I couldn’t remember a time that I was away from Chance. Even when I stayed at Milo’s house, he was still in the city. We were never more than fifteen minutes from one another and that was just in the last few weeks. The rest of our lives we were always together.
When we first arrived in the city, we stayed in a shelter, and after a few months we saved money from our jobs and rented a one-bedroom apartment in a horrible section of town. I made sure Chance went to school every day. He fought me most days, but I didn’t give in.
After he graduated two years ago, he worked as much as he could. He didn’t always find the best work or honest jobs. With what little we had, we paid the rent or bought groceries. Most months we couldn’t do both.
Our lives were not perfect, but we managed. It was always an adventure. This past Christmas, we decorated a house plant that the previous tenant left behind in our apartment. It was a pathetic Christmas tree but the first one we had in many years.
The night before, we scrounged up enough money to buy a pizza and mozzarella sticks. A big splurge. Chance could have eaten more, but he wrapped the pizza up and put it away so we would have something to eat the next day.
I told him if he was still hungry, he should eat. He could have whatever was left the next day and I would be fine with whatever we had in the cabinet. A can of soup and crackers. He waited until the next day and we shared the leftover pizza.
A week later, we found ourselves in a strange nightclub on New Year's Eve. Unbeknownst to me, Chance was trying to sell drugs he couldn’t afford to men who were loyal to Milo. In my heart, I knew my brother did that so we wouldn't have to spend another Christmas hungry and cold.
What should have been the worst night of our lives was anything but because Milo saved me. And now, Chance was headed to Italy to start a new life with opportunities that people like us weren’t often afforded.
I had been so focused on my sob story, I hadn’t realized Milo had joined me on the floor until he held me in his arms.
“I should have been here, but I was trying to give you space. I didn’t want Chance and I to argue in front of you.”
“I appreciate that.” I cuddled into him. “It was difficult to say goodbye, but I know this is the right move for him.”
“My father will make him a man.” Milo kissed the top of my head. “As hard as this is for you, you need some time to focus on you. You’ve taken care of Chance his whole life. You’re an amazing person, and I understand how much you’ve sacrificed to take care of him.”
“I never wanted to sacrifice you.”
“I don’t think that’s what you did.” He held me close. “I gave you an impossible scenario that night in the cabin, and you did what you had to do.”
“You’ve given me much more than that impossible scenario. You saved me in more ways than one.” I rubbed my fingers along the top of his hand. “I don’t know how I’m ever going to thank you.”
“Be happy.”
“I am.”
“That’s enough for me.” He tilted my chin and kissed me. “I have to get back to work.”
“I have some files that I wanted to put away.” I motioned toward his desk. “Is there anything else you need me to do?”
“If I didn’t have to get back to work, I’d let you blow me.” He smirked. “I still might.”
“Milo, you’re a mess.”
“But I’m your mess.” He stood and extended his hand for me. “You don’t have to file today. This is an emotional day for you. Why don’t you snuggle on the couch and watch a movie on the tablet?”
“That’s not what I’m here to do.”
“You’re here to do whatever I tell you to do.” He pulled me from the floor. “If you’re not up to working, I want you to relax.”
“Maybe after the filing,” I said. “I can order us lunch.”
“I have a meeting with a buyer in my dad’s office, but I’m free for lunch.”
“What would you like?”
“Surprise me.”
“I will.” I touched the faint hole in his nose. “I do miss your piercing.”
“Talk to the old man.” He winked. “Maybe if you ask him, he’ll let me put it back in.”
