Reading Steven’s upbeat text, Dustin knew he and Lolly had made up. He guessed Steven’s sister had swept in and saved the day. He was happy for his friend, but he couldn’t help thinking Lolly should have dumped him for what he did.

He wondered what he should wear to such a party. He wondered who he should ask. He thought about texting those two girls he’d met at Steven’s on New Year’s, but worried if he asked them, they’d ask what party he was going to and what if they weren’t invited and asked him if they could come along? Also, what did two white girls in 2019 know about ’90s hip-hop anyway? Probably more than he did, a fact of which he was not proud. Dustin’s palms were now sweaty. This was exactly why he hated parties. So many machinations and preparations!

He texted the one person he knew he could ask without feeling stupid. His older brother, Nicholas, was a huge rap fan, which was the only reason Dustin knew anything about it at all. His brother also happened to be the least reliable person on the planet, which meant he probably wouldn’t even get a response.

He was wrong. His brother texted him right back and asked why Dustin needed to know about ’90s hip-hop clothes. Dustin hesitated to admit the real reason and briefly considered lying and telling his brother he needed to know for a school project or a short story he was writing. Dustin hadn’t seen his brother in months and hadn’t texted with him since a three-line exchange during the holidays. He had wished his brother Happy Chanukah but got a one-line response telling him he had renounced all religion and no longer celebrated any holiday. He had texted back Happy New Year, but his brother had never answered.

Dustin decided to tell the truth:

Dustin

I need to know because I’m going to a 90s hip-hop party with a girl

Nicholas

Send pic of girl

Dustin

No

Nicholas

Give me 1 reason Y I should help

Dustin grimaced when he read this, hating his older brother for being such an asshole, and then immediately feeling guilty for it. His brother was a recovering heroin addict, the black sheep of the family, but still Dustin always tried to cut him a break.

Dustin

I’m your brother.

Nicholas

Try again.

Dustin

Never mind, forget I asked.

Nicholas

ur so fuckin’ sensitive. I’ll tell you for $$$

Dustin

How much?

Nicholas

$100.

Dustin knew this was a bad idea, because he was on strict orders from his parents to never give Nicholas money. He felt guilty about it, but he felt like he had no choice due to the Kimmie of it all.

Dustin

Fine.

Nicholas

Venmo me.

Dustin Venmo’d his brother fifty dollars and waited for the response he knew he’d get.

Nicholas

only got $50.

Dustin