Loners

It was easier to blame everyone else. But himself.

Oh if only his daddy hadn't left when he was three. If only his mom hadn't gotten married to that stone-faced man who he could never please. If only his step-sister hadn't topped their class for nine years in a row….

…Then maybe his life would be easier.

Maybe he wouldn't be the loser who was babysitting cats because he couldn't make it into college.

“Raymond? Ray?..”

He sighed as he heard the sing-song voice of his co-worker, Katie. The girl he'd been crushing on for years but wasn't man enough to approach.

If only she noticed him a lot more, she'd know that he's always loved her.

“H..here. Over here!” He called back, pushing the milk bowl towards ‘Old man’ the cat.

Katie's boots crunched softly on the soft earth of the backyard as she made her way towards him. She was in this short, black dress. High black boots on her feet, with her brown hair tied in two cute buns.

He absolutely loved it. And her.

“Hey, you're…you're here.” She runs her eyes over his chubby frame, taking the lollipop from between her lips to give him a response.

“Yes, I'm here. And what on earth are you doing out back? Iris told us never to bring any of her cats here.” She grabbed old man and marched into the house through the back door.

“I'm sorry. You won't tell Iris, right?” Iris owned the six cats they took care of for ten dollars per hour every weekend. And she was the last person Ray wanted to get into trouble with.

Katie didn't respond to his question, she only rubbed on ‘Orange’ the ginger colored cat which catwalked towards her the minute she stepped in.

If Katie said a word to Iris, fifty cents would be taken from his salary at the end of his month. Last month, he lost a hundred dollars for his misdemeanor. He couldn't let that happen again.

“So um…Katie, what do you need? A cup of coffee? I know you love cold cappuccinos…”

Katie whirled on him, “Ray! Go home. Your shift is over.” Then she grabbed Orange and led him to the couch where she usually lay on to tell the cats a bedtime story.

He knew there was no convincing her not to tell today. He grabbed the keys to his jalopy Ford and drove back to the house.

His mother had just returned from work as usual and she was setting the table for dinner.

“Mom…”

“What happened? Did you get scolded at work again?” It was like everyone was waiting for him to make a mistake.

“No!” He yelled, storming angrily to his room. His entire life was a mess, sometimes he thought it was a mistake. Why couldn't he get what he wanted? Was it too much he was asking for, or was he not just loved?

He couldn't bear the idea of being a burden on his family and his employer, so he made a decision. He was going to leave home. No, in fact, run away from home.

He climbed up to his room and grabbed his suitcase, throwing in as many clothes as he could find. He'd leave the annoying town where he had his annoying life, and he'd go somewhere new for a fresh start.

“Ray?” He couldn't believe his ears. That was aunt Tricia, his favorite aunt. That was the only person in the world who understood him.

“Aunt Tricia?” He turned around and the big smile on her face caused a poodle of tears in his eyes. He ran forward to wrap his arms around her.

“Hey,” she whispered in his ears, “I've missed you.”

She was her step-father’s youngest sister, the only one who truly heard him without judging, and the only one who cared about his feelings.

“Where have you been?” He asked as she broke the embrace, leading him to sit on his bed.

“I went to Utah. I got a job over there but well…things didn't work out.” She was just like him, the odd duckling of the family.

“I'm sorry.” She smiled at him and rose to her feet. “So, what now?”

“I'm thinking of doing something that only we loners can relate to. Building a family for the odd ones out.”

His eyes light up. Oh, how he's always wished he could have someone to talk to. Someone who could understand what he was going through. Someone who for once didn't see him as the problem.

“That'd be a great idea! But how do you plan to do it? Who would even want to join such a group?”

She brought her phone out from her pocket. “We have an advantage, Ray. Social media. I want to start a vlog, we can have people come in and share their stories and expectations, and who knows what it can turn into?”

He absolutely loved the idea.

“I'm just stuck on the name though, I don't know what to call it.”

He rose to his feet, a huge smile on his face. “I know. Call it Loners.”

She threw her arms around him, “Then let's get started. We have a vlog to set up.”