Page 82 of Don’t Be A Stranger

Dae scratches the back of his neck. His chuckle comes out awkward, strange, and unlike his usual composed demeanor. “Yeah, sorry if that’s a little weird.”

“Why didn’t you just call? Or text?”

Dae looks at me as if I’ve grown a second head. “I didn’t think you wanted me to. I thought you saw me as a stranger.”

I can’t help but laugh. “Well, yeah ’cause you never call.”

I guess I could’ve tried harder too, but I genuinely thought that he’d want nothing to do with me. The only reason I figured Bora wanted me around was because she’s only five years older than me, so we grew up together.

Bora smiles. “Sometimes Dae never shuts up about you.” Her voice drops to mimic Dae’s deep tone. “How’s our baby brother? Should I call him? Do you think he wants to talk, Bora?”

Dae sighs and shakes his head. He mumbles something in Korean that I can’t really catch over the noise in the restaurant.

“We should talk more,” I finally say and who knew it could be this easy?

“Yeah.” The corner of Dae’s mouth tugs up. “We should.”

“Thank god.” Bora opens her menu back up. “I’ve been tired of playing the middleman between you two idiots. Now let’s eat because I’m starving.” Bora pats her stomach and the weight on my chest eases a bit.

***

The Indian restaurant we’re at sits across the street from Declan’s Art Boutique and I’ve tried not to stare at it, but my brother and sister have noticed.

“Is there anything good in there?” Dae asks.

“No.” I’m quick to answer and stare back down at my half-eaten butter chicken, which I have to admit is far better than Summer’s and mine. “It’s just where smaller artists sell their art.”

That alone wouldn’t normally be equivalent to “nothing good” but I don’t need them asking to go in there. It’s just one more memory of Summer I don’t need right now. Declan’s Art Boutique is almost a symbol of yet another thing I’ve failed at.

“Bora told me that you still do that,” Dae says.

Bora flicks Dae’s hand. “River is an artist.”

Oh…I wouldn’t call myself that.

“You know, I still have a picture you drew for me when you were little.” Dae chuckles. “You told me it was the three of us on a spaceship.”

Wow, even as a little kid I never included my parents. It’s like I knew that they would be a missing piece in my life.

“We should go in.” Bora is already pulling out her wallet but Dae is trying to beat her to the punch. I’m taking full advantage of being the little brother because I keep my wallet safely in my pocket.

“I don’t think you guys would like it,” I say for no reason other than I’m not sure I can go in there without thinking of Summer.

Bora gasps. “You don’t think we can appreciate art?”

“I didn’t say that—”

Dae interrupts, casually taking Bora’s debit card from the top of the receipt and leaving his own in place. “I’ve been looking for some things for my apartment anyway.”

“Still? You’ve been in Korea for how long?” Bora arches her eyebrow.

“I just haven’t had time. It’s not a big deal,” Dae explains.

“Alright then!” Bora slams her hands on the table, earning us a few glares. “It’s settled. We’re going in.”

It’s times like these that I remember I’m the youngest here and apparently I have no say on what we do or where we go, because after Dae pays for our food—after some more back-and-forth with Bora—the three of us are in Declan’s Art Boutique.

The same cashier is sitting on a barstool behind the register. She waves and asks if we need any help.