Page 127 of Crazy Thing

Seeing my brother in this pathetic state only makes me appreciate Ziggy even more. I drop my eyes to my phone, sending her a quick message to let her know that I’m thinking of her and that I can’t wait to get home.

Ziggy: Hurry up. I miss you

She attaches a selfie. She’s in my kitchen, wearing a tank top and cut-off jeans, making a kissy face at the camera asshe cooks up a buckwheat feast. If that isn’t something to look forward to, I don’t know what is.

“Come on, guys. Hurry up,” I hustle my brothers along.

Archer doesn’t actually need a screwdriver so I have no idea why I’m even humoring him when I have other shit to do. Even still, we all file over to the tools section of the store and begin browsing the selection of screwdrivers.

Through an open doorway, I catch sight of Greg sitting at his desk. Archer heads in that direction and I wander after him.

My oldest brother pokes his head inside the office. “Hey Greg.” He gets the usual grunt and nod in response. “Just wanted to thank you for giving Layla this job. It really means a lot to her. As a single mom, she’s been having a hard time keeping—”

“You probably shouldn’t be thanking me,” the man grouses without looking up from the calculator that he’s stabbing resentfully with his blunt fingertips.

Alarmed, Archer takes a step into the office. “What does that mean?”

Greg sighs heavily. “Been a long time since this place was really profitable. I’m getting too old to be working so hard with nothing to show for it.” He pushes a stack of bills aside. Some of them flutter to the floor. “I think it’s about time that I throw in the towel and close my doors for good.”

I see the color drain from Archer’s face.

Right then, Nolan steps up beside us holding three star-tipped screwdrivers in his hands. He fans them out in Archer’s face. “Okay. Pick one of these and let’s get the hell out of here,” he commands.

Archer numbly selects a screwdriver and we nudge him to the cash register where he pays, offering Layla a forced smile as she hands him his change.

“Bye guys,” she says brightly as we leave.

We each offer her a wave in response. I can’t help but feel bad for her. She seems to actually like this job, and unbeknownst to her, she’s about to lose it.

Out on the sidewalk, I clamp a hand on Archer’s shoulder. “You okay, man?”

His head wags from left to right. “I can’t…” he mutters. “I can’t let Greg close that shop. I can’t let Layla lose that job. She needs it. She…she doesn’t have any help. Not financially, not otherwise. Sheneedsthis job.” He pulls on his hair.

“So what are you going to do?” Mason asks, twirling the basketball around on his index finger.

Archer straightens his shoulders, holding his head high with determination. “I’m going to buy the shop. I’m going to get a bank loan or…a business partner…or…or…I’ll sell feet pics, if I have to. I’ll do what I’ve got to do.”

Nolan flinches. “Damn. That’s a bit extreme.”

“No one’s paying money to see those ugly bunions and chipped toenails of yours.” Felix gags.

Archer’s eyes shoot poisoned arrows across the air.

Nolan shrugs. “Not trying to burst your bubble, bro, but there’s just not a market for what you’re selling.”

“Shut your face hole.” Archer growls menacingly, fists on his hips as he paces back and forth on the sidewalk.

I stand there, arms folded across my chest, waiting for him to remember that he has a billionaire brother. Heaven knows that if I’m the one to offer him my assistance, he might turn me down just for the heck of it.

After a long moment, a lightbulb flicks on behind his eyes and he turns to me. “You asked me what I want in life?”

“Yup.” I nod, already knowing where this is going and more than ready to help.

“Thisis it,” Archer says, motioning to the brick buildinglooming behind us. “I want to buy the hardware store and I’d like you to be my business partner.”

50

ZIGGY

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