On Friday nights, Lennon usually waited for his sister to come home. He snached a small, pristine glass out of the cabinet, got the whiskey out of the cooler, then he sat down along the bar and started to pour. The ice cold, bitter drink slid easily down his throat.

She should be home any minute, Lennon thought. The clicking sound of the ticks from the clock started to make Lennon think back to a familiar sound.
                                                      *          *         *
             It felt like yesterday when Lennon’s mom walked away nonchalantly from the house. She entered the key in the ignition and the engine shot on. She pulled the black,  bulbous knob to reverse, backed out of the driveway, and turned left. Lennon casually walked down the stairs only to see George, his stepfather, sitting on the brown leather couch watching TV.
“Cut the grass,” George demanded loud and clear.
Lennon asked again for further clarification. “Excuse me?”
George now thought Lennon was slow.  “Cut...the...grass.”
Lennon eyed him like a rat and said plainly, “No.” He paced to the kitchen to grab a cup and to pour a drink.
George followed him. Lennon grabbed the glass water pitcher from the beige refrigerator and gradually poured water into a cup while George continued to ramble.“Why don’t you like me? I’m only here to make your mom happy.”
While George was running on, Lennon imagined what George was really thinking about him. You never do anything. You're nothing but an ungrateful runt. I don’t like you here.
Lennon’s glass was still half-empty. He paused for a second, then continued.
“When I was your age, my father died so I felt I had a responsibility to do what my father never could.”
You do as I say or I’ll tell your mother and she’ll get you alright! Are you listening to me?!  Lennon’s glass became half-full and he continued to pour.
George moved closer and leaned over Lennon. “Lennon, are you okay?”
What are you, deaf and dumb? Do as you’re told or you’ll regret it!
“I understand you miss your father, but I would like to try to fill that missing piece. Please?”
Why don’t you live with your big sister? I’m sure that she has some room for you.   Lennon’s glass overflowed. He smashed the glass down against the circular, wooden table. The water spewed all over the floor as if it was a flood. He tackled George to the floor, he struck the broken glass to his neck poking his skin like dough. Then he dropped the shard of glass, gave him a clout to his nose and stormed out of the house. Lennon grabbed his cellphone out of his pocket and started to press on the numerical buttons.
                    *         *         *
Lennon had forgotten that he was holding a glass as he clutched it for dear life. This evening, Cassie stayed out later than usual, her job usually got hectic around this time of season. An hour later, Lennon started to hear clacking heels come up the stairs; his sister was home.
Cassie inserted her key to the umber rusty lock, pushed the door open and walked in. As she walked in, she saw Lennon sitting at the bar waiting for her. Her loose satin red dress along with her well toned behind and front torso entered the spacious apartment. Her strawberry fragrance was as strong as coffee and her makeup was as flashy as a police siren. She continued to walk to her bedroom.
Lennon uttered, “How are things?”
Cassie voice was monotone. “Fine, Lennon.”
“How was work?” He felt he had to ask.
            “Good Lennon.”
She walked in the bedroom and closed the door leaving an echo across the apartment. Lennon irritably paced across to her room and knocked on the door cowardly.
She swiftly opened the door and angrily asked, “What do you want? I’m very tired.”
Lennon smacked her down to the floor and asked her, “Why are you so screwed up one way or another?”
She sheepishly got up and replied, “What are talking about?”
“Cassie, you’re my sister and I want to spend time with you, and your legs are always open and you’re hopped up on pills all the time.”
Cassie stared at him menacingly and yelled, “How dare you come into my room in my house to tell me how to live my life?! I took you in while you were homeless and DYING in the street while you were trying to prove something like you always do. I am busting my butt out there trying to make a living for the both of us, extra hard for you and you have the nerve to tell me what I'm doing for work is not good enough? You need to leave! I don’t want you here anymore! You're nothing but a lowlife runt!”
“I care about you, sis.”
“You only care about me because I’m a meal ticket!”
“That’s not true.”
“It’s more than true, it’s a fact, and the fact is that you are a deadbeat!”
“And you’re any better? Who are you? You’re the scum of the earth!”
“That happens to live on her own with nothing to prove. Who do you think you are?”
“I~~”
“Look”, she pointed her index finger right in between his eyes, “if you say anything to me again, I will THROW YOU OUT THE WINDOW,” she shouted.
“You wouldn’t,” Lennon chuckled.
“Why wouldn’t I? Who’s going to miss you? You’re no more than a bum, an orphan bum!”
Lennon cautiously backed away from her and shamefully left the apartment.