Everything's Magic Chapter One

"Lee? Dad? I-I have to tell you guys something."

We followed my older brother up to his room, which was pretty awkward, because he never lets anyone in it. He began explaining why his attitude towards us had changed over the past few months, and then he said three words I had never expected him to say to us. "I like boys." He whispered. “So,” Dad said, “you’re gay.” “Uh huh." I gasped as I saw Dad raise his hand up and come down onto my older brother. "Ow!” He cried out as he struck him. “Fine, but you better not bring any of your little boyfriends in my house.” Then he turned away and left the room. “I’m going out!” He yelled from downstairs. Well, I thought, I hope he doesn’t come home drunk again. Ever since Mom died, Dad would go out drinking almost every night. This usually ended up in him coming home in a drunken rage and sometimes beating either me or Jeph. We didn’t like that (obviously). We once considered running away, but we realized we had nowhere to go but our Aunt Susan’s, and we really don’t like her all that much. She smells, she keeps forgetting our names (she calls us Amelia and Richard!), and her house is so small, it can’t fit fifteen people in it without being crowded.

But enough about that, let's talk about me. My name is Leah Conell, I am 13 years old, my mom is dead, my dad is an alcoholic, and my brother is gay. I had a pretty awesome life until our mom jumped off of a bridge to commit suicide. Then Dad started drinking a lot more, Jeph isolated himself from both of us in his room, and I had to cook, clean the house, do laundry, and do all of my schoolwork. Now my life is a living hell.

"Lee," Jeph said, "are you ashamed of me?" "No, Jeph," I said cheerfully, "I believe that you should date anyone you want to date and love anyone, boy or girl, that you want to love." "Thanks, Lee." He came over and hugged me. "You know, you sound older than me when you say that." We both giggled silently and went downstairs.

At least I have my big brother here to protect me, I thought, he's the only one who really cares about me. I love him more than anyone else.