In the Next Life
It was New Year's Eve. We were streaming live when my brother called.
I spoke first, "I wish you peace and a happy, long life."
He gave a cold laugh. "Yeah, well, I don't want you to have any of that. I hope you spend the rest of your life in misery."
I'd cut him off the year he was flat broke. Now that he was successful, this was the first thing he did—get back at me.
I kept my tone calm. "I wish you peace and a happy, long life."
He sounded annoyed. "Cut it out. There's no way I'm wishing you well. If I have to say something, then I hope you stay miserable forever."
The host hesitated, then chimed in, "Ben, that was just a recording of Hailey's message. And yes, when she left… she was in a lot of pain and quite miserable, just like you hoped for."