Page 32 of If I See You Again

David

I felt a little strange hanging out in Malcolm’s apartment while he was absent. It still hadn’t sat well with me when he’d asked me to stay behind, but I understood where he was coming from. Hell, I’d never been that clingy with anyone in my life, so to start doing that with him was unusual.

My phone went off with a text message. I’d left it charging in the bedroom, and I got up from my spot on the couch to go see who it was.

My eyes rolled as my sister once again pestered me.

I shouldn’t have been all that surprised.

Since the day we’d left Malcolm’s parents’ house, I hadn’t bothered to message her.

Audrey: You’re still alive, right? Mom lost it when she finally realized you really weren’t coming home for the holiday, btw.

I laughed. It was funny to think that my mother was all that upset when she hadn’t bothered to reach out herself. Audrey had to sit through whatever tantrum she’d thrown, however. I felt bad about that.

Instead of answering through text, I did the unthinkable and pressed the call button. There were times when it was easier to talk things out than it was to type them.

“You called?” Audrey sounded annoyed as she answered.

“Aww, does my baby sister not want to hear the sound of my voice?”

She huffed out a laugh. “It’s not that. Who calls anymore? I mean, really, David.”

We were both laughing then, but I pressed forward. “She was actually upset?”

Audrey calmed down enough to answer the question.

“Yes, surprisingly. Right after you texted that you’d spent Thanksgiving at his parents’ place, Mom sort of realized you weren’t there.

God only knows why she didn’t notice how you were missing from the table the day before.

Then again, you know her. She’d filled up on a little too much wine.

The turkey was like leather again this year. ”

I rubbed at my temples. It wasn’t surprising to hear that Mom had been too drunk to notice, and maybe that was why she hadn’t reached out herself.

Year after year, it was the same thing. Maybe both Audrey and I needed to make a better effort to separate ourselves from the toxicity of it all.

Just because your parents birthed you and raised you, didn’t mean you were obligated to be in their lives forever.

Especially when they caused so much chaos.

“I’m sorry that I couldn’t be there, Aud. You know that I would have—”

“Don’t you dare. I’m happy for you. I’ve been begging you for years to settle down, and sure, I tease you a lot, but I’m happy you finally found someone to put in an effort with. Is he finally coming around, by the way?”

I nodded, even though she couldn’t see me. “I think so. We’ve had a great couple of days. He went to the office without me today, and after spending so much time together, it sort of feels like part of me is missing.”

“Oh gag. Now you’re getting all sappy on me. Never thought I’d see the day. David Garrison, smitten. Tell the press. North Carolina’s most eligible gay bachelor is finally off the market.”

If anything, Audrey knew how to be dramatic, but I loved her for it. She kept everything more interesting. While most siblings didn’t get along, I could count on my sister as my best friend.

“He’s very back and forth. I get where his concerns are. I’d be concerned as well. Once we close out this account, I think things will be a lot easier, and he won’t have to worry so much about it looking like he only got it because I liked him. You know?”

She hummed. “I get it. It’s sweet that you’re so worried about him.”

“You wouldn’t be? God, Aud. I just don’t want to mess anything up. You know me. I’m terrified that at any moment he’ll think none of this is worth it. He’s already got enough baggage without worrying about our family drama.”

She sighed again. “Have you told him about any of that yet?”

I rubbed at my temple some more. “Not a lot of it. Mostly that we’re not as close as his family is. I think that a big family gathering where everyone is still clearly mourning the loss of his brother is the last place to drop that bombshell.”

That’s what earned me some silence for the first time since the phone call started. I hadn’t exactly shared all the details with her about how Malcolm had lost his brother. She knew he had some hang-ups and fears about people leaving him, but I hadn’t told her everything.

“His brother died?”

“A while ago, yeah. I’m not sure how long ago, but the family is still feeling it. He had some kidney disease issues. Malcolm was a kidney donor, and he’d tried to save him, but his brother’s body rejected the organ.”

More silence stretched over the line before Audrey finally said something. “You weren’t kidding when you said this guy had some baggage.”

I chuckled. “Easy, there. I think it’s sweet that he cared so much. Most people wouldn’t do something like that. Would you give me one of your kidneys if I needed it?”

When Audrey said nothing, that was answer enough. I’d been right about what I’d said. Unless you were in that position, you didn’t really know how you’d handle things.

“I hope this all works out, bro.” That was all I got out of my sister before we finished our conversation and disconnected.

The apartment felt oddly quiet and empty now that I didn’t have a way to distract myself.

I got back up and went to the living room.

The TV was still on the news channel, talking about some accident that had happened earlier in the day.

I’d mostly tuned it out until the camera zoomed in on what was happening on the street, and that was when I saw it.

It wasn’t good. Now I just needed to figure out if what I was seeing was real.