Sweet Dandelion

I itch to stand on my tiptoes and kiss him, but I know I can’t. It kills me a little inside. But having him hold me eases some of the ache that’s filled my body today since I found out the news.

I decide, since he came here and all, to share some of my thoughts. It’s a thank you without using those two words.

“Hearing what happened today reminded me so much of that day. How a day can start off so normal and suddenly become something else entirely. It’s a shattering of naivety and even though I lived through that, I’ve become comfortable here.” His hands flex at my sides. “This was a reminder that comfort is an illusion. Any moment can be your last.”

“You’re allowed to feel comfortable, Dani.” His voice rumbles against me.

“Doesn’t seem that way.” I let out a humorless laugh. “I hate that all those people at that school had their naivety taken from them too. Sometimes it’s better to remain in the dark.”

I tilt my head, looking up at him. My words remind me of what he said. He must be thinking the same thing because his eyes look sadly down on me.

“You’re a strong person, Dani. I hope you know that.”

His words mean a lot, but I shake my head. “I’m really not.”

“Believe me, you are.” He presses his lips tenderly to my forehead. “I need to go,” he whispers in a pained voice.

“I know.”

But I hold him and he holds me and neither of us lets go.

The opening and closing of the door hours later rouses me from a deep nap on the couch. Buried beneath a pile of blankets I sit up, rubbing my tired eyes.

“Hey,” I croak in a sleep-filled voice. “What time is it?”

“Eight,” he grumbles, his fingers making quick work on the buttons of his pea coat. “The boss forced me to stay later for having to leave.”

My jaw drops. “You’re joking.”

“Wish I was.” He rubs his jaw. “What’s that smell? Is something on fire?” He starts looking around for the source of the smell.

“I burned popcorn earlier.”

He cracks a grin. “Gotta take it out before the microwave finishes, D.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know. What’s up with your boss? I thought they were cool when you had to take off to come be with me in the hospital?”

“I thought so too.” His sigh ripples out of him and he starts unbuttoning his shirt. “Apparently they’re giving me hell for it now.”

Pushing the blankets off of me, I plead with him again. “Sage, please quit. You can find something better than this. You’re smart, a valuable asset. Any company would be lucky to have you. You don’t have to put up with this shit.”

“It’s a job,” he retorts. “It is what it is.”

“Yeah, a job you spend the majority of your time at. One that makes you miserable. How is that fair?”

“I’m not going to keep having this argument with you,” he warns, pointing at me. “I’m fine.”

“Whatever.” I blow out a breath, not in the mood to get a headache arguing with him. Besides, I missed him and I’m glad he’s home. “I haven’t eaten. Should I order something?”

He rubs his lips. “Go for it. I haven’t eaten either.”

I watch him walk down the hall.

Is he not sick of this monotony? He goes to work, hates it, comes home, showers, orders food, wash, rinse, and fucking repeat.

I love my brother and he deserves more than this.

Placing an order, I hear the shower turn on.