“What’s number three?”
I thought for a moment. Was Mitch trustworthy enough to reveal number three? By the earnest expression on his face, I decided he was.
“Number three. Find my own botanist.”
A smile spread across his face. “Everyone needs a botanist.”
“I already found her, dude. I just need to… find her again.”
Rubbing the stubble on his chin, he met my eye. “Well, you can cross number one off your list. I forgive you.”
“Just like that? You don’t want me to grovel? Maybe… organize your pantry or wash your truck naked?”
“No. God, no. I don’t want you touching anything in my house. You look like you have fleas. How long has it been since you showered?”
“Fuck you. I showered yesterday. I’m not dirty. I’m just going for the ‘unkempt’ vibe.”
“Well, then, bravo, brother. You’re killing it.”
I shrugged. “Chicks dig the homeless look.”
“No. No, they do not.”
I smiled, buoyed by how easily he’d pardoned me yet also wise enough to know he might still be harboring some resentment.
“Why are you forgiving me so easily?” I asked.
His answer took time to formulate, but when it did, Mitch blew me away. “Because, if I’m being perfectly honest, it’s not all your fault, Keith. I might have fanned the flames. See, every chance I got was spent trying to show you up. I made sure that everything you did, Dad could see me doing better. It’s how I became a star athlete and an honors student. I pushed myself past every barrier, raising the bar each time, all to ensure that you, the kid who had everything, would never be better than me.”
I leaned in, shocked by his admission. “You thoughtIhad everything?”
“You did. Michelle has always adored you. I mean, I know she loves me in her own way, but I’m not hers. She was never vested in me like she was with her own kids. And you – you ran the pack. They all followed along like little ducklings. Jake especially. Even now, I don’t think he likes me because he doesn’t want to be unfaithful to you.”
“Shit,” I mumbled, realizing he spoke the truth. Their strained relationship had everything to do with me.
“Dad was the only one I could stand out for,” Mitch continued. “So that’s what I did. I stood out and made damn sure you were watching me do it. So, yeah, I twisted a few knives myself, but you just weren’t bright enough to figure out what I was doing.”
“Huh.” I nodded, trying to process the information pinging through my brain. “Wait. Hold up… you were jealous? Of me?”
“Yes.”
I let that awesome piece of reality soak in for a second before slapping his knee and laughing. “Well, fuck me! You petty little bitch!”
Mitch chuckled, spreading his evil genius arms out to the sides.
“So then, are you saying you’re not perfect after all?”
Puffing his chest out, Mitch smirked. “No. I’m perfect.”
We laughed together, and an understanding passed between us. When it came right down to it, Mitch and I weren’t all that different – except maybe for his chiseled good looks, bright future, and out-of-this-world organizational skills. But, you know, I could live with that. Because for the first time since we were kids, I had faith we could finally become friends.
“You wanna get some breakfast?” he asked.
“Depends. You wanna put a shirt on?”
Mitch chuckled as he stood up. “Depends. Are you buying?”
“Depends. Do you like McMuffins? ‘Cuz that’s all I can afford.”
