Page 93 of The Other Brother

Romeo and Juliet probably thought it would all work out too.

Chapter24

The next morning, I get a message from Harvey.

hey, just to let you know, Oz’s grandmother passed away yesterday

I think about what Oz said. About how I’m good for laughs but not more serious stuff.

I flick a quick message back.

when’s the funeral?

tomorrow

Shit. I’ve arranged to spend tomorrow with Cody. Surfing if the weather is good enough. After his party and the torture of being near him but not actually getting to spend time together, I’m itching to hang out with him.

I send Harvey a message.

you going?

don’t know

I think about how I’d feel if one of my family members died. Whether I’d want my friends there. Yeah, I probably would.

think we should go. support him

Harvey’s reply comes back quickly.

ok. do you want me to pick you up?

sure

Harvey picksme up the next morning. We’re both looking uncharacteristically flash for a Sunday morning. Like we’re going to church, although the funeral is being held at the local community center because Oz’s family isn’t religious.

“Oz probably won’t even recognize us,” Harvey says as he tugs at his necktie.

“Yeah, probably not.” My neck is already itching under the stiff collar of my best shirt.

Over a hundred people sit inside the community center when we arrive. Harvey and I grab seats near the back. I spot Oz up the front with his mum, dad, and brother.

Funerals for old people are way different from funerals for younger people. The only other funeral I’ve ever been to was when I was twelve and our next-door neighbor’s son died in a motorcycle accident.

There was all this anger and grief at that funeral about how robbed Adam had been. But Oz’s nan was eighty-nine, and people share dozens of fond stories about her life with soft smiles and quiet tears.

Afterwards, we find Oz milling around the table with the food.

“Hey, man,” Harvey says quietly.

“Hey,” Oz shoves his hands in his pockets, looking between us. “Thanks for coming.”

“No problem,” I say.

“It was a really nice service,” Harvey offers.

“Yeah, thanks.” We all stare at each other. I fidget with my cuff as the silence grows. Now doesn’t seem the time for our usual messing around.

Luckily, someone else comes up to talk to Oz then.