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“I’m sorry,” Ryan cried, his words coming through bursts of tears. “I loved your brother, I truly did. I just didn’t deserve him. I wanted him to have better than me.”
“He didn’t want better than you, Ryan. He wanted you, just as I want your sister. When it comes to love, there is no better or worse person.”
“What?” he asked through hiccups, trying to stop his tears.
“Yes, I love your sister just that she loves me. My brother loved you and you said you loved him too. What more did you want?”
The man who had been watching silently stood and walked out. Ryan went after him and there was an argument in the yard. They squabbled for about ten minutes before Ryan returned, his countenance dejected.
“He’s gone. I shouldn’t have brought him here,” he mumbled.
“No, you shouldn’t,” Neo voiced.
“I didn’t know you would be here Neo.”
“It doesn’t matter, but you bringing home a man to your sister, a man you are not serious about, is inconsiderate.”
“I was hoping we could get serious.”
“Do you love him?” Neo demanded, his tone like a father. Ryan looked away, fidgeting with his feet. “Do you?”
He kept his head down, answering in a quiet manner. “No I don’t love him.”
“So you’re just using him for money … to get ahead?”
Ryan did not reply. I could see the embarrassment that swept over him. I stepped between them and tried to diffuse the situation. “Stop now. Stop arguing now please.”
Neo stepped away and walked through the door. I took Ryan’s hand and sat on the sofa. His hands were shaking, and the crying started again.
“I’m sorry Sis. I didn’t mean to hurt Nino. I just thought that maybe he could do better than me.”
“I love you Ryan, but Neo is hurting. He lost his only brother suddenly, who was murdered in the streets of Italy after leaving Jamaica, because he was hurt by you. And you are partially responsible for that. But you are my brother, and I will always protect you. Nevertheless, I love Neo and I do not want to lose him. So, you and Neo better work out your differences or I’m leaving Jamaica, and no one will be able to find me.”
“What the fuck are you talking about, woman?” Neo’s voice thundered. He’d never raised his voice to me before. I jumped. “What did you say.”
“I …,” my mind went blank, so I said the first thing that popped in. “Nothing. Just go make me something to eat.”
“You better watch that mouth of yours and stop talking nonsense.” Neo pointed a finger at me before heading to the kitchen.
I nudged Ryan. “Go help Neo.”
“I don't need his help,” I heard from the kitchen.
“Yes, you do.” I prodded my brother. “Go on, help him make me a sandwich.”
There was no argument coming from the kitchen, and for that I was thankful. I didn’t want to have to threaten them for them to behave. But that was the only thing that I could think of saying at that moment. I knew neither of them could bear it if I left and I was keeping that option open for now.
The tension in the house was palpable, and it was making me uncomfortable. To make the situation better, I called a family meeting with Papa Robert, Karen, Neo, and Ryan. I told them that I was not fully recovered, and I needed a happy environment. Neo and Ryan were not making that possible for me.
The look on both their faces told me that they felt guilty about what transpired. I made the both of them promise in front of Papa and Karen to work out their differences, to get to know each other and maybe, they would like each other just a little bit.
I knew that was a long shot, but it was the only thing I had, except for threatening them to leave. If this didn’t work, I would pack my bags and run away somewhere until they worked out.
As the days went by, I could see them struggle to get along. I did nothing to help them along as this was their battle. Uncle took it upon himself to invite both of them out for a boy's day. That gave me the house to myself where I could relax and enjoy some reading.
When they came back, I could see some changes in their demeanor. Uncle was smiling from ear to ear, my brother, and the man I loved were silent but not tense.
Over the next few weeks while Ryan was there, they worked hard to get along, even going out together alone. By the time Ryan was to return to Montego Bay where he resided, he and Neo’s relationship got better. They were not yet the brothers that I wanted them to be, but they shook hands and smiled at each other when Ryan departed. That was much better than I expected. I relaxed now that I had my brother and my man getting along. I couldn’t ask for more.
