Sam
Oh?
It’s easy to imagine him sitting up with a frown.
He’s twenty-five, two years younger than Simon and me, and is the playful and loving brother that I wish I had growing up as an only child. My mom met my dads when she was thirty-five. They had me, and even though they wanted more kids, it didn’t happen.
Me
We’re fine. No need to drop everything and come running.
Sam
I’m living in my parents’ basement. I’d come running if you dropped a tissue. Please save me.
I grin at his dry, self-deprecating sense of humor.
Sam is an insanely talented carpenter. After graduating from college, he worked for a big luxuryfurnituremanufacturer in New York, but the long hours and lack of creative freedom burned him out. He gave up his apartment and moved back in with his parents.
We’ve all suggested he start his own business—me, Simon, his parents, my parents, his friends. Despite working at a hardware store, which he hates, and taking on custom jobs, which he loves, he always finds a reason it’s a bad idea.
Me
No tissues have been dropped. And you have savings. Move out.
Sam
And do my own laundry?
I snort. At twenty-five, he should absolutely be doing his own laundry.
Me
You’re pathetic.
Sam
Yup. How’s your stomach bug?
I hesitate for the first time since we started texting.
Back in upstate New York, my body started giving me all the hallmarks of being pregnant, but all those little clues had completely passed me by.
I wasn’t looking to hug the nearest toilet like I am now, but I was a little hot, then moody, and my food tasted off. Sam thought it was mild food poisoning, and I should drink plenty of water to flush it out of my system. With the benefit of hindsight, I was as blind as I was stupid not to put two and two together.
Me
A little better.
I wince as I lie.
Sam
If you’re sick, I can fly out and take over driving.
I smile at his offer and at the fact that he’s not telling me to end the road trip early. It’s a journey he knew I’d always planned to take with Simon, and when Ben came along, it just never happened. Correction, we never made the time to, and then it was too late.
Me
