Page 11 of The Alternate Captain
Kelly
It depends. Do you still have all your hair?
John
Ha. Ha. Yes. I do. And I’m confident that male pattern baldness does not run in my family.
Kelly
I think it runs in mine. My brother is definitely thinning on top.
John
Just the one brother?
Kelly
Now, yes. I had an older brother who died when he was my age. And I have a sister who’s 3 years older than me.
John
I’m really sorry for your loss. That must have been difficult for you all.
Kelly
It wasn’t great. My parents are still convinced that he could have survived. He went on a night out with some friends and fell over drunk in a bar. He whacked his head on the way down and the group of boys he was with just thought he was sleeping and left him outside of his flat.
I didn’t really understand what was going on at the time, but then when it clicked that he wasn’t ever coming home, I just felt this sadness settle that never properly left. I think that’s why I latched on to my other brother so much.
Sorry. You don’t need my pity story.
John
Honestly, don’t apologise. I’m glad that you feel comfortable enough to talk to me. I am really sorry that your family went through that.
Kelly
Thanks, John. Do you have any siblings?
John
One sister. She’s a year younger than me and we’re probably more alike than we care to admit. Though she’s much more outgoing than me. We get on most of the time.
Kelly
It’s difficult being the youngest. You should cut her some slack.
John
Trust me. She’s hard work.
Kelly
Sounds like my sister, actually. My brother and I sort of feel sorry for her boyfriend, even if he is a complete prick.
John
You know, some men like a woman to take charge.
