Thomas

Jason opened the door to find Thomas on the other side, looking rather glum.

“You alright?” Jason asked. “What’s the matter?”

Thomas looked up. “You’re really going?”

Jason sighed. Thomas wasn’t exactly excited about his older brother’s departure. “Come in,” he said, stepping aside and pointing towards the bed. He closed the door and sat beside Thomas.

“Yeah, I’m going. Thomas you-.”

“Why?”

“Look wee man, you know I’ve always wanted to do this. I-.”

“But why now?” Thomas interrupted again. “Mum and dad haven’t even been gone a month and you’re just gonna leave? Just like that?”

“Yes, I am. I know you’re not thrilled about this wee man but-.”

“Stop calling me that! I’m 19 for fuck’s sake.”

Jason chuckled at his little brother’s sudden outburst. “Alright, sorry. I know you’re not thrilled about this Thomas, but this is happening.”

“So what, you’re just gonna leave me? By myself? I… Mum and dad are gone. We can’t just split up. We need to stick together, I… I need you,” he finished quietly, his head dropping.

Jason placed a hand in Thomas’ shoulder. “I know it hurts,” he sighed. “I know. But I know you. You’ll be just fine living here on your own, trust me. You’ve always been wildly independent, done your own thing. I mean, the entirety of last year you were begging to be allowed to move out on your own,” he chuckled.

“That was different,” Thomas muttered.

“I’m not disputing that. Living on your own now is a very different prospect from what it was just last month. But you’ll still be just fine. You don’t need me being around while you have mental parties for the next three years you’re at Uni. Don’t act as if that wasn’t why you wanted your own house,” he added quickly. “Seriously though, believe me when I say that this will be good for you. I truly believe that. Besides, I need to do this.”

Thomas finally raised his head again. “Why, though? Why do you need to it?”

Jason hesitated as he pondered the question. “Because… this whole thing has affected me more than I’ve let on. Since the crash this place, this entire house, it just… depresses me. Everywhere I look, something reminds me of mum & dad. Pictures, the furniture, even that vase out in the hall.”

He paused, trying to compose himself before any tears could fall. “As long as I’m here, I’m not gonna be able to get past this. I’m not gonna be able to get on with my life unless I just get out for a bit. So yeah, I have to do it.”

He looked back at Thomas who was looking at him with a more sympathetic face. “Okay.”

“Okay, what?”

“Okay… go. I get it. If staying here is making you feel that way then… go.”

“Really?” Jason asked surprised. “You don’t have a problem with it now.”

“I do… but I don’t want you to feel that way. So if this is what you need to do, do it. Why didn’t you just say that though?”

Jason sighed. “You’ve known me your whole life. You know what I’m like.”

“True,” Thomas chuckled.

The two of them stood up and exchanged a hug.

“Anyway, it’s not as if I’ll just be gone for however long it takes me to do this. I’ll take breaks, come home. I’m hardly gonna go years without seeing my brother in person, am I? Plus, you can always fly out to wherever I am when Uni’s off. We can see Brazil, Australia, Japan… wherever I am at the time. I could even **** some of the local food down you.”

“No chance,” Thomas laughed. “I’ll stick to steak pie, thanks.”

The brothers laughed again, getting back into their usual routine. “So, where are you going first anyway?”