Page 40 of Three Little Words

Benny still sounded sleepy. Had I woken him up? I didn’t know, and right now wasn’t the time to ask.

I let out a sob.

“Bryn?” He sounded a lot more awake now.

“It’s Bryan.” I managed to choke the words out through my tears.

“What—what happened?” In the background, I could hear rustling, movement. It sounded like he was getting out of bed, maybe dressing.

“I don’t know. Somebody beat the shit out of him, and he won’t talk, and I can’t get him inside.”

“Is he at the house?”

“Yeah, in the back yard.”

“Okay. I’ll be there soon. My car’s at the shop but I can get there fast.”

“Please hurry.” I sobbed again.

“I’ll be there soon, Bryn. Promise.”

He said goodbye and hung up.

I didn’t know what I was supposed to do. I had to work on getting Bryan cleaned up, at least. Still weeping, I went to the kitchen and filled a bowl with hot water. I grabbed the towels from the handle of the oven and carried them outside.

Bryan hadn’t moved. He looked up at me, but said nothing.

I knelt down next to him, wetting one of the towels and starting to wipe blood from his face.

“I don’t need you fussing over me.”

God, it barely sounded like him.

I sobbed again. “Well, what the hell else am I supposed to do?”

“Shut up.”

“Dammit, Bryan. I’m your sister. I’m doing this because I love you, even if you are being a jackass.”

He went silent, glaring at me with one eye.

I shook my head. “I love you. I always will. But I can’t help you if you don’t talk to me.”

Bryan sighed heavily.

I shut my eyes. “Just, start with yes or no. Are you drunk?”

Slowly, he nodded.

“Are you just drunk?”

Bryan shook his head.

“Pot?”

No.

“Speed?”

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