I didn’t know how she put in the early hours here at the diner and went to school or studied the rest of the day.

Before my food arrived, I was surprised by an unusual visitor. I didn’t notice when the front door opened. A moment later, the shadow fell across the table forcing me into a friendly mindset. When I looked up and realized it was my brother I realized I didn’t have to be friendly at all.

I said, “I never see you in here. I never see you this early in the morning.”

He slid into the booth across from me. “I used to sleep late every morning. Now I usually have to be at class early. Except Tuesdays and Thursdays.”

A minute later, Alicia was back and seemed happy to see my brother. She even grabbed an extra cup of coffee and sat down with us while things were a little slow.

I’ll admit I felt a twinge of jealousy when she slipped into the booth next to Natty and not me. I knew it was innocent and probably just an easier way for her to keep an eye on the two customers sitting at a nearby table, but it still stung a little. I’m also a little envious that my brother is lean, whereas I’m considered anything but lean.

It didn’t matter that I worked out and stayed in shape, my brother looks that way naturally. And now that he had stopped smoking and started working out, he looked even better. That sucked.

I even noticed Alicia checking out his newest tattoo on his left bicep. A little devil in a paramedic’s uniform.

Natty charmed her with tales of becoming a paramedic.

I couldn’t resist saying, “Certainly better than your last job.”

Alicia knew what he used to do; I just wanted to remind them both.

I said to Alicia, “What time do you get off today?”

“About eleven. If Larry shows up on time. Then I’m just going to crash and study for a while.”

“Why don’t you let me buy you lunch at the Bristol Pub? It opens at eleven and it’s always pretty busy.”

The smile on her face gave me a warm feeling. That is, until she turned to my brother and said, “What about it, Natty, want to join us at the Bristol Pub?”

The day was not starting out like I wanted.

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

After breakfast, Natty and I raced down to see my mom at the hospital. We only got a couple of minutes with her before they took her for a battery of tests. She still looked good, although now some of the bruises on her face and arm were turning a sickly blue and yellow.

On our way back to Marlboro, I said to my brother, “You don’t have to hang out with us at the pub. You have the whole day free.”