Page 123 of My Family

"Some families can't be fixed," my dad says quietly.

I know he's thinking about himself and my mom.

Ethan returns with Tyler a few minutes later.

Tyler's eyes are red, but he's walking more steadily now. Ethan has a hand on his brother's shoulder, guiding him back toward us.

Marie stands and pulls both boys into a hug.

"I'm so sorry," she whispers again.

Ethan hugs her back.

"I know you meant well, Auntie," he says quietly. "But please don't do that again."

Marie pulls back immediately, her eyes wet.

"I won't. I promise."

"It's okay," Ethan says.

And I can tell he means that part too.

He forgives her. Because that’s what my Daddy does. He’s good to people.

"I made your favorite cookies," she says, pulling a container from her massive purse. "Chocolate chip with the little bits of toffee."

And just like that, she's piling food onto their plates, fussing over them, trying to make up for the pain with calories and love.

It's what good moms do, I guess, or aunts like Marie. We eat the cookies and talk, momentarily forgetting what happened. For a second, things look normal again.

I look over Marie's shoulder, and that's when I spot him.

Miles.

He's standing near one of the condiment tables, shoulders hunched, hands shoved deep into his pockets.

Vikki is next to him, her purple hair catching the sunlight. She's wearing black jeans and a tailored button-up that somehow makes her look both professional and like she's about to front a punk band.

I nudge Ethan, nodding in their direction.

"Miles," I whisper.

Ethan follows my gaze, and something passes between us without words.

The realization is mutual.

Miles doesn't have anyone.

No mother, no father, no aunt, no siblings.

Just Vikki.

"Come on," I say to my dad. "There's someone else I want you to meet."

Ethan comes with us as we walk across the yard toward Miles and Vikki.

Miles sees us coming, and his posture shifts. His spine straightens, his eyes darting from me to Ethan to my dad and back again.