Page 58 of Ambiguous
He turns, startled, and looks at me, his eyes red from crying. “Sorry.”
“Hey,” I say gently, putting an arm around his shoulders. “Must you assault my literature?”
“Just looking for… for something to read.”
“And nothing here suits?” I ask lightly, stepping back and indicating the shelves full of what I think are interesting reads.
He closes the book currently in his hands and rubs his face. “You’re right. I’m upset and taking it out on inanimate objects.”
“Better those than sentient ones.” I sit on a couch. “I get it. You’re stressed. How can I help?”
Colin presses his lips together. This doesn’t surprise me. He’s never been one to share personal issues.
“What happened between you and Natalie?”
“Nothing I can’t fix.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Really?”
He begins to nod, then shakes his head. “Actually, I think this time she may have kicked me out for good.”
Natalie’s an Australian model who wants to be a supermodel. How she ended up with my prat of a brother, I have no idea.
We stare at each other until I ask, “What’s really going on?”
He heaves himself into a chair across from me and puts his head in his hands. “I lost my job, okay? Natalie found out and said I was a worthless muppet and she never wanted to see me again. She gave me a few minutes to pack me bags and sent me off.”
“That’s rough.” I tilt my head. “What happened at work?”
Colin’s been trying to be an actor. I’d thought he’d found a good project.
“They sacked me because I was late a few times.”
Translation: He was late every day.
“I was supposed to be the star, so they should’ve started when I got there.”
Translation: He had a bit part for probably a few days, and since he didn’t show up, they found someone else.
I sigh loudly. “Why do you do this to yourself, Col?”
“Do what?”
“Sabotage everything.”
“I don’t.”
He does. And he expects me to bail him out.
And I promised our mum that I always would.
“Anyway,” he says, “it’s not like you do what you’re told. It’s not fair. No one says boo to you.”
“That’s not true. I could get sued if I don’t finish this new record.”
Colin waves me off. “Yeah, like they’d do that. And besides, you’ll get it done.”
“I still have to show up and do the work.”
