Kylie Bray (Love, Hate and Billions) novel Chapter 1

2000- Liston Hills

“Kylie Bray gets your bee-hind in here young lady, don't make me come get you.”

I climb out from under the dining table, “I said I ain't eating it!" Putting my hands on my hips I crease my lips together.

"Kylie you are too, your mama s on her way back. Don't make me call her."

I stamp my rubber-covered feet, "I'm eight I can do what I want and I ain't eating it, Aunt Milda, I ain't eating that meat. I saw them cut cows last week, papa said that’s where mama buys her meat from, I ain't eating it.”

I turn and run through the front yard, the green lawn crunching under my feet. My aunt screaming, but I don't care, papa said she needed the exercise, and I agree. If those dresses of hers got any smaller her boobies were gonna pop out. I turn my head, and laugh as her yellow flower dress creeps up her thighs, I know she's coming after me,

“Kylie,” She yells so loud, “you love meat, Tanner made it just for you, Kylie, come on, I don't wanna run, KYLIE.”

I run faster, laughing because there is no doubt in my mind that my aunt could catch me.

I jump on the cemented frog, then on the fountain bowl. I'd done it so many times with not a care in the world.

Big hands haul me up and spin me around. Giggling hysterically.

I shriek, "Put me down Stone."

He doesn't listen, he never does, instead, he throws me over his shoulder.

"Michael I'm so tellin’ your papa." He laughs, jumping up and down, causing me to flop on his shoulder.

They argue for everything and Uncle Hector has to often get involved. I hate those times, because David has a temper like Uncle Hector, bossy, bossy, bossy. But like Uncle Hector I know David would be there if I need him, he would fix anything. Which was how he chose what to do with his life. From a young age he wanted to study law and become a politician.

I'm not sure what that is really, but Kevin said David would be able to run for president one day and I know that the president is bossy. I mean he has to be to control a country, right. And who is bossier than my David?

Vincent, who is the third eldest in the family, just turned fourteen a week back. He lives with his mother in Seattle. I hardly ever see him and when I do, he pretends that I'm not there, like I care, psst.

Last week Uncle Hector told us during lunch that Vincent wouldn’t be allowed to visit much anymore because he had ‘stuff’ to do. Uncle Hector didn't seem happy about that ‘stuff’ but I was like whatever, I have lots of brothers.

Then there's Kevin, my half-brother who is twelve going on thirty. Once, I watched him fall off the acorn tree and hurt his back, he shed one tear and was so quiet I cried for both of us.

I remember thinking maybe the fall made him lose his emotions.