Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 98324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
My phone feels heavy in my hand as I scroll to Theo’s number. Last time I dialed, he didn’t call me back. If I try again, does that make me an adult? Or does that make me pathetic?
Before I can second-guess myself, I tap his name and lift the phone to my ear.
“Hello?” His voice is tentative.
“Hi. It’s Darcy.”
“No way. Hi!”
I guess that’s not the worst opening. “Listen, I just wanted to let you know that my EKG came back normal.”
There’s a pause, and then a rush of breath. “Oh, wow. That’s… that’s really good news. Mine was normal, too.”
“Yeah?” The knot in my chest loosens a little. “Glad to hear it.”
The silence stretches between us. I could just leave it at that. Simple medical update delivered, familial duty discharged. But the words bubble up before I can stop them: “Eric mentioned you came to one of our playoff games in May.”
Another pause, longer this time. “Yeah. I… Maribel wanted to see him play.”
“Right.” I trace the rim of my mug with one finger, trying to keep my voice neutral. “I’m the one who arranges all the comp seats, actually. You could ask me. Next time.”
“Oh.” He sounds uncomfortable now. “I had no idea.”
“I know,” I say with an awkward laugh. “When I told Eric that we… that we’re related, I think I blew his mind.”
Theo lets out his own awkward chuckle. “Yeah, he must think we’re the weirdest family on earth.”
“For good reason.” We both laugh. “He also asked me to inquire about what you guys need for your new house, and I didn’t even know you were buying one.”
“Yeah…” He lets out a breath. “I’m a shitty brother. I’m sorry. I can do better.”
That’s a bigger response than I’d bargained for, and I wonder if I’m supposed to apologize, too. But nah. “Maybe start by clueing us in on what you might want as a wedding gift. No idea too weird.”
“Um, a wheelbarrow.”
I laugh. “Really?”
“Really. The landscaping is going to be a job. And we sank all our cash into the renovation, so we’re going to have to DIY it.”
I try and fail to picture my brother doing manual labor in his own yard. Then again, I couldn’t picture him swing dancing, either. “I’m pretty sure we could make that happen, especially if you text me the address.”
“Thank you,” he says quickly. “That’d be amazing.”
“You’re welcome.”
“And—seriously—great news about your EKG. Tell Dad. He’ll want to know.”
“I’ll do that.”
“… But not Tessa,” he adds. “Dad isn’t telling her until after the wedding.”
“I heard.” I roll my eyes.
“You know how she gets.”
“Yeah, but…” This is what makes us a weird family. “When did we decide to spend our whole lives dancing around Tessa’s feelings? She doesn’t dance around ours.”
“No kidding,” he mutters. “But I don’t need her drama at my wedding. Maribel doesn’t deserve that. Doesn’t feel like the right time to teach her a lesson.”
“True.” Except there’s never a right time. I don’t voice this aloud because this is the nicest phone call I’ve ever had with Theo.
Or maybe the only one.
Instead, I do the kind thing—I tell my brother how much I enjoyed meeting Maribel, and how much I’m looking forward to his wedding. Some of that is even true. And we sign off pleasantly.
Next, I do a little research. I call a nice garden center in Massachusetts to scope out the right gift. Then I text Eric.
Darcy: Found the perfect wedding present. You’ll never guess what it is.
Eric: A crystal fruit bowl? One of those 2K napkin sets?
Darcy: Even better. Picture this: The Porsche Taycan of wheelbarrows.
Eric:… what
Darcy: Commercial grade. Dual-wheel action. Reinforced steel frame. Zero to fully loaded in 3.2 seconds.
Eric: Are you okay?
Darcy: Custom powder coating. Ergonomic handles. This baby can hold so many perennials.
Eric: I’m so confused right now. They asked for a wheelbarrow?
Darcy: Theo did! Apparently, they blew their renovation budget and need to do their own landscaping. I found one that’s basically the supercar of lawn equipment.
Eric: Only you could make a wheelbarrow sound sexy. Does it come with leather seats?
Darcy: Sadly no. But it DOES come in midnight blue. Very on-brand for you.
Eric: Thank god. My reputation would suffer if we gave them a yellow one.
Darcy: We’re also getting them a gift card for plants. You know, like adding the sport package.
Eric: You’re ridiculous. I love it. Send me the damage, and I’ll Venmo you.
Darcy: Will do. Also my EKG is normal.
Eric: FUCK YES!!! Why didn’t you lead with that?
He follows up the text with a champagne emoji and that…
thing with the streamers coming out of it.
Darcy: Because shopping. And why do the emojis for celebration just suck? What is that thing. A bullhorn?
My phone rings, and it’s Eric. When I answer, he says, “I thought it was a party hat. Or a party cornucopia.” He’s panting for some reason.