15. Don’t be a Smart Ass
fifteen
Don’t be a Smart Ass
Dylan
“ W ill you at least let me help you down the stairs?” I ask my sister who is waddling as fast as she can.
“Dylan, I’m fine! I can walk down some stairs,” she barks.
“Liz, you’re pregnant. What if you fall?”
“You sound like Jack.”
“That’s because we both care about you.” I walk behind her with my arms outstretched in case I need to grab her unexpectedly.
“Dylan, I have been walking unattended for over thirty years now. I think I know how.”
When we hit the bottom of the stairs, her purse slides off her shoulders and falls to the floor. I watch an utter look of defeat cross her face as she looks down at it.
Holding onto the banister, she tries to bend over far enough to get it, but her big pregnant belly makes it impossible. The next thirty seconds are spent trying every angle she can think of .
Finally, she throws her hands on her hips in defeat and sighs. “Well, Mr. Helpful, do you think you could give me a hand?”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Now, you want my help?”
“Don’t be a smartass.”
When we get locked in a staring contest, she finally says, “I’m sorry for being a brat. Can you please grab my purse for me?”
I quickly bend over to pick it up and hand it to her.
“Show off,” she mumbles.
“Don’t be hateful,” I tell her. “Like I said, there’s nothing wrong with someone asking for help.”
“Oh, shut up. Don’t give me a hard time.”
“Sis, believe me. You’re doing that all on your own.”
I step in front of her to hold the door open, but she pushes me out of the way. As she stomps past, she asks, “Do you know how hard it is not to be able to do everyday things? To have everyone assume that you’re incapable? You know how independent I am. This shit is really hard for me.”
We walk through the front door and make our way into the parking lot.
I put my arm around her shoulder to help her down a couple of steps after she stumbles a little.
“You know, Liz, I understand that this is hard for you. You’re one tough woman. Always have been. But right now, you’re growing a literal person inside of you.”
“I’m aware of that.”
“Let me finish,” I say. “In a matter of weeks, you’re going to have a cute little baby. Everyone is going to focus on the newborn—including you. Maybe you should enjoy this time of everybody spoiling you while you still can. ”
She stops walking and mulls over my words.
“Liz?” I ask, feeling scared that she’s going to haul off and hit me.
Without warning, she wraps her arms around me in a hug.
Not what I was expecting.
“Thanks, Dylan.”
“For what?”
“For being such a good brother.”
Man, her emotions are giving me whiplash. How the hell does Jack do this?
I look at the giant spread laid out in front of my sister. I consider making a joke about how much food it is, but I don’t want to piss her off while she’s holding a knife.
She takes a bite of her steak, “So, what’s been up with you? I feel like we haven’t talked much lately.”
“Not much. Same shit, different day.”
“Come on. Tell me something juicy.” She takes a bit of a fry. “I need to live vicariously through you.”
“I had a date a little while back.”
“Oh? How’d it go?”
“She was only twenty and saving herself until marriage.”
Her eyes go wide. “Damn. What was her third strike?”
“She only watched romcoms.”
She laughs. “Glad you dodged that bullet.”
“You and me both.”
“How’s the house? Did you finally get everything unpacked?”
“Yep. I like it, but I didn’t fathom how lonely it would be sometimes.”
“I find it hard to believe that you get lonely, but I get what you’re saying.”
I decide to change the subject because I really don’t need my pregnant sister worrying about me. She’s got more than enough on her plate.
“Are you guys ready for the baby to come?”
“Figuratively? Yes. I’m ready to have my body back to normal. Literally, no. We still need to finish setting up the nursery.”
“Let me know if you guys need any help.”
It’s crazy to believe that not all that long ago, Liz was living it up in LA. We hadn’t seen her in years. Now, she’s back, in love, and having a baby. It’s nice seeing her so happy.
She cuts another bite of steak. “I know I’ve been a little mean lately. And I absolutely hate asking for help, but thank you for coming with me today. It was nice to have some company.”
“You’re welcome.”
“You have always been such a good brother to all of us.” Emotion chokes her up as tears form behind her eyes.
“Liz! What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” she sniffles. “You’re just the best brother. I’m sorry. The baby makes me a tear factory.”
I have no clue what to say.
She adds, “I want to tell you something. We wanted to keep it a secret, but I want you to be the first to know.”
“Okay? ”
She sets her hand on her belly. “It’s a girl.”
“I have another niece?” I ask.
“Mmhmm.”
I feel the tears threatening to spill out of my own eyes.
The pregnancy emotions must be contagious.