Another early Sunday with Alex. And…

“So then I’m behind this guy, right in his tail. I know he’s a good driver, so I’m confident I can put some pressure on him if I stay close without either of us crashing,” Alex said as he told me his story. Sunday morning meant I was meeting him again to continue helping him fix his new bike. I had my ears on his story while I cleaned some oily parts with a rag. “We’re getting to the finish line, and if we do, I win. You know, because I was the one chasing and he didn’t lose me yet. I figure I have this in the bag. But then he pulls something. Son of a bitch thinks he’s an anime character and throws his car to the side, putting his outer wheels inside the gutter for more grip in the tight hairpin.”

My jaw dropped. “No way it worked.”

“It didn’t. Idiot almost flipped the car and damaged the wheels and most of the underside. At least the guys who try to drift with a cup of water in the cup holder just get wet. This guy almost got us both killed. Thankfully nothing happened.”

“And you continue racing even after seeing something like that happen?” I asked him. “I’d be scared shitless.”

“Well, see, most people we race aren’t imbeciles who try to pull crazy stunts like that. We all love our racing shows and movies even if they’re dumb, but we know not to try the stuff we see in them because we’re sane. This happened back when I was 20 and it’s still only the second of three bad crashes I’ve seen.”

“I suppose there are always those who have a hard time differentiating truth from fiction…” Happens with games, too, at times.

“Yeah, that’s my point,” Alex said, casually waving a wrench around. “Though we still laughed about it later.”

Alex liked to tell me stories, and I was once more reminded where Alice got her obsession from. Most, if not all of her brother’s stories were about his time in races or car meets.

After he finished that story, though, he went quiet all of a sudden. He watched me clean up the parts without saying anything, and it was making me a bit uncomfortable. That said, I had an idea of what got him like that.

“So… Alice told you, didn’t she? I already have the deed to the lot. It’s official.”

“She did, she did…” He sighed. “Sorry. Still having a difficult time wrapping my head around it. I always knew she’d move on to make her own life, but I never thought it would be so soon. You know, I always believed she’d be the type to live with our parents for a long time.”

Considering I thought I’d be doing the same, myself, I had to ask, “Is that a good or a bad thing?”

“Neither. A lot of people make a big deal out of moving out of your parents’ house, and damn do I understand the desire for that freedom. Many also look down on those who stay with their parents, and I get that, too. I guess that, if Alice had stayed in our parents’ house, it would be because she had no need to move out and mom and dad like having her around.” He laughed. “Unlike me, who always fought with them.”

“Hm. I think it’s the same for my sister right now. She doesn’t need to move out and mom is happy that she’s staying instead of moving to a dorm.”

“And then there’s you, leaving the nest to make your own already. Five times bigger, too, supposedly.”

I chuckled. I was about to ask him what stuff I should add to the garage Alice wanted. but before I could, I heard my phone ringing.

“Go ahead, answer. I’ll take the chance to go pee.” Alex slapped his knees and stood up in one go.

At first I thought one of the girls would be calling. We were getting together after this. However, when I looked at my phone, I saw it was Thomas. I answered.

“Hey, what’s up?”

“Oliver, are you free?” He sounded both tired and irritated at the same time. “I… Something happened and I need someone to talk at.”

“...Talk at?”

“Yeah, I need to vent. Please tell me you can meet today.”

“...” I sighed. I’d be going home after finishing up for today with Alex. I’d take a shower and immediately head to the park to meet the girls. At least that was the plan, but… I didn’t feel good leaving Thomas hanging like that. “For an hour, at least. I have stuff to do after.”

“Come on, make time for a brother! The girls will understand!”

“I AM making time.”

“Yeah, alright… Thanks man.”

“1:00 pm okay with you?”

“Yeah, let’s meet for lunch.”

“Sounds good. See you later.”

Had to text the girls right after. Told them something happened with Thomas and it seemed important. They didn’t have a problem with moving our meeting time an hour.

-Mila: We’ll just have to eat without you. Your loss.

-Noelle: We’re having sushi!

-Oliver: And what did you do to convince Alice to go eat sushi?

-Alice: Sarah found a place that also sells fried chicken.

-Oliver: Sushi AND fried chicken?

-Sarah: Yes.

-Oliver: Why?

-Sarah: idk.

That seemed like a weird combo.

-Grace: As much as I hate it, don’t be afraid to cancel with us if it’s something important, okay? Not like we won’t have other opportunities.

I threw my head back and let out a soft, drawn out groan. She wasn’t wrong, I knew, but I still didn’t want to cancel. I’d been looking forward to this. I’d go meet Thomas and hear him out, but I prayed that he kept it short.

I was thirsty and badly needed a big glass of water.

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