The Better Brother

“We’re gonna be late for school,” Kevin said.

“And had it not taken me ten minutes to roll you outta bed, we wouldn’t be running late. Buck up and hush.”

I picked up the phone and pinned it to my ear with my shoulder as the toast popped out of the toaster. I could feel the sweat trickling down the back of my neck. Of all the mornings for Crystal to be chatting in my ear, it had to be this one.

“What?” I asked.

“Oh, good. You’re in a shitty mood. I’ve got something that’ll make you feel better!”

“You know I love you, but do spit it out because I’m late,” I said.

“Ooh. Testy. I’m inviting you for a long weekend in New York City. My penthouse is open to you, and we really need to catch up. I haven’t seen you much since school.”

“Responsibility will do that to you, I guess.”

“How’s Kevin doing by the way?” she asked. “With everything?”

“As well as he can, I guess.”

I’d met Crystal at culinary school in New York City and we’d been attached at the hip since. Even with the distance between us now, our friendship never drifted. She came from a rich family and she’d had a wild hair up her ass to become a chef after finding her own personal obsession with cooking shows. It came as no shock when she dropped out after the first year but what was unexpected was for me to do the same. My parents died in a car crash caused by a drunk driver, and it left me as the sole caretaker of my little brother Kevin. That night changed both our lives forever.

“Rose, come on,” Kevin groaned.

“Shut up, or you’re not eating,” I said.

“Sounds about right,” Crystal said. “Anyway, you have to come see me. I’m not taking no for an answer.”

“I don’t have anyone to watch Kevin,” I said.

“Get Cassie to watch him. She’s your roommate, right? Did I get that name right?”

“Yes, you did. And yes, she is. But she isn’t my personal babysitter so I can go party in the city.”

“Rose, you never do anything for yourself. Just once, allow yourself to let go. He’ll be fine with her. He likes her, right? She’s not a dick?”

“No, Crystal,” I said. “My roommate isn’t a dick.”

I spooned eggs onto Kevin’s plate before I dropped a piece of buttered toast in front of his face. I set the pan on the table and went to go grab him a glass, pouring some milk for both of us, Rose style. What’s Rose style you might ask? The good ol’ half milk, half water strategy I use most mornings. It was just one of the many ways I stretched a dollar in our budget tight home.

The cost of living in our small community in Poconos PA wasn’t high in comparison to the Big Apple, which was about a three and half hour drive away. However, one waitressing gig didn’t exactly scream discretionary income.

“Take the time off work and come. December is the best time to spend in the city!” Crystal said. “If I have to come get you, you’re staying longer.”

“Fine. Fine. I’ll come spend a weekend or something in your bad-ass Sex

and the City penthouse.”

“Soon,” she said.

“Soon, I promise. I’ve missed you, too. Life’s just been a bit hectic.”

“We’re gonna get you away from it for a little bit,” she said. “And don’t worry about money. I’ve got it. Just get yourself here. I’ll even reimburse you for the ticket.”

“You don’t have to do that,” I said.

“Well, I am anyway. You work too hard for everyone else. You need a break. See you this weekend.”

“Wait, I didn’t say this—”