Page 104 of Bronx

“Nice.”

“We’re about to order lunch, but you should come out and say hello to everyone. They’d love to see you and, of course, I love to show you off.”

I tower over my Mother at six feet, three inches, but I’ll always be her baby. I’m the youngest of her brood, the twin baby boy born seven seconds after Bronx. I give her a tight squeeze, practically lifting her off her feet.

“Order me a Jack and Coke, Ma. I’ll sit with y’all for a while.”

She glances at all the tech on my desk.

“I don’t want to keep you from your work.”

“Work can wait. It’s not often I get to hang out with my beautiful Mother and my aunties.”

Her face lights up.

With Knox and Gigi hunkered down in their new couple's love nest and Bronx missing in action most of the time, I’m the one kid that my parents can depend on. So if it makes her happy to have me sit with her for a while over appetizers and drinks, I’ll do it. I rather hang with her than half of the people I know, anyway.

“Okay, baby, we’re over in the corner booth. Take your time. We’re going to get your Aunt Adriana frackin’ drunk if it kills us,” she giggles. “Moms deserve a night off, too.”

“Especially mine.” I kiss her forehead. “Just give me a second to finish this up and I’ll be over.”

“Perfect.”

She gives me a quick peck on the cheek and leaves the office. I take a seat back at my desk where I have a three screen set up, including two oversized computer monitors and a laptop so that I can work on multiple projects at once. I put my two monitors to sleep, but then take a second glance at an incoming email that comes through an email address that I only use for ordering junk online. It catches my attention, though, because this isn’t a promotional email, it’s personal.

* * *

To: Seven Masterson

From: Kevin Deck

Re: Hello

* * *

Hey Seven,

I got your email address from the school’s alumni directory and thought I’d reach out. I’m doing well and live in Phoenix where I work in Human Resources at a hospital. We’ll have to get a drink the next time I’m in town. It’s been a while.

The reason for my letter is my sister is moving back to the area and will be staying at our old house near Drexel University. My parents retired to Florida, but have been renting it over the last few years to students.

I know that the news only likes to report shootings and robberies for ratings, but the recent murders in Philly have made me a little worried and it’s been a long time since Sasha’s lived there. I know this is a huge ask, but if you could keep an eye out for her, I’d appreciate it.

She’ll touch down in Philly next Thursday and will be moving right in the house that day. Here’s her cell number so you can reach out: 215-888-5466.

Best,

Kevin

* * *

I double click on the message to make it bigger and read it again, because I can’t actually believe what it says.

Kevin is the younger brother of Sasha Deck, the only woman I ever gave my heart to and the sole person to crush it.

Sasha’s parents never made it easy for us to be together. They didn’t care that my parents probably made enough money to buy and sell them twice over. They were old school. They were both accomplished surgeons and believed in good pedigrees and long lineages, and they certainly didn’t want their only daughter dating the son of a man who made his fortune dubiously. Never mind that America was built on questionable fortunes since… forever.

My eyes are like two little dry balls of sand after I read it a third time.