“Oh, I love that book! When I was little and we were living in New York, I wanted to run away to the woods and live far from any people. Maybe that’s why I’m so comfortable here. It’s my dream come true.”
“Except I’m here,” I said, trying to tease him a little.
He smiled at me. “That’s what makes it a dream. Now close your eyes. I’ll be back in a few.”
After he left, I snuggled in deeper. I heard him in the kitchen, and when I called out to ask what he was doing, he simply said he’d be in shortly. A few minutes later, I could hear the thump of his crutch as he crossed the floor, and then he appeared at the door, with two mugs in his hand and the book tucked under his arm.
“I made us some hot cocoa,” he said, placing the mugs on the nightstand. He went around to the other side of the bed and lay atop it. I handed him his cup, and he put it aside. He opened the book and began to read. It was totally different from when I read the book myself. Charlie’s voice was deep and his dulcet tones made hearing the story a whole new experience. The problem was, I fell asleep before he reached the third page.
CHARLIE WASstill sleeping when I woke up at five. The book was open on his chest, and some of the pages had fluttered to the floor. I picked them up and bound them with the rubber band again. I looked at Charlie, his face so placid. My heart thumped a little harder when I remembered his words of love. I wanted to wake him, ask him to say them again, but he needed his rest, so I left him in the bedroom while I went to start the coffee.
As the machine bubbled away, I pulled out my phone and scrolled through the contacts until I found Clay. I dialed his number and waited for him to answer. After four rings, I started to wonder if he was going to ignore my call.
“Bowers,” he groaned into the phone. “This better be good, because I have a gun and I’m not afraid to use it.”
“Did I wake you?”
“Matt?” he asked, his voice a lot more alert.
“Hey. I’m sorry if I disturbed you.”
“No, it’s fine. Late night. One of the guys called out, so I pulled an extra shift. Just got to bed an hour or so ago.”
“Oh. I can call back later.”
“Don’t hang up,” he pleaded. “Please. I’m sorry, Matt. I had no business acting the way I did.”
“No, you didn’t. But I understand. Can I ask you a question?”
“Ask me anything you want.”
I poured the first cup of coffee, the rich aroma filling my nose. I leaned up against the counter, mug in hand, trying to think of the best way to phrase what was going through my head. “Do you love me?”
He snorted. “That’s a stupid question, and I think you know it. You’re my brother—how could I not?”
“It’s easy, believe me.”
I heard him shuffling around on the other end. “Yes, I love you. Is that the only reason you called?”
The coffee was smooth and warmed my insides as I took a sip. “No. I… I need to talk to you. Can you come over today?”
He didn’t say anything for a few moments. “Seriously?”
“Yes. We need to talk.”
“Okay, yes. I can leave now if you’re staying up.”
Charlie was still sleeping, but I figured it was fine. “When you wake up.”
“Trust me, I won’t be able to go back to sleep now. I’m awake. I’ll be there within the hour.”
“Okay.” Then I figured I’d best break the news to him while he was on the phone, just in case he changed his mind. I didn’t want him and Charlie getting into a fight. “Charlie’s here.”
He took a quick intake of breath. “Are you okay with that?”
“Yes. I… I need him. I know it won’t make any sense to you, but—”
“He’s part of your world? I get it. Why do you think I told him he had to go slow? You needed to accept him as someone you were seeing every day so he’d be ingrained in your mind. I remember all the things that happened when we were kids and either Mom or I would bring something new into the house. I watched your reactions and did my best to make things easy on you. I do pay attention, you know.”
