Page 112 of Love & Other Disasters

“True. But I’ve said that I want to have new experiences. The old Violet would have been too afraid.”

“And the new one?” Jill asked, picking up the television remote.

“Will do it anyway.”

“I’m impressed.”

It wasn’t impressive. It was ridiculous. She was a grown woman, and it shouldn’t take a feat of courage to get on a plane, especially since she’d missed J.P. like crazy. They’d been clear the night before they were in this for keeps, and that meant a long-distance relationship.

Ethan was waiting on the back porch when Jordan parked in the driveway. The sunset obscured by gray clouds making the day appear later than it was. J.P. grabbed his bag from the backseat as a drizzle started. He’d gone to visit their mother as soon as he landed, but here sat his prodigal brother who still hadn’t gone to the nursing home.

“I was wondering when you would show up,” Ethan said, his light brown hair brushed his collar and his jaw covered in a thick beard.

J.P. took the steps. “I was wondering the same thing about you.”

“Gimme a break. I’ve been busy.”

“And now?”

“I haven’t seen you since you’ve been back.”

“I was just with mom, after I got off a flight. So you’d killed two birds with one stone.”

“Oh, come on. Surely you’ve gotten to see how she is now.”

He inhaled. “She has Alzheimer’s.”

Ethan looked away, his gaze sweeping the side yard. “You’ve cleaned up the front of the house, it looks good.”

J.P. frowned. “You heard what I said.”

“It was all grown up the last time.”

“And you did nothing.”

“I didn’t have time.”

J.P. dropped his bag to the porch, turning, he threw a jab into his brother’s solar plexus. Ethan dropped gasping.

“I told you when I got here I’d kick your ass,” he said shoving the key in the lock and turned the bolt. He closed the door with his brother still on the porch.

A few minutes later, there was a pounding on the front door followed by a steady stream of swears from Ethan. J.P. ignored this and went to take a shower. Ethan had left by the time he went back downstairs, but he’d sent a long string of middle finger emoji text messages. Jordan smiled, picked a green heart emoji, and sent it back, just to piss him off.

He stood in the large, mostly empty house, and imagined what they’d do if Violet was there. They’d cook dinner together. And they’d sit down around the table, talk about the day, and laugh. Together, they’d clean up the dishes, and maybe relax with a glass of wine. Her visit was two weeks away, already an eternity, and he’d left her only a few hours ago. The stove was old and half the eyes worked, but he’d buy a new one for her.

J.P. dialed her number, and smiled at her sweet voice on the other end.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

“Just miss you.”

“I miss you, too.”

“What are you doing?” he asked, dropping to the couch.

“Studying for the CPA exam.”

“I won’t keep you, then.”

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