Page 35 of Don't Love the Boy Next Door
The fact that he’s on board with it makes me feel relieved. No matter how old I get, I’ll always feel like the little kid wishing for his dad’s approval. “It’s actually really fun,” I say. “I didn’t realize how hard work it is.”
“You know what I always say. If you don’t work hard, you’re doing something wrong.”
“Yeah.”
Silence.
“How’s your mother doing?” he asks after a few seconds.
I lower my eyes to my desk. “She’s good. Works hard.”
“Sounds like your mom,” he says with a laugh. “She’s the most dedicated person I know.”
I play around with a paperclip. “She wouldn’t have to work so hard if you’d send us some cash, Dad.”
“Right. I’ve been meaning to send over some money. Thanks for reminding me, kid. I’ll get on that right away.”
“Thanks.”
“Is your brother around?”
“Yeah. He’s in his room.”
“Call him over here so I can see if he’s grown as handsome as you.”
I laugh. “Okay. Be right back.”
I walk down the hallway and find Ethan sitting at his computer with his headphones. Looks like he’s playing a game.
“Dad’s on video chat, Ethan,” I tell him.
“Good for him,” he mumbles as he slays a zombie. He keeps his eyes on the screen, not turning around to face me.
I lean against the doorframe. “He wants to talk to you.”
“I’m unavailable.”
I release a huff. “Ethan, Dad finally called. Don’t you want to talk to him?”
“No. And you shouldn’t speak to him, either.”
I step into the room and lower myself on his bed. “I get you’re upset with him. But he’s doing his best.”
He finally pries his eyes off the screen and swivels around to look at me. “You call that doing his best? Barely calling us, not sending any money—”
“He just told me he’ll send some cash as soon as he can—”
“Not bothering to show up to my football games or our gigs—”
“He’s in Oklahoma.”
“And then he calls like everything’s great and perfect? You serious, man? Don’t you get that he doesn’t care about us? He calls us whenever it’s convenient for him. He became a dad the day we were born, and he got a lot of responsibilities. He can’t just check out on us whenever he feels like it.”
“Iknow,” I say. “I’m upset with him, too. But we’ve got to cut him some slack. He’s not going to change, and if you continue like this, you’ll have no relationship with him.”
He unpauses his game and positions his fingers over the mouse and keyboard. “Don’t give a crap.”
I just sit there staring at him, refusing to accept his words. He’s my twin and I get him better than anyone else. I know he didn’t mean what he said. He wants to have a relationship with our dad. He wants him to be part of his life.
