Page 56 of Defending What is Mine

“Your texts tell a slightly different story.”

Gabe chuckles to himself. “If you couldn’t tell the first one was a joke, then you’re in for a world of trouble. It’s my job to give you shit. The bad mood…well, that was true, but not because of you.” His eyes dart up as he reflects on his words. “Well actually, I guess it is still because of you…technically. But not in the way you’re probably thinking.”

I run a hand through my hair, still amazed by the feeling of finally having a little length up there. “That definitely makes me feel better about the situation.” I widen my eyes in case my sarcasm wasn’t clear through my words alone. “Listen man, Sam was planning to do it, but Vanessa’s in the spring play, and the performance is today. I didn’t want her to miss that just to give me a ride. You know?”

Gabe rolls his eyes and jerks his neck toward the exits. “Come on, there’ll be plenty of time to explain on the drive home.”

Neither of us speak again on the walk to his truck. Or for the first several minutes after we get on the highway. Or for several more minutes after I impatiently clear my throat, hoping to get him to spill. Finally, annoyed that he’s apparently forgotten the topic, I break the silence. “So what’s your problem?”

Without playing coy and asking me what I’m talking about, or feigning ignorance, Gabe starts slowly shaking his head. “Listen little brother, you’re really gonna want to take my advice on this one. Don’t, under any circumstances, go home.”

Utterly confused, I look around the cab. “Isn’t that what we’re doing right now? Kinda feels like you’re hitting me with that ‘advice’ a little too late to do any good.”

“Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

I close my eyes and try to decipher what he just said but come up short with anything that makes sense, so I decide to push my luck. “So, what’s that got to do with your bad mood?”

Gabe turns his attention to me as he answers. “It’s Mom. I swear she’s off her meds or something man. She’s been acting a little crazy since you told her you were getting released to come home. You know, at first it was all about cleaning the house and making it ready for you, but then she got on this kick about accessibility, and making changes to the house so you wouldn’t have problems getting around. I mean like, real changes. Like she wanted to know how long it would take me to put in a bigger door for the bathroom.” Gabe rolls his eyes. “Accessible…what the hell? You aren’t even using a cane. But then…this last week…? Man, she’s been unbearable. She wants Chet and Hank and me to sign up for days where we’re going to make ourselves available to you. Literally sign up. Like, on a sheet of paper on her fridge.” He scoffs. “No offense little brother but come on. What the hell do you need a man servant for?”

I nod. “Yeah, at least on that we agree.”

Judging by the fact that Gabe doesn’t slow down to acknowledge my comment (he and I agree about as often as he and Chet do), coupled by the fact that he practically cut me off to continue his rant, I’m not convinced he heard me.

“Look at you. Managed to get yourself all the way here from the east coast without any coddling.” In truth, he’s so spun up right now, I’m not sure he’s even present in the truck at the moment. I think he might be stuck in an argument he and our mother had earlier this morning. “Listen, you understand what I’m trying to say, right? I mean, if you need help with something, hell with anything”—Gabe raises both hands off the steering wheel, turning his palms up as he speaks—“Of course I’ll be there. Whatever you need, bro.”

I don’t know if I understand what he’s trying to say, but he seems to be working something out for himself and the last thing I want to do is interrupt, so I just nod along and let him vent.

“The nerve of that woman sometimes. I’m a grown ass man. I’ve got a wife and a child of my own, ya know. You remember Gabby, don’t you Mom? She’s the one with the pumpkin seat you used to plunk down on the counter next to you while you baked. Remember? You’ve only done it since she was about three minutes old…”

Finally, after several additional minutes of rambling, I interrupt to ask a question I can’t answer myself. “So, if staying with Mom is such a bad idea, what do you suggest? I’d head up to the cabin, but I need to stay close enough to civilization to keep up with my physical therapy. And staying with you or Chet seems like it’s just going to cause more tension between you and Mom. I mean, it’s a fairly big piece of land, but it’s not like the houses are all that far apart.”

Gabe cocks his head to the side and looks at me. “Uh, no. I definitely do not think staying with me does anything to help me…or you.”

“Well then what’s your plan, Kemosabe?”

Gabe smiles and turns his focus back to the highway. “Hank.”

Hesitantly, I nod along. “And what about Mom? She won’t be happy.”

“Don’t worry, little brother. This one can be on me.” Gabe clears his throat and mumbles to himself, “I’m already on her shit list as it is.”

“Alright. But we need to make a detour first, I need to see about a girl.”

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