Read Pretty Pink Ribbons for Free Online

front door, and when I reach for the knob, it wiggles loosely in my hand. But all of that is superficial. Unlike me, all of that can be fixed. Pushing open the heavy door, I walk in and smile at the sight that greets me. Dark hardwood floors as far as I can see are scuffed and worn, but I smile because it’s a testament to how much this house has truly been ‘lived’ in. Someone, most likely Luke or Benny, has polished the tattered wood to near perfection and a soft blue rug sits in the middle of the living room.
    “I’ve got new furniture coming, but it isn’t here yet.” I freeze, excitement bubbling up inside of me at the sound of his voice. Spinning around, I find Luke leaning casually against the doorframe leading into the kitchen. His hands are tucked deep in his pockets and his knowing eyes are watching me. I haven’t seen my brother in two years and he’s definitely changed in that time. His eyes are hardened and his hair is longer, now sweeping across his forehead.
    When I first moved to California, Luke and I went three years without seeing each other. We were both in college and neither one of us could afford a plane ticket. But nothing—and I mean nothing—was going to keep me from my brother. He was all I had left. We talked on the phone almost every day and decided that once we were able to save up enough money, we were going to meet and go on vacation together somewhere since we never took vacations as children. Our first trip was on my third summer away, and we met in Chicago for five days of much needed reconnection. Since then, we’ve been to Florida and Colorado, and thanks to my little friend that has decided to take up residence in my body, our next destination has yet to be determined.
    “You didn’t have to get me new furniture. I’ve got a couch and chair coming here from . . . home.” It’s weird referring to California as my ‘home,’ even though it has been for the past eight years. St. Louis has been and always will be my home. It holds all of my memories, both good and bad, and it’s the one place that I will always come back to, no matter where I am in life.
    Pushing away from the wall, Luke takes three long strides, putting himself directly in front of me. To an outsider, we probably look like complete idiots. Here we are, brother and sister, and we haven’t yet made one move to hug. But to us, it’s normal—it’s what we do. We size each other up, reminding ourselves that the other one is, in fact, real . . . and here. Which is what I’m certain Luke is doing now, considering he hasn’t seen me since my diagnosis. “I know I didn’t have to get you furniture, but I wanted to. Both the couch and chair were old when Dad had them. Plus, I figured a new set of furniture for your new home . . . it was the least I could do for the girl who practically raised me.” And this is exactly why I have the best brother in the entire world.
    Luke reaches for me at the same time I reach for him. We cling to each other for several minutes, neither of us saying a word or making a move to pull away. Sometimes you just need this. You just need to know that there is someone in your life that will love you, no matter what—someone that you never have to worry about leaving. Because that’s what most people do, don’t they? That’s what I did anyway. “I love you, Luke.” I fight back the tears, determined not to let my emotions taint what should be a happy reunion.
    “I love you too, Laneybug.” I hear the front door open and then shut, but I refuse to move. I have two years’ worth of hugs to make up for and there is no way I’m ready to let go.
    “She sure does have a thing for hugging hot men today, doesn’t she?” Leave it to Mia to find my brother attractive. I smile into Luke’s chest at the same time he lifts his head to see who the sassy mouth belongs to.
    “You think I’m hot?” Benny’s voice sounds smug and I can just picture him staring at her with his