He rocked back on his heels. "I did, actually. Ayla kept me entertained."
I smiled. "I bet she did. Are you going to brunch?"
"Nah. Seems like a family thing."
I raised a brow. Usually, I didn't care. I preferred when he stayed away. But now it seemed selfish of me. "You know you're part of our family too."
"I know."
He wanted to remain a loner. The question was, why? "You should come."
"What if I have plans?"
My forehead wrinkled. "Are you going into work?"
"I should go in and get some things done."
"Well, thanks for coming." I turned to walk back inside to see if anyone needed anything, and he said, "I think it's cool you do this."
I looked at him over my shoulder. "I don't do this for any kind of accolades or recognition."
"That makes it more impressive." Then he turned and walked away.
I watched him go, wondering why I'd shared this part of myself with him.
Why did he avoid some of our family get-togethers? I had an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of my stomach. I wasn't welcoming. I'd always fought with him and given him a hard time.
I was jealous of him. He was one more brother to take attention away from me. My mother seemed to have a soft spot for him. He was a kid in need who didn't want anyone to treat him differently.
I hadn't realized it at the time, but I was getting that impression now. And it was changing everything about my perspective.
I met my family at a local restaurant for brunch and settled at the end of the table. It was loud and boisterous, but no one brought up my volunteer work again.
After we'd eaten and split the bill, I walked out with Mom and Dad.
"Why didn't you tell us about your work at the food bank?" Mom asked.
I shrugged. "I didn't think it mattered."
Mom's forehead wrinkled. "I think it does."
"It doesn't change anything. I still don't have a college degree or a career." Not something they could point to and say, See our daughter is going to be just fine.
"It seems like a large part of who you are, and you kept it a secret."
"We just wish you would have told us." Regret filled Dad's tone.
There was nothing I could do that wouldn't disappoint them. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner."
Mom nodded. "We'd like to come again."
"You can come anytime you want. I'm usually there."
Mom hugged me, and I smiled at Dad. They got in their truck and pulled away. I let out the breath I'd been holding. It wasn't as bad as I was thinking it would be. But my parents still weren't happy with me. I'd done something else that disappointed them.
I thought I'd stopped caring about their reaction, but it seemed like you never moved past that kind of thing with your parents.
Usually, I tried to be one of many. If they were focused on my brothers, they couldn't be worried about me. But now, all my brothers had steady businesses and were dating people; it was easier to focus on me.