Loving His Demons

Cousin Darry

**Phoebe's POV**

Today my cousin, Darius, was coming over to show me his acceptance letters. He didn't want to tell me over the phone which colleges he got accepted to, so I am hoping it was one of the one's I did, if not all. Darius would most likely be getting a football scholarship since he has been on the varsity team since he was a sophomore. I got out of bed and headed to take a quick shower. Once I was done, I dressed in some light grey athletic shorts with a matching shirt, and my white running shoes. Darry and I always go running together in the trails by my house. 

When I ran downstairs to greet my family, I saw my Uncle Elliot, Aunt Chelsea, and Darry sitting in the living room talking to my parents and Sebastian. "Phoebe!" Darry yelled and came to hug me. "You ready for college!" 

"Where did you get accepted to?" I asked excitedly. I really hoped he got accepted to Stanford. That is where I really want to go. Even though it is farthest from home, I really want a change of scenery. 

"I got a full ride football scholarship to Stanford!" He screamed. 

We both started screaming and jumping up and down. But our happiness was short lived when our parent chimed in. "You also got accepted to Harvard and Yale, which are closer to home." My dad pointed out. 

"Yeah, maybe that would be best. You can come home on the weekends, or we can drive to see you." Uncle Elliot voiced his thoughts. 

"But Stanford is where I want to be." I interjected. "I know its on the other side of the country, but I don't want to be hovered over. I want the full college experience, and when we vacationed in California when I was fifteen, I knew that is where I wanted to be." I explained. 

We spent a week in California during summer for my dad and mom's business. Dad opened another hotel and mom designed the main areas and important rooms. I loved everything about California. The atmosphere, the weather, the beach. I couldn't wait to be back there again, and this time for college. 

"Phoebe, and I are going to go for our run. You guys sit here and let it set in that your kids are all grown up and heading to California for college." Darry said while he grabbed my shoulders and steered us to the back door. 

Once outside, we walked to the bench at the beginning of the trail and started to stretch. Ten minutes later and we were ready to start out run. We always walked for a half mile, jogged for a mile, and then ran the last three and a half miles. Five miles was our run whenever he visited. Sometimes I did the trail on my own, but I liked running with Darry. He paced me so I don't get lazy and just walk the whole way. 

This trail is my favorite. We have gone to run others, but this one has the best scenery. Tall trees and beautiful bushed were everywhere. Wild flowers grew in the spring and summer, and during winter, a nice snow blanket covered everything. I am a huge lover of nature, and sometimes I come to walk the five miles when I had a lot on my mind. Sometimes I even studied out here. I think besides my family, I was going to miss this place the most. 

During our run, Darry and I didn't talk. We just enjoyed each other's company. Sometimes he would run a little faster to make me speed up, which he knew I hated. I liked working out, but cardio was not my favorite. Even though it was freeing, and it would clear my mind, I just wasn't much of a runner. Jogging is fine, but Darry liked to run. Sometimes he would break off into a sprint just to challenge me. 

It took us about an hour to finish our run, and when we headed back I was full of sweat. My baby hairs were sticking to my forehead, and I was struggling to catch my breath. Darry was laughing at me while I glared at him. He was so much like my Uncle Elliot, I knew girls were going to be all over him at school. My cousin had blonde hair and green eyes like Aunt Chelsea, but his height, build, chiseled face, and charm were all my Uncle. He had no trouble of getting a girl, but he was actually not a player. He had a couple of girlfriends, but didn't like the games girls tended to play. So he stopped dating and just focused on football and school. 

When we walked back inside, it was my worst nightmare. Our parents busted out the baby albums and our moms were crying about how fast we grew up. "Oh, God." I groaned. 

"You kids have been inseparable since you were in diapers." Mom cried. "Anytime we were all together, you two would run off and play. Climb everything, get into anything. The sound of your laughs and your feet running around filled the house." She laughed as she cried and Aunt Chelsea was a mess right next to her. 

"Now their leaving across country as young adults." Aunt Chelsea spoke. "At least they will be together, watching out for each other."

"We are going to college guys, not war." Darry tried to lighten the mood. But then his mood turned sour. "Since you won't let me sign up for-"

"We are not having that conversation again, son." Uncle Elliot raised his voice. "You are going to college."

"I can still go to college while I am-"

"No!" Uncle Elliot yelled. I have never heard him get so angry, but Darry didn't seem phased. 

Without another word, Darry stormed out of the back door. Aunt Chelsea apologized and they started packing up the albums to leave. "Can you give him a ride home when he is ready." She asked sweetly. "Elliot and Darius have been at odds these last few months. Try and talk to him. Make him see we just are afraid to lose him."

I didn't understand what she meant, but I promised I would talk to him. Darry usually talks to me about everything, but right now I don't know what is going on. I do know that when Darry is like this he usually wants to be left alone. So I kept an eye on him through the kitchen window while I prepared us lunch. My parents and Sebastian left to the movies so my cousin can talk to me without feeling like he was being watched. 

I fixed us his favorite. Chicken salad. He used to laugh that I liked salads, but one day I let him try how I made them and now it is one of his favorites. My secret is to have everything fresh. Freshly cooked and chopped bacon, perfectly boiled eggs, and freshly grilled chicken. Not canned chicken like some use. Fresh is always better. Plus with some cucumbers, tomatoes, grated cheese, and avocados, along with a homemade salad dressing. Layer everything on a mixture of romaine lettuce, kale, and spinach, and voila it's perfect. 

Just as I was setting our plates on the table, Darry came inside. When he saw me he hung his head and sat on the island. "You made my favorite." He whispered. 

"I forgot to make the dressing." He looked up at me like his feelings were hurt. I laughed and slid the jar to him. "Just kidding."

We ate in silence. The only sound was our forks scraping the plate. When we finished, Darry washed the dishes while I packed away what was left. After everything was clean we went to the game room and racked up the pool table. Even though Darry taught me how to play, I was better than him. After a few rounds of eight ball, he finally started to talk. 

"A recruiter came to my school a few months ago." He paused as he lined up his next shot. "He talked about making a difference. Seeing the world, meeting new people, and having new experiences." He shot his ball in the corner pocket, and moved around for his next shot. "I thought my parents would be proud that I wanted to do something so honorable. To serve my country as a marine." He missed his shot. "Dad yelled at me. Told me if I joined I would be cut off. My inheritance would go to charity and my car sold."

I could see all the disappointment and anger in his eyes. This was something he really wanted to do. "Did you know that your dad and my mom had another brother?" I asked him. One day I was going through some old family pictures of my mom when she was little and found out I had another Uncle. Darry shook his head 'no'. "Yeah, mom doesn't talk about him. I asked grandma." I walked around the table and sunk my ball in the middle pocket. "His name was Darius, and he was eight years older than your dad."

"I'm named after my dad's older brother?" He whispered. I nodded my head. 

"When he was eighteen, he joined the military. Our grandparents were proud and Uncle Elliot looked up to him. Wanted to join as well when he got older. Uncle Darius died just before his twentieth birthday. His team was driving back to their base and they hit an IED." My voice cracked, imagining the pain my grandparents went through losing their first child. "His body was shipped back home, and they had to have a closed casket funeral because he was in pieces." The tears started to fall. I have an Uncle neither of us met, and the possibility of the life he could have had hurt so much. "Your dad took it the hardest. He isn't trying to stop you from living your life. He just can't lose you like he lost his brother."

Even though Uncle Elliot shouldn't stop Darry from doing something he is excited about, I can understand why. It cannot be easy losing someone you love, and see your child want to go the same route. Uncle Darius' future doesn't have to be Darry's, but I know Uncle Elliot is just trying to stop the past from repeating. I just hope this gives my cousin more insight as to why his dad is being the way he is when it comes to this subject. 

"Why didn't he tell me?" Darry asked. 

"Grandma said he hasn't talked about his brother in over thirty years. It is still a hard subject for him. They were very close." I explained. "Maybe talk to your dad. Maybe talking about his brother will bring you both closer. Grandma says you are a lot like Uncle Darius." I smiled. 

Darry wiped away a few tears that fell and he hugged me. "Thank you, Phoebe."

"It's no problem. Now come on. I'll give you a ride home." I put up our pool sticks and we headed out the door. 

Darry only lived about twenty minutes away so I was back home in less than an hour. My mom had texted me that they went out for dinner, which was fine by me I could eat the leftover salad I made for lunch. When I got home, the sun was starting to go down and the air had a little crisp to it. I went inside and headed straight for the shower. Once I was clean and relaxed, I headed back downstairs. I set myself up on the couch with my salad, the remote, and a fluffy blanket. I decided to catch up on Grey's Anatomy on Netflix. 

My phone rang and I got a text from Darry. 

Thank you for today. Stanford here we come!