- 4.
Back home, Jason flopped on the couch and
said he was hungry. Ashley rushed to the
kitchen, eager to show off her newly acquired
cooking skills. My sister, who never lifted a
finger in the kitchen, was now consulting her
phone for nutritious recipes, terrified of
upsetting Jason’s delicate stomach.
Dad presented him with the latest gaming
console, a “get well soon” gift to celebrate his
survival. Mom had cleaned Jason’s room from
top to bottom, adding air–purifying plants for
his recovery. Jason, playing video games, was
the center of their universe.
My spirit returned with them, but this familiar
place felt colder than ever.
>
The doorbell rang. It was my girlfriend, Olivia.
She greeted everyone and asked about Jason, “I heard Jay–Jay was coming home today, so I brought some get–well gifts.”
Jason dropped his game controller, acting shy. “Olivia, you didn’t have to do that. I’m all better
now.”
Olivia gave him a sweet smile. The ice queen
she was to me was a gentle girl around Jason.
She felt like a stranger.
Then she asked, “Where’s Jason?”
If she hadn’t mentioned me, they probably
would have forgotten my existence. Mom’s face
darkened. “Don’t mention that ungrateful brat. I
said a few words to him the other day, and he
ran away. Good riddance! If he likes being out
there so much, he can stay out there. If he dies
out there, it’ll be less trouble for us. At least we
<
won’t have to deal with his constant drama!”
Olivia nodded. “It’s better if he doesn’t come
back. He might disturb Jay–Jay’s rest.”
Ashley came in with a tray of food, teasing, “So,
have you decided when you’re dumping Jason?
You better snatch up my brother before
someone else does.”
Olivia blushed. “I was planning to talk to him
about it today when I came to see Jay–Jay.”
A wave of sadness choked me. I laughed
bitterly, turning away. I was used to being
unloved.
After dinner, Mom became agitated. She went
to her room, frantically searching for something
on her phone. It was my number. She called
repeatedly, but it went straight to voicemail.
She threw her phone down. “He dares not
く
answer my calls! Does he really think anyone
cares about him?”
Then she called the nurse. “Did Jason tell you
what his little game is? Tell him he better get
his act together and apologize to his brother, or
he can forget about ever coming home!”
There was a pause. “Director…Jason passed
away a week ago. The car accident ruptured his
heart, but you’d called all the doctors to Jason’s
room… There was no one to operate on him…”
