I stop to think of more stuff we have in common. "We both care about your brother."
"Why would you care about Jake? You just met him."
"And I already like him. He's really sweet, although I think he tries to hide that side from you. He changes when you leave the room."
Dean looks at me. "What do you mean? How does he change?"
"He lets down his guard. Tells me about school and how he wants to do well. When I asked him why, he said he wants you to be proud of him."
"He really said that?"
"He looks up to you, Dean. He doesn't want to disappoint you. He's trying really hard to be the kid you want him to be but he's only 15. You have to cut him some slack. He's going to screw up."
"What else did he say to you?"
I smile. "I probably shouldn't tell you this but he likes this girl at school and wants to ask her out."
Dean shakes his head. "No. He's too young to date. He doesn't need to be starting that shit. He needs to focus on school."
"You weren't dating at 15?"
"Doesn't matter. I'm a screwup. He's not. He's smart and could have a future if he stays on the right path."
"You're not a screwup. Why would you say that?"
His eyes snap back to the blank TV screen. "New topic. Where's your mom?"
"At work. She texted and said she'll be late again."
"I thought she was a secretary. Why's she working the weekend?"
"She works for a lawyer and the woman works nights and weekends."
"So what do you do when she's gone? Just hang out here?"
"Yeah. I watch TV. Do homework. It gets really boring. You want something to drink? Or we could find something to eat. I'm sure that hotdog wasn't enough for you."
"You're the one who should be hungry. You didn't even finish yours."
"I'll go see what we have." I get up.
"Wait." He wraps his hand around mine and pulls me back down beside him. "Tell me what happened. Why were you crying?"
"Oh. That." I look down. "It was that girl and her dad. They were a few seats in front of us."
"Yeah, I saw them."
"She looked like me at that age. And her dad kinda looked like mine."
Dean nods. "And you wanted to have what she had. A dad who was still around and did stuff with you."
"Not just that, but a dad who cares about me. The way he put his arm around her? And kissed her head? You could tell how much he loves her. I wish I had that. I wish my dad loved me."
"He loves you. He's just got his priorities fucked up. When he figures that out, he'll be a dad to you again."
"I doubt it. Madison will get pregnant and my dad will forget all about me." I turn to Dean. "You know what's strange?"
"What?"
