Chapter 6: Talk to Me

“Drew, I know you’re tired. But I’m worried. I need, we need, look, we’re going to be depending on you. I need to know you’re going to be able to cope, but you’re not making sense. What about Janice Rhodes? That was YEARS ago.”

His thumb and forefinger were spread as he rubbed his temples.

“She was my girlfriend for a few weeks.”

“Yeah, so?”

“That is my entire list. I’m a vir—well, you can figure it out. I’ve never even been on a real date. Leah, don’t you get it? I’m just a boy; I’m not a man.

“Suppose I met someone while playacting as a responsible adult. She says, ‘Tell me about yourself.’ ‘Well, I just finished high school, I have a minimum-wage part-time job, and I’m raising four school-aged orphan kids. I guess I could afford lunch at McDonald’s for our date, though.’ Doesn’t that sound appealing? Isn’t that my future?”

“I guess, yes, you would be turned down. You’re thinking about dating?”

“Not now, but someday. That social worker is wrong, I can’t handle this much responsibility. I don’t have the knowledge, I don’t have the resources, and I don’t have the experience. I’m going to fail, Leah. Fail you all. You and the kids need a man, not a boy. Not me.”

He trailed off, disconsolate. They sat together, side by side, on the sofa. Leah was crying silently, her tears spilling down her face.

“Drew, it’s so late. We can’t go any further now. I can’t keep talking tonight, I’m just too wiped out. But, please, it’s cold and uncomfortable out here. You can’t sleep on this crappy sofa. You’ll be a wreck in the morning. Nothing will be better if you’re out here beating yourself up and not getting enough rest.

“A few minutes ago, we said that we loved each other. So, I telling you now, in a loving way, don’t you dare stay out here sulking. Come back with me now, and we’ll talk more tomorrow.”

“I don’t know...”

“Shit! Stop being a goddamn baby. Get up, now, let’s go.”

At last, Andrew stood up and shuffled back to the master bedroom. Dully, he fumbled with his fly and took off his jeans; he kept his underwear on. She helped pull his shirt over his head and assisted him into the big bed. It seemed he fell asleep the moment his head hit the pillow.

Leah stripped down to her panties (her normal sleepwear) and crawled into the other side of the bed. With her last few calories of energy, she turned her head to watch her brother.

“I know he’s unhappy, but his sleeping face is better. He looks so calm and peaceful.”

She spoke softly, “I love you, Andrew.”

Then she was asleep as well.