Page 73 of The River in Spring
“Quit fucking around, Nobel. Was it her idea?”
“No! Why are you saying that? It was me. A hundred percent me.”
“Did she cheat?”
“No.”
“Did you get tired of the sex?”
“No, that didn’t happen,” I say pointedly.
“Does she bore you?”
“There’s nothing boring about the woman.”
“Well what then?”
I take a few beats before telling the story.
“I told you about rerecording the song.”
“Yeah.”
“It went well. Better than they imagined. They have to relocate to Nashville.”
“That’s great.”
“Is it? For them. But for me, it means giving this all up. Changing everything about my life. They are going to be based out of Nashville, probably go on tour, etcetera. I’d be the groupie.”
He looks at me and I know what’s coming.
“I don’t get it. I thought you two were in love.”
“We are. Were. Are.”
“Don’t be so shortsighted, brother. You can’t stay The Invisible Man forever, just because it’s comfortable to hide.”
“You don’t understand.”
“I understand more than you do.”
“Really? Are you the grand wizard of love?”
As soon as the words leave my mouth, I regret saying them. His eyes show the sadness he lives with.
“I might be. At least I’m the wizard of losing it. That makes a man an expert in appreciating what can’t be replaced.”
“Sorry, Aargon. I’m a dick.”
“Don’t be a stupid one. I know what it’s like to have it and lose it. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone, let alone my brother.”
I sit with the thought.
“I can hardly believe you would actually choose it, Nobel.”
I have nothing to add. This headache is pounding like a jackhammer. Aargon sees the mood, and switches topics.
“You know it’s Mom and Dad’s anniversary tomorrow, right?”
