I’ve never been so glad to see my brother’s name.
“Hey,” I say.
“Yo!” he says excitedly. “How’d it go?”
My composure completely breaks down at the sound of his voice.
“Dave,” I sob.
“Jesus,” he barks. “What’s wrong?”
“She said no. And she broke up with me.”
I clench, waiting for him to say she doesn’t deserve me, or that he knew she would do this, or that he’s going to kill her.
But he just says, “How soon can you get to Nashville?”
The idea of being there with him and my family is like someone turned on the lights of a Christmas tree in a dark room, making it glow.
That. I need that.
“I could probably get there by tomorrow night,” I say.
“Book a flight. Right now.”
He’s terse, as always, and it’s comforting. The commanding confidence of an older brother who knows exactly what to do.
“Okay,” I say.
“Hey, Seth?”
“Yeah?”
“You’re going to get through this. It’ll never feel as bad as it feels tonight.”
His kindness cracks me open.
“I love her so much, Dave,” I sob.
“I know, buddy. I know.”
“What do I do?”
“Cry it out. Drink some water. Go to sleep. Text me with your flight info and I’ll pick you up.”
I nod. This is all sensible. These are things I can do.
“Are you going to tell Mom and Dad?” I ask.
“Do you want me to?”
I certainly don’t want to do it myself. They love Molly. They’ll be crushed. And then they’ll be furious at her. And for some reason, I can’t stand the idea of that.
“Yes, please,” I say.
“Then I will.”
“Okay.”
