“Yeah, it might sound dumb, but I felt obligated to keep the position within the family.” For a split second, I consider telling her about the bar, but don’t. I still haven’t gotten back to Jerry. I know he needs an answer, and I know I can’t do both even though I wish I could.
“I get it,” she says, tipping the can up and taking a sip. “I feel obligated with my family too.”
“What do you mean?”
CHAPTER 16: I’M NOT A NERD
WREN
Ihesitate before answering his question. Tonight has been a little strange—but nice. I could have done without him catching me dancing, or burning dinner, but I don’t hate hanging out with him, and the pizza is good.
“My younger brother had an accident six years ago and requires a lot of help. After it happened, I felt obligated to be there everyday and to help my parents. I really threw myself into caring for him and helping them. I still struggle with it sometimes, but moving out and living somewhere else was a big step for me.”
His face falls. “I didn’t know that,” he says. “Here you are dealing with real shit, and I’m complaining about being a nepo baby.”
“I didn’t take it that way. Just because my family stuff sounds more tragic, that doesn’t make the way you’re feeling about your stuff less valid.”
“Is he okay? Your brother?”
“He’s doing okay now considering everything he’s been through. The accident left him with a brain and a spinal cord injury, so he’s in a wheelchair, and he uses acomputer to talk.”
“What happened?” He looks a little nervous. “Is that okay to ask?”
“Yeah. Um, he was in high school, and was decorating for the homecoming dance. They had propped one of those really tall ladders against the retracted bleachers, and it wasn’t stable.” My voice shakes a little as I tell the story. “When he climbed to the top to hang a backdrop, he fell.”
His eyes go wide. “Oh, my god, Wren. That’s terrible.”
“Yeah, it was really bad. We almost lost him, but we didn’t.” I play with the hair tie around my wrist. This isn’t the first time I’ve explained what happened to him to someone, but it always brings up the emotions associated with it.
“I’m sorry. We don’t have to talk about this,” he says. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“You didn’t. It’s just hard to remember.”
“Will you tell me more about him?”
The question takes me by surprise. I’m used to people feeling bad for my family. I’m used to hearing their apologies and being told we’re in their prayers, but I’m not used to people wanting to get to know about my brother.
“He’s really funny, and he loves to curse. He was seventeen when it happened, so he still acts a lot like a teenager, and he likes the same things. We watch a lot of Marvel movies.”
“I fucking love Marvel. What’s his favorite?”
“We watch them all, but lately he’s been on an OGIron Mankick.”
“Wait, is that why you knew the answer to the trivia question this summer?” he asks.
My mind drifts back to trivia night and how Tanner and I were the only two who knew which song played inGuardians Of The GalaxyandReservoir Dogs.An unwanted thought of him flirting shamelessly with the waitress assaults my memory, and I try to push it away. He’s being nice, and I’mliving with him now. I should try to give him the benefit of the doubt.
“Oh, yeah.Guardiansis one of Cody’s favorites. I think I have that movie memorized. I’ve seen it so many times. The soundtrack is great too.”
“Your brother has good taste. If I had to rate my top five it would beThor: Ragnarokas number five, thenGuardians of the Galaxy: Volume 1, thenAvengers: Infinity War, thenBlack Panther, and thenIron Man.”
I grab another slice of pizza, staring at him in disbelief while I chew.
“Did you see they’re bringing back RDJ as Doctor Doom? I’m not convinced it’s a good idea, but I guess we’ll see,” he says.
“RDJ?”
“Robert Downey Junior,” he says.
