Page 53 of Undeniably Perfect

“Brix?”

“Hey.”

“Uh, what’s wrong?” I ask, looking at my phone to check the time. I realize it’s morning there and he’s probably just checking in on me.

“How’s Grandma and Pops? I haven’t gotten ahold of them in a few days,” Brix asks.

“Good. I need to get out there and see them,” I say to him. “I haven’t been in a few weeks, even though I’ve called them. Things have been a little busy.” I partly resent Brix for being able to travel the world, while I’m here. I don’t mind checking in on our grandparents. They were good to us. But they are sort of reserved and stuck in their ruts. My grandmother knits a shit ton and goes to bingo night at the local church. My grandfather hangs out at the VFW and exchanges war stories. We don’t have a ton in common, but I know they love me.

“I promise, I’ll get out there this week,” I reassure him.

“Yeah, can you? I’m sure they are fine, I just want to make sure,” he says with a sigh.

“You OK?” I ask, turning around to have some privacy. I hear Kent walk toward the house and unlock the door.

“I’m fine. I’m just…it’s been tough this time. Funds are low, patients are sick, there’s so many. I’ve never thought about coming home permanently, Tab, but I’ve been thinking more and more about it recently.”

“Wow, really?”

“Yes. I…I don’t know. It’s just a lot.”

“I bet. I mean, I’d love for you to be here. I miss you, Brix,” I say because it’s true. Brix is my closest family member. And I know at the end of the day if I needed him, he would always have my back if I asked him. It’s funny how things from your childhood dip into your present. Even though we aren’t little anymore, I still feel like it’s such a huge ask when I need a favor from him. We aren’t two little kids trying to survive anymore. I can ask him for help. I stop warring with myself as he answers.

“I miss you, too, Tabby. I just needed to hear a familiar voice from home. It’s been a long week. Lost five kids. And I’m pretty sure I’m gonna lose two more today.”

“Sorry, Brixy. That sucks. They are lucky to have you fighting for them though.”

“I just wish I could do more.”

“You’re a good man, Brixton. One of the best I know. Keep fighting the good fight, and I’ll talk to you after I visit Grandma and Pops, OK?”

“OK, love ya, Tabby.”

“Love you too, Brix,” I say as we hang up and head inside. My earlier desire for sex has been completely doused.

Thankfully, after I tell Kent about my conversation, we agree to put on an old nineties movie and curl up in comfy clothes while sipping tea. I lean my head on his shoulder as we watch the film, and something about how his body shakes each time he laughs makes me feel happier than I have been in a long time.

Chapter Twenty-Three

“Tabby, that you?” Pops yells from the den.

“Yep, it’s me. Where’s Gran?”

“She went down the street to drop some bread off at Mrs. Johnson’s house. Mr. Johnson had hip replacement surgery last week.”

I walk in to find Pops in a flannel shirt and jeans, his feet up on an old ottoman, some sort of car race is on television.

“Sorry I haven’t been around. Works been crazy.”

“No worry, sweet cakes. Come have a seat.”

I sit down next to him and watch the race. I don’t follow racing, so I have no idea who’s good and who’s not.

“So, you talk to Brix lately?”

I nod. “He’s good. Just busy as usual.”

“When’s that boy back stateside?”

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