Casper:Oh.Right.I mean, it’s probably nothing.
Dante:OMG just tell me, Cas.
Casper:OK ok.So Paula and I are in Milwaukee, right?A little pre-wedding trip, drink some beer, whatever.And she’s a HUGE fan of Elvie.I mean, like, supernova fan.When I told her my little brother used to play with her, she nearly shat the bed.No joke
Dante:Great thing to say about your fiancée
Casper:whatever.So I surprise her with these tickets, right?And I think maybe we’ll go up afterward, wave hi, give Paula something monumental.
Dante:You could literally have asked me and I would have texted her you were coming.
Casper:I thought you guys weren’t talking?
…
Dante:Fine.I would’ve texted Selene.What’s the point?
Casper:The point is, Ellery looked awful, man.Nothing like she used to.She was so bright, so vibrant.
Dante:You already have a fiancée.
…
Casper:Dude.You know I never wanted Ellery, right?
…
Casper:Dante.Seriously.
Dante:It’s just—everything’s always been so easy for you.
Casper:Is it easy to stand in your shadow?Hardly.
Dante:What?
Casper:Dante, you rock.You’re an amazing musician.You travel the world.You know incredibly famous people.You’ve never been anyone other than completely yourself.I’m just plain old Casper Baker, and it took me way too long to realize that.I’m a future electric minivan owner, dude.
Dante: there’s no shame in that.
Casper:I mean it, though.I try my best not to compare myself to you and your success.We’re family.We have each other’s backs.
…
Dante:Thanks
CasperSo about Ellery.Talk to her.
Dante:I don’t know what to say.She lost everything.She’s changed.She doesn’t need me anymore.
Casper:Bullshit.She didn’t lose Selene and Lorraine.She didn’t lose you.She didn’t lose us.All families look different, right?She still has one.And it’s ok to miss the one she had.But you need to be the one that’s still there.
…
Dante: Fuck, man, that was beautiful.
Casper: And about her changing, I mean, we all change, Dante.Even you.You might think you haven’t, but are you really the same person you were when you were twenty-one?Please.
Dante:I haven’t changed that much
