It suits you because you're the brightest out of them all.
I'm so proud of you, my sunshine.
Now and forever.
Grandma Lou x
PS. If Eli's back in your life, be with him. Love him. Have a thousand babies. Make me even prouder if that’s even possible.
21
ELI
Rosalie’s smiling face fills my laptop screen when I video call my sister the morning after Rose left. I realize that I don’t talk with my family enough; once or twice a month isn’t acceptable now that my niece is growing up and starting to understand things more. She’s wearing the Batman costume I got her last Christmas—it finally fits her. My niece is obsessed with superheroes. Well, as much as a four-year-old can be.
“Uncle Eli, guess what, I’m going to spend my turkey holiday with you!” she announces excitedly.
“Sweetie, I was supposed to tell that to him,” my sister, Claire, shouts from behind her daughter and comes closer to the screen.
“Are you telling me that you’ve already planned Thanksgiving, Claire bear?” I ask as my sister rolls her eyes at the old nickname she hates.
“Well, yes, little brother, I am,” she responds sarcastically, setting Peanut on her lap and blowing a raspberry on her cheek. I laugh as my niece shrieks and tells her mom how gross she is.
“You know that I would love to spend the holidays with you. Are your in-laws coming as well?” I inquire as I plan to host everyone at my place and the next-door hotel. There’s no way my family will pay for their accommodation themselves.
“They don’t know yet. But I’ll let you know if they do.” Claire responds. She continues talking more about their plans to stay in the city for a week around the holiday. It all sounds great. Hopefully, I’ll be able to take a day or two off to be with them.
Next, Rosalie tells me all about her neighbor’s new puppy. Her eyes are big and shining as she describes how soft his puppy fur is and how he licked her face yesterday. It seems like my sister and her husband will get a puppy sooner than later. My brother-in-law never could say no to his daughter.
When Rosalie gets bored of the conversation and leaves, my sister asks what’s wrong. She is really good at reading people, especially people close to her. There’s a heavy silence between us as I think about explaining my current situation. I finally answer her question with one of my own.
“Do you rememberMaggieSummers?”
“Yes, the girl next door. What about her?”
“We reconnected a while back and have been seeing each other. At least we were until she walked out on me last night after we had a fight.” I say remorsefully and swallow a lump in my throat. Claire stares at me with wide eyes, her mouth open.
“Claire bear, you look like a goldfish. Close your mouth,” I grumble.
“What happened to my little brother, and what have you done to him?”
“Ha-ha, very funny. Could you be serious for a moment?” I run my hand through my hair. “I was wrong and said something foolish. But I couldn’t express myself well at that moment. On top of all that shit, I used that moment to tell her that I loved her. And I know…I knowit was the wrong time.” I sigh as my sister’s eyes get even rounder.
“Elijah Peter Parker, did you actually tell her that you loved her in the middle of a freaking fight?” Claire shouts.
I know I’m in deep shit when she uses my old name.
I wince as the words leave my mouth. “I did. Fuck, what should I do as I can’t imagine my life without her. But I don’t know how to fix my wrongdoings.”
“First of all, you rarely admit being wrong. And for once, you do. For that, I’m proud of you, Eli. I think you should give her time and I know it’s hard but don’t text her. Just try to do something else, like go for a run.” She suggests and takes a sip of her coffee.
“I’ll do just that. Thanks, Claire. Um, I love you. I hope you know that.”
“I do. Love you too, my little brother who isn’t that little anymore.”
After our goodbyes and another round of love yous, I disconnect the call and get ready for a long run.
* * *
