When It Rains Read Online Free Page B

don’t freak the fuck out. I was officially diagnosed with PTSD before I was discharged and put on medication to help me cope with life. But I hate taking that shit, it makes me feel like a Goddamn zombie. However, I shake out a few pills into my palm and toss them down my throat so I can make it home without an incident.
    The train finally comes to a stop. I grab my duffel bag and step onto the platform where my twin sister Cassie is waiting for me. First she smiles and then she cries before wrapping her arms around me. “Welcome home Cam.” Her hair gets tangled in my dog tags and she giggles.
    “Cass,” I choke out needing her hug more than she knows. Being home is bittersweet. Joe should be here too. I can’t believe he’s really gone. His death still hasn’t actually hit me. I keep waiting for him to jog across the platform and make a wise crack about my buzz cut. Telling me my ears stick out too much.
    “Come on let’s get out of here.” Cass wipes at her eyes and her nose. 
    “I figured we could run by the bar and I can show you your apartment. Maybe introduce you to Audrey and the crew. Ya know before Ma gets a hold of ya.”
    “Sure, sounds good.”
    I follow Cass to her Toyota. I can’t wait to get back on my bike. I haven’t driven it in two years. Every time I would get set to come home, something would come up, and it would make more sense for me to wait. And now it’s too late and my brother is gone. We lost three years that we won’t get to make up. I missed our grandfather’s funeral and now I missed out saying goodbye to my brother, my best friend. I want to see the place that I am to call home, but I don’t know how I am going to deal not having Joe around. Sure I’ve been away while I was enlisted and serving my tour of duty, but this is Clemons, where I grew up, with my brother by my side.
    The drive to the bar goes quickly. The front windows are tinted lightly to allow privacy. The brick has been painted black and the gold sign out front really stands out.
    A few potted plants decorate the side patio. A sense of pride washes over me. Joe and Cassie really fixed this place up and made it look classy.      
    Inside, a brunette with hot legs is leaning across the bar and eating the fruit from the bar. She sees me staring and her face turns pale. The strawberry she was just devouring hits the bar top and her mouth hangs open. I don’t know whether to be insulted or flattered. I keep looking to her, something about her is so familiar, but I don’t know why.
    Cassie comes in behind me and nudges me in the rib. “Audrey come meet Cam.”
    Fuck , the hottie is my brother’s girl. I should have known by the way he talked about her in his emails.
    Audrey picks her jaw up and waves awkwardly, and then it hits me how much I must look like Joe to her even though my hair is different from his.
    Suddenly I want that beer I wanted to have with Joe.
    “I can’t,” Audrey whispers and runs to the kitchen.
    “She’s having a really hard time,” Cassie offers as explanation.
    “We all are Cass!” I snap at her making an excuse for Audrey. She doesn’t need one. I know it must fucking hurt to see my face.
    I help myself to a beer. My sister starts to comment and I give her the stink eye to shut her up. I can have a goddamn beer before noon if I want to. Pinching the bridge of my nose, I take up the stool at the end of the bar. 
    “Sweet mother of a ghost.” Lewis crosses his chest and kisses my cheek. “Been a while handsome.”
    “Long time no see man.” I down the rest of my beer.
    “Guess your mug showing up explains why Audrey is in the cooler having a panic attack.”
    “Damn it Lewis, is she okay?” Cassie squawks.
    “On the verge of slitting her wrists like every other day.”
    “I’ll go check on her. Sooner she gets used to my face the better things will be I guess,” I say starting to get up.
    “Let me go.” Cass shoves around me. “Lewis can show you upstairs