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Jonathan pushed the heel of his hand into one of his eye sockets. “I’m just so worried all the time about Mom and Sadie and the triplets.”
“You don’t have to worry about that anymore.”
“Don’t tell me what I can and can’t worry about — it’s my family.” His other hand found his other eye, and I realized he was trying not to cry.
“It’s my family too,” I said quietly.
“They deserve better than what they have,” he said, his voice muffled. “Mom deserves to rest. She deserves a nice house and retirement money and not to worry about bills. She shouldn’t have to raise her grandchildren. I’ve been so mad at Sadie.”
“Mamachka doesn’t have to worry about bills anymore,” I said. “I’ve paid off the mortgage on the house. Made a fund for property taxes. If she wants to tear everything down and build something new, she can do that. And if she wants to replace every board and tile and shingle and fleck of paint in that place and make it exactly the same but better, she can do that too.” I hesitated. “I haven’t told her yet. Or Sadie.”
“You can’t just waltz into town and buy our love, Misha.”
“I’m just trying to repay what was given to me,” I said. “I’m doing it the only way I know how. If you’ll let me.” I tapped on my phone. “Actually, Mamachka’s new truck should be arriving any day now. Haven’t told her about that either.”
“She deserves the best.”
“And she’s going to get that.”
“Sadie deserves the best too.” Jonathan’s shoulders sagged, and he let his hands drop to his lap. “I guess if it had to be someone, I’m glad it was you.”
I punched his arm lightly. “Shitty way to officially welcome me to the family.”
“You were always a part of the family.”
I didn’t have anything to say to that. I wouldn’t have trusted my voice even if I could speak.
“You’re going to make this right,” Jonathan told me finally.
“Yes, I am. That’s what I’m trying to do.”
He cut his eyes at me. “Gave you a black eye, bastard.”
“You sucker punched me. First and last time, bratan.” He didn’t correct me at the term of endearment. “Now. Do you think you can help me convince your twin to talk to me again?”
