Chapter 02.1

I was getting ready for Christmas—finally, I could go home. I hadn’t gone out in a while, just focused on studying. The food didn’t taste as good as it did at home, so I didn’t feel like eating much either.

What I looked forward to most on weekends were Uncle Steve’s conversations—at least then I could focus on something I truly enjoyed.

Sometimes, older girls tried to flirt with me, but I didn’t want to talk to them for more than two sentences. It would all end the same way it did in the elevator.

Sometimes I felt guilty about that kiss. Other times, I thought of Jenny and her new guy. That’s when the jealousy burned the most.

“See you at New Year’s, man,” Eddie said as I left for the airport and home.

Dad was waiting for me when I landed. We got home just in time for dinner.

“Hey, son,” he said at the airport, hugging me. “Interesting beard,” he added with a smile. I hadn’t felt like shaving in a while.

Amber and Brad were waiting at home. Mom had baked another batch of cookies.

“You’ve lost weight,” Amber said, then quickly added, “but it suits you.”

They asked about school, and I answered.

“Son,” Mom said, “I need to ask you something—the deadline’s coming up. Julie and Adam are getting married in the spring, and the question is: will you come? The whole family’s invited, but Julie said she’d understand if you didn’t want to.”

“What does her daughter think?” I asked flatly, trying to force down a sandwich.

“Julie asked her and wrote it down—she thought it might mean more to you that way,” Mom said, pulling out a note with a smile.

“Jay decides what happens in his life. That’s what makes him a man,” she read aloud.

Dad and Amber smiled. I burst out laughing. I missed her wit. I hadn’t heard from her in so long—it only made me miss her more.

“I’ll be there. Make the arrangements,” I said. “When’s the rest of the family arriving?”

“Day after tomorrow,” Dad said dryly as he cleared the table.

Amber went upstairs, then suddenly shouted. Brad looked up from his plate.

“What the hell?”

My sister came running down, holding two pieces of the bedsheet.

“What happened?” Mom asked while helping Dad at the fridge.

“You cut it up, brought it home, and scattered it in my room?” Amber asked angrily, shaking the fabric.

“You’re a seamstress. If you want it, you can fix it,” I replied.

“Sorry, Dad, but I’m not putting up with this anymore,” Amber said. Dad tried to respond, but she stepped up to me and slapped me so hard I thought my head would fall off.

“Get it together, little brother, or we’re done,” she said and stormed back upstairs.

“Johnny,” Dad said calmly, sitting down beside me. “What did you do?”

“It was just a bedsheet,” I muttered, rubbing my face. “I’d better go to my room.”

I went upstairs, lay down, and fell asleep. Half-asleep, I could still hear Amber complaining in the kitchen.

I woke up late at night. The light was still on in my parents’ room, and it was clear they were talking. I stepped out quietly to listen.

“Andrew,” Mom said, “our son is unhappy.”

“No, sweetheart—our son is suffering. He’s lost,” my father corrected gently. “After that wild night, I thought he’d hit rock bottom,” he said. “But seeing him today… he hasn’t.”

“What does Uncle Steve say?” Mom asked. “Did you talk to him?”

“I did,” Dad replied. “He says Johnny knows the material, pays attention, and hasn’t gone off the rails. Aside from that one wild night, he’s been studying.”

“Then I guess all those phone calls were worth it,” Mom chuckled.

“He could barely read his own questions out loud,” Dad laughed. “Sometimes Uncle Steve just had to guess what the question was. By the end, Uncle Steve said Johnny was just scribbling while rambling on about his card games, repeating himself. Johnny didn’t even notice. He pretended to take notes, but Steve thinks he was just doodling.” Dad chuckled again. “Apparently, he nodded off a few times during their sessions, and the next time, he couldn’t remember a thing. Daniel said he’d heard it all so many times, he could take the exam himself. Still, Steve had a great time with him—that’s why he called Johnny back twice that evening. Since then, he’s been doing fine academically.”

I couldn’t help but smile. I had no idea the old man had such a good sense of humor.

“Well, at least that’s something,” Mom said. “Maybe we should bring him home.”

“He’d never forgive us if we forced him,” Dad replied. “Then he’d have to face the damage he caused—and that would only make things worse. Brian asked everyone not to say a word. Johnny wouldn’t survive knowing the girl started dating right after his late-night call.”

Suddenly, I felt hot. Jenny started dating someone because of me.

“Can the damage be undone?” Mom asked hopefully.

“I don’t know,” Dad said quietly. “I’m not even sure it’s worth trying. I don’t see any emotion in that girl anymore. It wasn’t easy before, but since Johnny’s brilliant move, she’s completely shut down. She hasn’t shed a single tear since her father died.” He paused, then added, “Still just as charming, but completely closed off. Julie’s afraid she’s going to blow up eventually. So honestly, it’s all Johnny’s fault—but how deep the damage goes, I really can’t say.”

“And what if they met again?” Mom asked.

“That girl already has enough on her shoulders,” Dad said. “She’s done more for our son than he ever deserved.”

“And if he can’t fix the damage?” Mom asked softly.

“Then he has to learn to live with the consequences of his actions,” Dad said, and turned off the light.

I stepped back into my room and quietly closed the door behind me.

It took me a long time to fall asleep. Dad was right. I couldn’t stop thinking about Jenny, trying to remember exactly what I’d said to her during that call. I needed to know what I’d done.