Page 72 of Yours Until Forever

Tim:

I mean, I was going on a date. But…

Colin:

Sorry, I’ve got work I’ve gotta do tonight.

Me:

Tim.

Tim:

Say it.

Me:

You’re the best brother alive and I owe you my soul.

Tim:

There it is. I’ll be there in an hour.

Colin:

I’ll do school drop-off tomorrow.

Me:

Colin, you are a gift from the heavens.

Tim:

Okay, rude. I’m the one canceling on hot girl summer over here.

Me:

You were going to the same bar you always go to on a Monday and ordering the same beer you always order.

Tim:

Unnecessary.

After I tell Sarah that she’s going to stay with her uncle tonight, I get exactly ninety seconds of peace before she walks out in her “Future Career Day” costume. The one she’s supposed to wear tomorrow. The one I’ve kept in perfect condition, bagged, and labeled so nothing could go wrong.

She’s dressed as a vet-slash-pop-star, which, according to her, required a white lab coat covered in glitter, a microphone, and a stethoscope.

She twirls like she’s in a Broadway audition. “I want to show Uncle Tim!”

“No,” I say calmly, like I have energy for calm. “Take it off. We’ll pack it and you can show him tomorrow morning when you get dressed for school.”

She refuses. I argue. She argues louder. And then?—

RIP.

She yanks the costume off like a feral little tornado and tears the sleeve clean down the seam.

I let out a sound that might actually have been a growl. Or a scream. Or maybe just my soul trying to exit my body through my throat.

---