Twenty-three

His last statement piques my curiosity, this is the first time he’s talking about his family without me asking but that isn’t it, it’s the guilt laced in his words. He still blames himself for whatever happened with Eunice. I don’t know her but I don’t like that he’s beating himself up over it. We all do regrettable things as teenagers, I ran our only car into a ditch. Pa nearly had a heart attack and Ma, she refused to talk to me until he calmed down. It was my fault, I should never have done it because of a stupid dare.

I wait with my lip between my teeth for him to continue but he doesn’t and I sigh, I guess that’s all the childhood information I will be getting from him today. Or not.

"Why do you think she was fired because of you?" I ask in a gentle voice and his eyes come to rest on my face. "She might have gotten a better offer somewhere." Brandon scoffs and I roll my eyes; all he needs is a bit of convincing. "Okay. Where’s she now?"