My Bestfriend's Brother Is My Tutor

orbs. His facial structure, the perfection of it was also something that ran in the family. It was nearly impossible for Lisa to have any issue with contouring her cheeks while

ced. "You'll get used to the name." He rubbed the top of my head like I was a little schoolboy who had just done something right and was getting praised by his coach. That was the act that made me tuck the inappropriate ideas away since he didn't share in it. He may have been in my space so many times today but it meant nothing to him. I was ashamed thinking of how far my mind had wandered. "Is that...Jerome?!" Lisa was at the door when she saw Jerome. She ran into his arms and he picked her up and twirled her, just like Flynn does. "Mom! Your runaway son's here!" She announced. And the rest of the family trooped in and gave their greetings, each one being unique. Declan shared a handshake with Jerome that ended in a side hug, Patricia hugged the crap out of her son before she tipped his chin and kissed his cheek, Flynn just offered a curt nod and a handshake but he was clearly happy, chuckling, and bursting with smiles. All the while, I stood there waiting to be remembered again. How was it that they've always had an elder son and I never knew? How was it that he knew everything about me but I knew nothing about him? The questions were endless. How old was he? He looked really older than Declan and Lisa. I was guessing there was at least a five-year gap. Where had he been all these while-I had frequented this house for two years and never had I gotten an idea of his existence. Jerome Lewin. Even his name sounded unreal. But he was real and he was smiling at me as he answered his mom's questions. Lisa hooked her hand in mine like all was normal. Perhaps it was normal to her to have her brother return home. It wasn't to me. A minute ago, he didn't exist in my world. "I never knew you had another brother," I said as we both watched him. "I know. Sometimes I forget too." "He really is your brother? This isn't a joke?" Lisa took a deep breath before she answered, beaming with pride. "Yes!" Then she shrieked beside me, like his return made her the happiest person alive. *** "You can't be drinking alcohol," Jerome said. He popped the beer bottle open, two of them, and handed one to Declan. Lisa's legs dangled across the chair's armrest, her back nestled on the opposite side. "I drink alcohol. I just don't do it at home." She rolled her eyes and crossed her legs. We were all back outside again and the night had continued like every other night. Flynn had finished making the sandwiches and barbecue and a good portion of it was finished, Patricia had gone back into the house and Flynn had followed her, not before he asked a question that got the air still. "When are you going to see Marilyn's mom?" Everyone noticed how Jerome's throat had bobbed as he tried to swallow whatever heaviness was lying there. I understood immediately who Marilyn was. She couldn't be any other person but the dead girlfriend and hearing her name made the story more real. She had a name, she had a mom, she had a life and now she was dead. Perhaps what I had to live with, deadbeat parents, was nothing compared to the guilt Jerome had to live with. "Do I have to see her?" Jerome had asked. "Yeah. It's the least you can do. Infact, it's all you can do." Jerome had agreed. "I'll visit her but I don't want to think about it tonight." and to that, Flynn had let it slide before he followed Patricia inside. Now it was just the kids outside, watching the stars as the fire dwindled out so the night's chill could wrap us even better. "Who gives you alcohol?" Jerome asked Lisa. Once again, I was present but absent. I could hear them and tell what was happening but I had not yet said a word. I couldn't help but wonder if my dad had come home yet. I left the house two nights ago and though I always told myself that I didn't care for the man,