“If I never see you again,” I say to him, “you should know that your archetype is one of the easiest to kill.”
Winston stiffens. “Uh. What?”
“Hey,” Adam says loudly. He doesn’t budge from his chair. “I want to know what’s happening—”
“Did you just—Was that your idea of a joke?” Winston says to me. “Did you just attempt a sense of humor?”
“James—” Adam tries again.
James grabs his jacket off the back of his seat, his fist tightening around the denim. He turns to his brother with a stifled sigh, his voice firm but not unkind when he says, “Look, are you sure you want to know what’s happening? Because I don’t think you do. I don’t think you need to drive yourself crazy with a little information and no ready solution. But if you reallywant to know, I’ll tell you.”
Adam pushes both hands through his hair and finallystands up. He turns in a half circle, taking in the emptying room. A few stragglers shovel last bites of food into their mouths before dropping their plates with a clatter. A bearded redhead in an apron stands, stunned, behind the front counter, surveying the aftermath.
“Iwant to know what’s happening,” I offer.
“I bet you do,” says Winston.
“Shut up, Winston,” I say softly, keeping my eyes on James. “Your inability to endure silence masks an unresolved trauma that’s obvious to everyone but you.”
Winston manages a stunned laugh.
James shoots me an indecipherable look, but he doesn’t answer my question. In fact, he seems upset.
Withme.
My dread solidifies into fear.
“I don’t think it’s obvious to everyone,” Winston says nervously. “Do you think it’s obvious to everyone?”
“Honestly, I’m already driving myself crazy,” Adam is saying to James, glancing in my direction. “She never even finished explaining the first bombshell, and now this.”
“You don’t need to worry about any of it,” James reassures him. “Everything is going to be fine. I’ll update you on the situation as soon as the issue is resolved. Go home. Get some rest.”
Adam looks up at him. His panic is real.
It surprises me, even in the middle of so much turbulence, to witness this unusual dynamic. I’d already reasoned that Adam was averse to conflict, but I’d not determinedthat James would need to manage the emotional needs of his older brother. James is acting as if this is an old pattern; as if it’s something he’s done many times before.
It makes me wonder about their history.
“C’mon, let’s get out of here,” Winston says, throwing his arm over Adam’s shoulder. He shoots me a furtive glance. “Rosabelle is starting to scare the shit out of me.”
With a final sigh and a last look, Adam relents.
Another ring of a bell, a slam of a door, and he and Winston disappear into the night.
The restaurant is now emptied out.
The only people left are me and James and the bearded redhead behind the counter.
I’m still watching James, my apprehension rising. “You’re not going to tell me what’s happening?”
“You’re not going to like what I have to say.”
I step back.
My heart rate spikes. “This has something to do with me.”
It’s not a question.
