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“I don't think that we should…I think you should meet him first then you can see if you're right. I mean, he's still your brother,” she said. And Austin shook his head.
“He is my brother and he's like me. That's a problem, but I'll see him. Who knows? Maybe the years have tempered him,” he said.
“Maybe they have.”
†
Austin walked into the aquarium and wondered why Kenneth would want him to meet here, but then again the man always had a strange thing going on with him. He walked slowly, looking out for Kenneth who would probably be the biggest man there. That was one thing they shared in their family.
Austin suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder from behind. He paused then looked around to see his brother standing there with a smile on his face.
“If it isn't my little brother,” he said, despite standing four inches shorter than Austin but still big considering the fact that he was 6’8”. Kenneth looked him over then shook his head.
“Wow, you've grown. You've really grown. I mean, you've always been tall but…”
“I understand what you mean,” Austin said, feeling a sort of excitement and relief at seeing his brother again. He suddenly wanted to hug the man then decided against it.
In the dim glow of the aquarium's ethereal tanks, Austin and Kenneth navigated the labyrinth of aquatic wonders, surrounded by the mesmerizing dance of colorful fish. The air was filled with the hushed whispers of water and the distant laughter of families.
Austin, eyes fixed on a school of neon tetras, broke the strained silence. "Nice place, huh? Dad used to bring us to someplace like this, back then.”
Kenneth's gaze drifted elsewhere, avoiding eye contact. "Yeah, a long time ago. Feels so long now. I can barely remember it. He used to…he used to get us candy and popcorn. That's one hell of a nasty mixture if you ask me,” he said. Austin chuckled.
“Yeah, I suppose,” he said.
The illuminated tanks cast shifting shadows across their faces, mirroring the tension between the brothers. Kenneth hesitated, then tried to bridge the gap. "I thought we could... you know, catch up. It's been a while."
Austin’s response was a nonchalant shrug. "Life happens. We're different now."
“Are you married?” Kenneth asked Austin who shook his head.
“Nah, I'm not.”
“Won't you ask if I'm married?” Kenneth asked Austin who took a long glance at him.
“You're not,” he said. Kenneth laughed.
“I do have a daughter, though. Most beautiful girl in the world. You'd like her,” he said. Austin chuckled.
“Yeah, I know I would.”
As they strolled past the giant glass walls, a majestic sea turtle glided by, seemingly oblivious to the human drama nearby. Austin sighed, attempting to lighten the mood. "Remember when we used to compete to find the weirdest-looking fish?"
Kenneth's smile was fleeting. "Yeah, those were simpler times."
A pause hung in the air, heavy with unspoken history. Kenneth, choosing his words carefully, said, "I missed having a brother, Austin. I know I left and didn't seem to consider anyone but…it was a difficult time, and I didn't know how to handle it."
“You never did call. You didn't text. You didn't send a letter. I had to go through most of that shit alone. Do you know…” he paused then sniffed.
“Doesn't matter now, I suppose,” he said to Kenneth.
Kenneth's gaze softened.
“I made a mistake. I really did. I know I don't deserve it but I would like to ask for your forgiveness," he said.
The hypnotic sway of jellyfish in a nearby tank provided a momentary distraction. Yet, as they continued through the aquatic spectacle, the unspoken currents of their strained relationship lingered, like the underwater secrets hidden behind the glass.
“What is her name?” Austin asked.
