Chapter 3

Tom didn' t get home until almost midnight. He breezed into the house looking cheerful and unapologetic, his cheeks flushed from the cold.

"Sarah! You' re here!" he said, moving to give me a hug.

I sidestepped him. I was still annoyed about the airport and his flimsy excuse. "Don' t you 'Sarah! You' re here!' me. Where have you been?"

He stopped, his happy expression faltering. "I told Mom. Brittany wasn' t feeling well. I had to make sure she was okay."

I gave a cold laugh. "What, is she incapable of taking an aspirin by herself? You left Mom to come get me from the airport alone, Tom. That' s not like you."

His face reddened. "She just needed a little company, that' s all. You know how girls are, you have to coax them when they' re sick..." He trailed off, realizing he' d said the wrong thing. He was basically admitting he' d prioritized coddling his new girlfriend over a simple family responsibility.

I just shook my head, too disappointed to argue further. "Whatever, Tom. I' m tired. I' m going to bed." I turned and walked up the stairs, leaving him standing awkwardly in the hallway.

Lying in my old bed, I stared at the ceiling and thought about my brother. He' d always been a bit soft, easily influenced. That' s why I' d always felt the need to look out for him, to guide him. I' d hoped that running his own business would help him mature, to become more responsible. But it seemed this new girlfriend had him wrapped around her little finger.

A new worry began to form in my mind. If he was so quick to neglect me, was he neglecting Mom too? He lived here rent-free, in the house I helped pay the mortgage on. The least he could do was help our mother around the house and keep her company. I made a mental note to keep a closer eye on things.

The next morning, I decided to try and make an effort. Maybe I was being too hard on him. I wanted to meet this Brittany and understand what was going on. I suggested we all have a nice dinner together that night.

"I' ll go to the market and get all the stuff," I told my mom. "We can make your favorite seafood pasta. Tom can invite Brittany over. It' s time I met the woman who has my brother so captivated."

My mom looked relieved. "That' s a wonderful idea, honey."

I went to the supermarket, my cart filled with fresh shrimp, scallops, and everything else needed for a celebratory meal. When I got to the checkout, I saw my mom waiting by the registers.

"Mom? What are you doing here? I thought you were at home resting."

She looked flustered. "Oh, Tom called. He and Brittany decided they want to have a barbecue at her place instead. He asked if I could run out and grab some steaks and burgers."

The disappointment hit me again, sharper this time. He couldn' t even be bothered to tell me himself? He just pawned the task off on our mother.

"Unbelievable," I muttered, pulling out my wallet to pay for my own groceries. "So he' s just blowing us off for dinner?"

"He said you' re welcome to join them," Mom offered weakly.

"No, thanks," I said, my tone clipped. "I think I' ll just make this dinner for the two of us." I felt a surge of anger. I needed to get out of the house for a bit to clear my head. "Mom, can I get the keys to the truck? I need to run to the mall to pick up a few things."

My mom hesitated for a second before reaching into her purse. "Of course, honey. Here you go."

She handed me the keys, and I tried to ignore the worried look on her face.