You’ll get rest when you give me info

Nicholas

dickwad! Wu Wear baggy jeans, FUBU hoodie, Air Jordans or the pump.

Dustin

What’s “the pump”?

Nicholas

Shaq sneakers, go 2 vintage shop.

Dustin

What shirt?

Nicholas

brand new fresh white tee, maybe a chain.

Dustin Venmo’d his brother another hundred dollars.

Dustin

I added an extra 50$. Go get a fancy dinner in MN. Outback Steakhouse?

Nicholas

Go fuck y’self

Dustin

Thank you. Take care not to slip on the ice.

Nicholas

I’m not in MN. In the Bronx

This was news to Dustin. Last he heard, Nicholas was on month three at the Hazelden rehab facility. His fourth stint in as many years.

Dustin

Do Mom and Dad know?

Nicholas

Dad, not Mom. I’m clean. @halfway house workin at taco shop.

Dustin was shocked, and honestly didn’t know what to write back. Mercifully he didn’t have to because his brother texted again. Gotta bounce lil bro. Later.

Dustin googled vintage shops that carried FUBU, found a store nearby, and headed out. He couldn’t believe his brother was back in town and hadn’t let him know. Though on further reflection, he could absolutely believe it.

XX

When they arrived at the party, Kimmie knew she looked on point and was happy to see a red carpet at the entrance. Photographers lined up, waiting for arrivals. She was used to being photographed from ice dancing competitions and knew exactly how to stand: angle the head, twist the body, cross the ankles if possible, and a relaxed face. As she moved along the step and repeat, posing for the photogs with her frozen half smile, she had only one thing on her mind: how long she’d have to wait until she saw him.

She had not heard from Vronsky all day yesterday. She tried her best not to care about one whole day passing with no word, even though it seemed to her that an unexpected snow day would have been a perfect time to hang out. But she couldn’t take the silence and caved, texting him this morning because she needed to make sure he was going to be there. She knew she was breaking the unwritten rule about girls waiting for boys to text first, but she was going crazy waiting. He had replied immediately, and they exchanged exactly seven texts back and forth. She made sure she didn’t respond to the last of his texts. She told him about Steven’s impromptu limo rental and said she’d be arriving with him, along with Lolly and Anna. She tried to word it so he’d know they had plenty of room in case he wanted to join them. But Vronsky didn’t take the bait. He said he had things to do but he’d be there by midnight and that she should save a dance for him.