. He did everything he was supposed to while I was always getting into trouble. He talked me in to enlisting. Said it would give me the discipline I needed and save Ma from a broken heart. I just knew that one day out on patrol I’d drive over a IED and lose a limb or get blown to pieces. I have seen it happen enough times. I’ve witnessed a lot of bad shit I wish I could forget. Dead babies, fallen soldiers. I shake my head and try not to think about the visions that keep me from getting any sleep.
    I don’t know what made me think catching a train home was a good idea. Every screech has me gripping the edge of my leather seat and gritting my teeth, while praying I