Two

After I’d tucked Grandpa into bed, I went back to the kitchen to clean up leaving him chatting with Theo. The plates and pots from dinner still sat on the counter, mocking me. I grabbed a dishcloth and began scrubbing away at a stubborn stain, trying to ignore the heaviness in my chest. It wasn’t just about the dishes—it was the night, the weight of everything, and, most of all, Theo.

I heard his footsteps behind me before he spoke. “Ella, I’m heading out,” Theo said, his voice sharp and final.

I turned to look at him, my hands still wet from the soapy water. “Stay a little while longer, Theo. It’s been months since we’ve had a proper conversation.”

He groaned, checking the time on his phone. “Ella, I’ve got an early morning tomorrow. Meetings. You know how it is.”

I set the dishcloth down, crossing my arms over my chest. “I know, but just a few minutes. Help me dry and pack these plates, and we can talk.”

Theo raised an eyebrow, his expression one of disbelief. “Me? Help with dishes? Ella, I’m wearing Armani. Do you know how much this suit costs?”

“And yet, you ate in it,” I shot back, picking up the drying cloth and handing it to him. “You’ll survive. Now help me.”

He sighed dramatically, shaking his head as if I were asking him to move mountains. “Fine,” he said, grabbing a plate to dry. “But you’re lucky I love you.”

I smiled faintly, watching as he begrudgingly started drying the plates. Despite his theatrics, it was nice to have him here, even if it was just for a few minutes.

As we worked, I glanced at him. “Theo, I wanted to talk to you about Grandpa’s medical bills. They’re getting expensive, and with his oxygen therapy and the new medications—”

“I don’t have money right now,” Theo interrupted, his tone clipped. He set the plate down harder than necessary, the sound echoing in the quiet kitchen.

I frowned, glancing at the watch glinting on his wrist. “Really? You don’t have money? Because that watch you’re wearing says otherwise.”

Theo’s jaw tightened as he turned to face me fully. “Is that why you’ve been calling me so much lately? Why you came to my office unannounced? To guilt me into giving you money?”

I blinked, caught off guard by the accusation. “I’ve been calling you because I never see you anymore, Theo. You live in the same city as us, but it feels like you’re a million miles away. Grandpa misses you. I miss you.”

He scoffed, tossing the dishcloth onto the counter. “Unlike you, Ella, I have a real job. One that’s important. I can’t just drop everything to play happy family.”

The words hit me like a slap. I felt my stomach twist, but I refused to let the hurt show on my face. “A real job? Is that what you think, Theo? That I don’t work hard? I may be a seamstress, but it’s this ‘unimportant’ job that paid for your education. Or have you forgotten that?”

Theo’s face darkened, his mouth opening as if to retort, but I kept going. “I’m not asking you to ‘play happy family,’ Theo. I’m asking you to help. Grandpa’s getting worse. He needs more care, more medicine, and I can’t do it all alone.”

For a moment, Theo just stood there, his expression unreadable. Then, without a word, he pulled out his checkbook from his jacket pocket, scribbled something down, and tore out a check. He tossed it onto the counter between us, the sound of the paper hitting the surface feeling heavier than it should.

“There,” he said, his voice cold. “Take it. I hope it’s enough for you.”

And with that, he grabbed his coat and stormed out of the kitchen, the door slamming shut behind him.

I stood there for a moment, staring at the check on the counter. My hands trembled as I picked it up, tears stinging my eyes. I hated this—hated that it had come to this. The Theo I used to know, the boy who used to make Grandpa laugh until his sides hurt, was gone. Replaced by someone I barely recognized. I couldn't recognize my baby brother anymore.

I swallowed hard, wiping at my eyes before the tears could fall. Then I heard the sound of coughing from Grandpa’s room—deep, wracking coughs that made my heart lurch. I rushed down the hall and pushed open his door.

Grandpa was sitting up in bed, his hand pressed to his chest as he struggled to catch his breath. His oxygen tank hissed faintly beside him, but it didn’t seem to be helping enough.

“Grandpa!” I hurried to his side, sitting on the edge of the bed and taking his hand. “Are you okay? Do you need more oxygen?”

He shook his head slowly, his coughing subsiding after a moment. His eyes, watery and tired, met mine. “I’m fine, Ella,” he said hoarsely. “I just… I heard shouting.”

I hesitated, not wanting to worry him more than he already was. “It was nothing, Grandpa. Just… Theo and I had a little disagreement. It’s fine.”

Grandpa’s grip on my hand tightened slightly, his gaze searching mine. “Theo,” he murmured, shaking his head. “He’s a good boy, but he’s lost his way.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat, forcing a smile. “He’s just… busy. That’s all. He’ll come around.”

Grandpa sighed, his expression weary. “Ella, promise me something.”

“Anything,” I said immediately.

“Take care of Theo,” he said, his voice quiet but firm. “Even when I’m gone. He may be grown, but he’s still a child in so many ways.”

“Don’t talk like that, Grandpa,” I whispered, blinking back tears. “You’re not going anywhere.”

He gave me a faint smile, his eyes full of a sadness I couldn’t bear to see. “We all have to go some time, Ella. Just promise me you’ll look out for him. He needs you more than he realizes.”

I nodded, my throat too tight to speak. I leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his forehead, the familiar scent of his aftershave mixed with the faint medicinal smell of his oxygen tank.

“I’ll take care of him, Grandpa,” I whispered. “I promise.”

He smiled again, his eyes closing as he sank back into the pillows. I sat there for a while, holding his hand and listening to the steady rhythm of his breathing. I thought about Theo, about the boy he used to be and the man he was now. No matter how much he pushed me away, no matter how much he tried to pretend he didn’t need us, I knew deep down he was still my little brother.