Page 33 of Comeback
Besides, I saw what it was like for him. Even as a kid I wanted to shield him from that. The same way he protected me when I lost my hearing.
“It’s a really great thing you did for him, giving him a place to stay and a family.”
I lift one shoulder in a shrug. It never felt like I was extending him some courtesy. “I just did what he would have done for me.”
She nods slowly and then covers a small yawn.
“Are you tired?” I ask. Of course she is, it’s the middle of the night.
“Asthma attacks always leave me feeling like I could sleep for days but wired too. I usually recover by binge-watching TV, but it’s been a while since I had one in the middle of the night.”
“We could watch something if you want,” I offer.
“Do you usually stay up this late the night before a game?”
“No,” I admit. “But I told you, there’s no way I’m going to be able to sleep now.”
“I’m really sorry.”
“Stop apologizing.”
She nods. “So…Total Recall? Unless you want to watch something else.”
“No. That sounds great.” I pull it up on my laptop and we move up to the top of the bed with our backs resting against the headboard and the computer between us. I feel like I was the one who had an attack with the way my adrenaline is crashing.
I’m tired but fidgety and all too aware of every move, every breath she takes.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” I ask when I spot her inhaler still in her hand like she might be fixing to use it again.
“Yeah.” She sets it aside.
I don’t know if that makes me feel better or worse.
“Are you good with subtitles on?” I ask, hoping the movie calms down my nerves as much as hers.
“Yeah, of course.”
I’m grateful for the small accommodation. It saves me from turning it up so loud she’ll be running out of here.
It’s clear from the start of the movie that Sabrina is a person who talks through movies just like her brother. It’s reassuring in some ways and less awkward than sitting side by side on my bed in silence. And before long, I’m not thinking about her having another attack and instead enjoying her company.
She asks me my favorite movies, actors, TV shows; we even get into celebrity crushes. An hour into the movie, I’ve completely stopped watching the screen.
“My mom has a real thing for Keanu Reeves,” Sabrina says after we somehow get on the topic of favorite action movies. “I didn’t even know he did romantic comedies until I stumbled ontoThe Lake House.”
“Sandra Bullock.” I nod. “Saw that one.”
“You watchedThe Lake House?” she asks, clearly struggling to believe I would watch something that sappy.
“Oh yeah. I’ve seen everything Keanu. Did you see him inThe Replacements?”
“No. Never heard of it.”
My jaw drops open. “You’re kidding me?”
“Nooo,” she drags out the word. “What’s it about?”
“Oh my gosh. It’s only one of the greatest football movies ever.” I sit forward, angling my body to face her, completely abandoning the screen.
