The car ride is awkward and tense. I didn’t have any other expectations, but I thought you’d at least speak to me. I want to be annoyed and tell you that you should be grateful for me letting you stay with me. But I don’t get to do that — we’re family. And I don’t know if it helps or hurts our situation that I haven’t ever met you before now.

I am ashamed of my older brother Tommy. About as ashamed as I love him. And his wonderful ex-wife Beth, who I’m sure would have been a great mother if she hadn’t have died in a car accident a few years ago. And your brother Joseph… well, that’s a discussion for further down this road. Metaphorical road.

I clear my throat and anxiously glance at you from the corner of my eyes. Every few seconds I make sure you’re still breathing because you’re just so… quiet. I’m not even sure how this works.

“Have you finished school yet?” is the first and only thing I can think of to say.