I huff; I’ve always liked Charlie. He’s quiet, but nice. He balances my sister out in a good way. He used to play for the Denver Dragons, but was never one of the showboat types.We’ve gotten along, even when Audrey and I would fight, he never made me feel shitty about anything.
“Nope, I’d definitely say it’s not the best.”
“I know of some really good PTs I can get you in contact with if you need,” he suggests.
“I just might take you up on that.”
“Asher, is that you?” Audrey calls from another room.
“Nope,” I call back, while walking with Charlie to wherever she is.
She gives me an unimpressed look. “Oh baby bro, I’ve missed you.” She looks down at my arm. “What happened?”
“I’d really like to walk into a room and the first question not have to do with my arm.”
“Well, when you walk in without an explanation to see people you’ve hardly spoken to in a couple years, then there’s bound to be questions,” she deadpans.
“Wow, you know with this warm greeting it’s a wonderwhyI haven’t been in contact much.”
“We made steaks,” Charlie announces, diverting the attention away from our bickering. Something he did a lot when I lived with them.
“Thanks man.”
“Are you really not going to say what happened to your arm?” Audrey questions.
“Maybe if you askednicelyI would.”
Audrey scoffs, but Charlie intercepts again by offering plates to serve up dinner.
We all end up around their dining table, an awkward silence falling over us, the only sound is clinking of forks and knives on the plate.
“Asher,” Charlie speaks up. “What brought you back to Denver?”
“Just some down time and didn’t want to spend it in Oregon.”
“Down time recovering from an injury you told no one about,” Audrey mumbles.
“I’m sorry, was someone talking? I couldn’t hear.” I look from Charlie to my sister.
She sighs, setting her silverware down and glaring at me. Sometimes I wonder if the reason they chose not to have kids was because of me. I know it’s not the case because Audrey said they made the decision before I moved in, but I still wonder.
“How have you been?” she finally asks.
I shrug. “I’ve been better, feels weird to be back,” I tell her honestly. I think about bringing up Rae, but I don’t want to open that door because I know how Audrey can be. She won’t let it go.
“Well, you could’ve said something sooner,” she grumbles.
“Asher, do you need anything else?” Charlie speaks up because I’m sure he can feel the tension.
“My sister to stop giving me shit would be great, actually.”
Charlie sighs.
“What’s your deal?” Audrey snaps.
“Nothing. I’m here, just fucking with you.”
“That’s obvious.” She shakes her head. “Why do you hate it here so much? I’d say life with us waspretty damn goodfor you.”