Page 108 of Summer Reading

“Oh yes, it is,” Tyler said. He slugged back half of his milk, leaving a white mustache on his upper lip. “I think what Sam really wants to know is if your weekend with Moira is what ended your marriage to Sam’s mom?”

“Yeah, that,” I said. “Just to be clear.”

“No,” Dad said. “Our marriage had been over for a while by the time I left. While I loved your mother, Sam, and still do as a friend, I just couldn’t live with her.”

“I know,” I said. My mom, Lisa, was a type A personality, and Dad was absolutely a B. Honestly, I have no idea how they ever got together from the start.

“That’s good to hear,” Tyler said. “You know, I’ve often worried that Mom and I were your backup family.”

Both Dad and I went very still. Tyler, oblivious to the stunned reaction his words elicited, shoved more asparagus in his mouth. My pride at getting him to eat vegetables was stunted by the sick feeling in my stomach caused by the worry that I had somehow contributed to his feelings of being second best. Had teenage me, in all of my rebellious anger, caused Tyler to feel this way?

Dad glanced at my face and correctly interpreted the stricken expression I could feel pinching my features. Dad’s big strong hand landed on my forearm and he gave me a fatherly pat. “No, don’t think like that. Any blame for your brother feeling like second string is mine and mine alone.”

He turned to Tyler. “Buddy, I don’t know what to say. You and your mom and Samantha are everything to me. I suppose I didn’t manage the guilt I felt about the end of my first marriage very well and for that I am deeply sorry. I love you all so much. It breaks me to think you believe you’re a backup anything.”

He stared down at his plate. I could see there were tears in his eyes. This time I reached over and put my hand on his forearm at the same time that Tyler did. We both gave our dad a gentle squeeze.

“Don’t worry about it,” Tyler said. “I have recently come to appreciate that it’s never too late to establish a strong family bond. Right, Sis?”

“One hundred percent, Bro,” I agreed. He held out his hand and we exchanged the complicated handshake we’d been working on. I messed it up and started laughing. Then I leaned over in my seat and hugged him. Tyler didn’t know it but he had staked a claim on acres of real estate in my heart. I figured it was time I told him, so I said, “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” he replied.

A weird noise came from across the table and I let go of Tyler and looked at Dad. He was sobbing. Not old school clear-your-throat-and-move-on boo-hoos, oh no, this was big, emotional, drowning-in-his-feelings bawling.

Tyler and I both hopped up from our chairs and hugged him.

“Are you all right, Dad?” I asked.

“Is this jet lag?” Tyler asked. “Because other than when Vovó passed away, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you cry.”

“I’m fine and no, it’s not jet lag,” Dad said. He picked up his napkin, dabbed his eyes, and blew his nose. “It’s you two, you’re friends now,” he said. His voice broke on the words.

Tyler and I grinned at each other.

“We’re more than that,” I said. “We’re siblings.”

“Yeah,” Tyler nodded. “And just wait until you see us dance.”

“What?” Dad asked.

“Long story,” I said. “Dad, I don’t want to pry intoyour personal life—okay, that’s a lie. The truth is I need to know more about you and the summer of 1989.”

Tyler and I sat back down and Dad said, “Does this have to do with that picture?”

“Yes.”

He studied my face. “Does this have to do with your friend Ben?”

I nodded.

“Okay. Nineteen eighty-nine. Best summer ever. The Procrastinators were rockin’ the island, we had gigs every night either here or on the Cape.” He turned to Tyler. “Pro tip: If you ever go into music, always pick the guitar. Women love the guitar, plus it’s a lot easier to break down than a drum kit.”

“Noted,” Tyler said. He laughed. Then he pointed his fork at Dad’s remaining tuna. “You gonna eat that?”

“Fish, you’re voluntarily eating fish?” Dad asked. Tyler nodded. “Take it.”

As my brother forked the tuna steak onto his own plate, Dad looked at me and said, “A miracle, you’ve worked a miracle here.”

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