I was about to give up on that room anyway.
Jupiter
Because it was your mother’s room?
My Not-So-Toxic Stepbrother
Yeah.
Jupiter
Was it painful? To clean it out before.
It’s too personal for him, I know. But I’m afraid I’m not going to back off. I’m not going to leave him alone to be by himself. Not after everything we’ve been through. Besides, he invited me to live with him in this house, and I intend to make the most of it.
My Not-So-Toxic Stepbrother
It was.
For all of us. None of us could do it. I remember Ledger threw up the moment he entered the room and never went back in. Stellan probably got up to stripping the sheets but that was it.
Con never went in. Callie was too little.
Jupiter
What about you?
My Not-So-Toxic Stepbrother
I finished stripping the bed. Getting rid of the rest of the bedding. I packed up her knickknacks from the dresser. But that was all. Couldn’t touch her clothes or any of her other stuff in the closet.
Then Con locked up the room and said no one was supposed to go in there. And no one did.
Jupiter
Until you again.
My Not-So-Toxic Stepbrother
Yeah.
I bite my lip, thinking how he’d been the only one years ago who did what his brothers couldn’t do. And I bet he did it for them more than for himself. I bet he did it because what kind of a brother would he be if he didn’t help them out?
God, I wish we were having this conversation face to face. I wish we weren’t talking through screens like we’re miles away instead of being in the same house. But I know this is for the best, him downstairs and me up here. Because I don’t know what I would do if I actually saw him right now. I’d probably throw myself at him, and break all the promises I have made.
Jupiter
What made you change your mind now?
My Not-So-Toxic Stepbrother
It’s time.
Jupiter
Time for what?
My Not-So-Toxic Stepbrother
