Page 39 of Crazy for You

Ryan wasn’t so sure about that. Sure, the kid had a passion and talent for DJ’ing, but was that really a viable career? Seemed more like something someone might do for a few years until a real job came along. And that was fine, as long as he got his education so that he’d have it to fall back on.

Emma gave Trent a big hug before she headed back to the flowers she’d been planting when Ryan had come out and interrupted her.

“You did great last night,” Ryan said. “Made me real proud.”

“Thanks.” Trent ducked his head.

“I thought maybe you and I could work together on the ropes course today.”

“Keeping an eye on me?”

“Nah.” Not entirely anyway. “Just thought we could spend some time together.”

“Okay. Cool.”

“I need to test out all the connections before we open the course for spring and summer activities,” Ryan said as he led the way down the path.

“So who uses it?” Trent asked.

“Companies can do team-building exercises or groups can rent it for a party or event, but one of us has to be there leading the exercises and supervising. It’s not open for free play, ’cept for us, of course.” He winked, and Trent grinned.

“It’s fun being here, working outside. Never did much of that in St. Louis.”

“You live in the city?”

“Suburbs.”

“Play any sports?” Ryan asked.

“Does the Wii count?”

Ryan laughed as he shook his head. He and his brother had almost nothing in common. Didn’t matter, though. “I thought we could start on the tires and work our way around the course.”

“Okay. What am I looking for?”

Ryan showed him how to spot structural wear on the tires and on the ropes supporting them. He and Trent sat side by side on tires, swinging slightly as they felt along the ropes for any signs of decay or wear.

“Did you know your dad? Or mine?” Trent asked suddenly as he examined the rope overhead.

“No. Mom went out with a lot of guys. I’m not sure if she even knew.”

“Oh.” Trent shrugged. “I kind of wonder sometimes, you know, about my heritage. My adoptive parents are white, so…”

Ryan had wondered, too. “I’ve tried to remember seeing Mom with an Asian man, but I don’t. She was… Well, you’re probably lucky you don’t remember her.”

Trent kept his eyes on the rope. “What was she like?”

Ryan took a deep breath. “She loved us. I mean, she was never abusive or anything like that. But the drugs, the alcohol…it took a toll. She was always looking for her next fix. She just couldn’t break free of the cycle.”

“Did she try? You know, for us?” Hurt gleamed in his younger brother’s eyes.

“She got clean when she was pregnant with you. I think she did try, yeah.”

Trent said nothing, staring at the ground, his jaw set.

“I was only eleven when she died,” Ryan said. “At the time, I thought she must not have cared about us at all to do the things she did. But now, you know, I guess she did the best she could.”

“But not enough.”

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