Toya never elaborated on her family. She always seemed to avoid that subject with skill. She went away when the holidays came, always on the last day one of us departed. It was usually me and she always saw me off to the train station, watched me board the train, and see it go before she herself went to catch her train or bus. Wherever her family was I never believed she took a plane to see them, because she always saw me off, and the airport was the other direction. I never asked her why she looked so sad when the holidays came, and why she became so solemn afterwards when everyone was back and unsettled from family feasts and pestering. I’m sure she had her reasons, but it seemed pointless to me.

Penthea always gained ten pounds during the holidays which she cursed and agonized over the first 3 weeks back. She loved her family but she said it was too much for her, when she went home there was so much expectation, future plans and unacceptable failures being discussed that she herself had no peace or voice. “I know what I want to do for now. Who knows maybe a week from now it will change, and if not a week, next year? I don’t care so much for the future as I do for the present. But they will never understand that. Your lucky Elisha, your family accepts your decisions without malice.” Her face was sadden with memories, lectures no doubt, and warnings that before I knew what I was saying I said it. “But you’re our mom! If you don’t like going to your family back home, then stay with this one and forget about doing things you don’t want too but instead focus on what you love and are good at!” Her eyes were on me and I felt hot in my face. Penthea’s eyes softened in a motherly way as she pushed a strand lock of hair behind her ear. “Like cooking my El-sha’s favorite dish? Three Cheese Casserole with Apricot and tomatoes.” She laughed afterwards and mussed my hair. “Y…yeah.” I stuttered.

And I, I was the runt of the group. A child in most ways compared to the matured Toya, motherly Penthea and the wise Diedrich. Even Reem, a man who always blurted out whatever he was thinking without thinking; who was reckless with his money, careless with his school work and assuming he would conquer the world; even he was an adult next to me.

I was the oldest of three in my biological family. I came from a small town on the outskirts of a large city and had a doting mother and father. Of all the names possible to name a child they stuck Elisha on me with excitement that I would be the only boy in class with that name, that everyone would know who I was because my name was so uncommon; I hated it and couldn’t find any alternative name that fitted me. Of course a few years later I was given a sister and brother, who were both named very common names; Sarah and Ryan. They were twins, sixteen years old, with admiration for their big brother who was supporting himself on a scholarship of 5k a year until I attained my degree. My family gave me a small allowance, the maximum their income would allow, which I used as sparingly as possible. When I came home it was always a hassle for my parents to drive into the city and pick me up from the train station, an hour and a half drive from our small town.