Brad could smell an overpowering odor of beer. “What are you doing in here?”
“Oh, uh, I didn’t feel like going up the stairs.” He pushed himself to his feet and slightly wobbled. “I’m cool, though. Just had to close my eyes for a second.”
“Let me help.”
Jon pushed away and held his hands up. “I said I’m cool, Bradford. Back off, br—bro.” He muffled a belch, then walked out of the room in a relatively straight line. Brad sighed before sitting on the couch and rubbing his face. What made Jon hurt so much? What had him doing this to himself?
And how could he help him?
He’d always been the one to want to fix everything for everyone. But if he didn’t know what hurt Jon, he couldn’t do anything about it. Assuming he could do something about it.
He felt like he knew nothing about his brother anymore. He took every job he could away from Atlanta and spent months away from home. Clearly, he felt the need to escape. This last trip to Egypt, though, something had changed him. He’d come back darker, defiant, unbending. And now drinking to excess.
Feeling a bit helpless, Brad stood and walked out of the room, stopping at the front door to make sure Jon had locked it. And, if he was honest with himself, to make sure Jon hadn’t driven home. Not seeing the truck in the driveway gave him a bit of relief.
Back upstairs, he tapped on Ken’s door and opened it. Ken rarely stayed here anymore. In between houses, he’d use his old room until the newest house had running water and a good roof. He found Ken sitting at his desk, a drafting program open on his laptop. He looked up as Brad opened the door. “Hey.”
“Little late, bro. Everything okay?”
Brad rubbed the back of his neck. “I just found Jon passed out in dad’s study.”
“Yeah. I heard him come in about two hours ago.”
“Something’s eating at him. Do you know what’s going on?”
Ken shook his head. “No, I do not. I don’t pry like you, though.”
“Pry?” Brad laughed. “Is that what it’s called?”
“That’s what it becomes at some point.” He shut the laptop and pushed away from his desk. “Do we need to arrange an intervention, or do you think we need to just love him?”
“I feel like I’m hearing sarcasm.”
“You always had a good ear. Trust your feelings. I swear, sometimes you remind me of the annoying little sister I never had and never wanted.” Ken walked closer and slipped his hands into his jeans pockets. “Jon’s just as intelligent as you are, probably more so, and was raised in exactly the same environment. Leave him be. He’ll work out whatever’s on his heart. He just came home from Egypt. There’s no telling the experiences he had there. He has to process whatever this is.”
“And if he gets hurt in the process of me leaving him be?”
Ken chuckled. “Then you have my permission to wag your finger in my face and tell me you told me so before you tattle-tale to Mom and Dad.” He leaned his shoulder against the wall. “Like any prying little sister.”
Properly chastised, Brad backed out of the room. “Good talk,” he said, trying not to laugh at himself while still feeling a touch of concern for his brother. “See you in the morning.”
He paused at Jon’s door before going to his room. He wanted to talk to him, but he would wait until tomorrow.
Back in his room, he got ready for bed. As he brushed his teeth, he looked at the list of dates he’d made once he had access to his calendar. Impulsively, he picked up his phone and typed out a text.
Hey. These are the dates I’m free for fishing. Let me know which works for you.
Turning out his bathroom light, he smiled and thought about Valerie asking him on a fishing date. He couldn’t imagine a less romantic environment, but he loved that she wanted to go with him. He’d pack a picnic. Maybe offer to cook her their catch.
Just as he settled into bed, he heard his phone chirp with her reply. She’d picked Wednesday afternoon. Just a few days away. He’d see her tomorrow, too.
As he drifted off to sleep, he realized he still smiled.
Valerie watched one of theteenagers jump onto the rope swing and swing out above the water and let go, landing with a loud splash. His friends cheered him on.
She laughed and looked at Jon, who stared at the group with squinted eyes. “Did you put that up?”
“I did. I’m just watching it and making sure it’s gonna hold.” His face relaxed as another teen took the challenge and splashed into the water. “Looks good. Cool.” He shifted the baseball cap on his head. “Remember the one dad built us? I didn’t listen to the way he told us to do it and ended up with rope burns on my hands. I didn’t realize how badly I’d hurt myself until I got into the shower that night and the shampoo touched my palms.”
