Page 15 of The Downside of Love
So I wait.
I wait until a small hand presses against my back and without turning around, I know it’s Rory. Her signature female scent floats around me, wrapping me in a proverbial hug.
“Then let us help you. We can work out a schedule, Stryder. Just let us help you get out of your dad’s house for now and then we’ll go from there.”
I fucking hate that I have to rely on them, that this is what my life has come to.Ishould be taking care of Rory, but she has to take care of me.
As an Air Force Academy graduate, my job is to protect and serve. Right now, I’m itching for another drink, because to rely on two practically strangers for a fucking place to sleep is degrading. Such a fuck-up.Where has the boy who was voted most likely to succeed gone?
“Okay.” The word falls out of my mouth strained and rough.
I hate this.
I hate myself.
I need this.
I need Rory.
I don’t want to need anybody.
Chapter Four
RORY
“What’s he doing?”
“Can you get him under control please?”
“Why is he hitting himself?”
“He’s so loud, Mommy.”
“Ma’am, we’re going to need you to leave, the customers are getting scared.”
I count to ten before addressing who I can only imagine is the store manager behind me. Eyes squeeze shut, deep breath in, deep breath out.
Hand still on Bryan who’s cradled in the corner by the lawn furniture in the department store, I turn my head to the man behind me holding a walkie talkie. “Hi, my name is Rory and this is my brother Bryan.”
“We’re going to need you to leave.”
I nod, keeping my calm. It’s not the first time I’ve had to deal with ignorant human beings. Unfortunately. “I can understand your concern for your store and customers, but please have an open heart when I tell you my brother has autism and is currently having a moment I need to help him work through. I would love to get him out of your store as quickly as possible but it’s not as easy as it seems. I need him to feel safe and comfortable first and having you raise your voice in our direction is not helping.”
The man’s face begins to soften and deep down I hope that not only does he feel like shit for being so harsh, but that he also learns a lesson. As a stranger, you never know who you’re talking to or their background, so you should always approach with sensitivity. This man didn’t get the memo.
“If you don’t mind helping me, could you clear out some of the onlookers so I can talk to my brother privately? That would be incredibly helpful.”
“Uh, sure.” He looks down at Bryan who is rocking back and forth, his ears covered. “Can I get you anything else?”
“Just traffic control. Thank you.”
Turning back to Bryan, I squat down to his level and lightly rub my thumb over his knee cap, a spot that I know soothes him.
Mom and dad are out on a date and I offered to watch Bryan. Being ambitious, I thought it would be fun to pick up a new ball for our bounce game and some frozen pizza.
Apparently, that was a bad idea.
Then again, the way I see it, you never know until you try. It’s a setback but not a game changer, especially since Bryan is easily starting to calm down this go around.
