Page 120 of A Moment In Time

He went to the grill and flipped the burgers. “I’m not sure if I should be the one to tell you.”

She took a few steps toward Remington. “Please. I’m worried about him.”

Becca came into the kitchen. “How are those burgers coming?”

Remington glanced at her. “You can get the plates ready.”

Becca prepared the plates with buns, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and onions, then Remington put the patties on them. He added fries, then waited until Becca left.

He was caught up on the orders, and he moved away from the grill. “However he treated you this morning. I hope you can forgive him.”

“Of course. Like I said, I’m just worried.”

Remington took a breath. “Today is his birthday.”

Sydney had asked Gage a time or two when his birthday was, but he always brushed her off without telling her. She shook her head. “Why would that put him in such a foul mood?”

He motioned toward the rear door. “Come out back with me.”

She followed him outside. “Now I’m really confused.”

Remington took a moment before going on. “Gage had a twin brother.”

“What? What happened to him?”

“He died when they were seven. He drowned in the Southfork.”

Sydney put a hand to her mouth. “Oh, my God.”

“It’s kind of a touchy subject with the family. And we never talk about Seth around Gage.”

“So his birthday…?”

“Reminds him of his brother. We never celebrate it.”

“He’s never celebrated his birthday?”

“Not since he was seven.”

Sydney sat on an overturned milk crate. “So, where did he go today?”

“He probably went home, packed up a backpack, and took off down the creek.”

“For how long?”

“Overnight. But you probably shouldn’t expect him in the office tomorrow. He usually brings a bottle of bourbon with him.”

Sydney thought back over the last few years. Gage rarely missed work. But now that she thought about it, he always missed a day or two in the spring. She just never thought about it being the same days every year.

She looked up at Remington. “There’s nothing I can do?”

Remington shook his head. “I’d just steer clear. Give him some space. He’ll be back to himself by Monday.”

“What do your parents think about the no birthday thing?”

“They respect his wishes. For the first few years they tried to talk him into celebrating. But after a while, they let it go. We all commemorate Seth in our own way.”

She was still trying to process the information., “Was Gage there when it happened?”

---