Page 195 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

“Ody, you know what? I’d really fucking like you to take my side for once,” he said, quieter now.

“I am on your side, baby.” He rubbed his forehead, eyes closing. “I’d feel the same. But if you were me… wouldn’t you be telling me the same thing?”

A breath came through the line. “I don’t know.”

“Come home. We’ll talk.”

“I’ll come when he’s gone.”

The line went dead.

Ody stayed there for a moment, then exhaled, staring at his reflection. When he stepped out, the living room was empty. He headed to the bedroom and found Nick looking around. “Do you need something?”

Nick shook his head. “Just… wanted to see how he lives.”

Ody looked away. “Nick… I’m really sorry, but… Mano wants you to leave.”

Nick gave a small, tired smile. “It’s okay. I get it.” He stepped past him. “Thanks… for telling me all that.”

“Sure.”

After Nick left, Ody called Mano. Ten minutes later, he was back.

“What did he say to you?” he asked the second he stepped inside, anger already in his voice.

“Nothing. Same stuff he told you.”

“Did you tell him not to come back?”

“It’s not my place to say that.”

“But what he does is fine, huh?” His tone sharpened. “Showing up at my house uninvited? You were right there when I begged him to leave me alone!”

“You’re right, baby. Just… calm down,” Ody said as he stepped closer, gently cupping his face. “Come on. Let’s sit.” He slipped his hand into his and led him to the couch.

“I’m going to start looking for another place,” Mano said as soon as he sat down.

Ody frowned. “What do you mean?”

“I’m moving out. I’m done with him showing up whenever he wants.”

“Mano, that’s extreme. He’s your brother.”

“I don’t give a shit what he is!” Mano snapped, loud enough to make Ody flinch.

Silence settled between them.

Ody let out a slow breath. “Just… try to think about him too.” His voice softened, but didn’t lose its weight. “He lost his parents at fifteen. You went to your aunt, but he had to take care of everything. Of you. Of himself.”

He gave him a moment to take it in. “Three years later, he broke. He wanted out. He wanted the pain to stop. That’s why he left.” The words came faster, heavier. “He didn’t know what would happen after. He didn’t know you were alone. That you had no one. That you were getting beaten. Threatened. He didn’t know you’d end up in the hospital… I’m not saying he was right,” he added, quieter this time. “But he didn’t leave knowing any of that. And now he lives with it every single day.” He paused, his expression softening. “Stop punishing him.”

Mano didn’t respond.

Ody held his gaze a second longer, like he was weighing whether to push further. “You’re doing the same thing to yourself.”

Mano’s gaze went cold. “What am I doing to myself?”

“Thirteen years later, you’re still blaming yourself for their deaths. What could you have done, Mano? You were ten. They were killed by robbers. What were you supposed to do?”