Page 51 of Big Stick Energy
“Yeah…” He lets out a breath. “I’m a shitty brother. I’m sorry. I can do better.”
That’s a bigger response than I’d bargained for, and I wonder if I’m supposed to apologize, too. But nah. “Maybe start by clueing us in on what you might want as a wedding gift. No idea too weird.”
“Um, a wheelbarrow.”
I laugh. “Really?”
“Really. The landscaping is going to be ajob. And we sank all our cash into the renovation, so we’re going to have to DIY it.”
I try and fail to picture my brother doing manual labor in his own yard. Then again, I couldn’t picture him swing dancing, either. “I’m pretty sure we could make that happen, especially if you text me the address.”
“Thank you,” he says quickly. “That’d be amazing.”
“You’re welcome.”
“And—seriously—great news about your EKG. Tell Dad. He’ll want to know.”
“I’ll do that.”
“… But not Tessa,” he adds. “Dad isn’t telling her until after the wedding.”
“I heard.” I roll my eyes.
“You know how she gets.”
“Yeah, but…”Thisis what makes us a weird family. “When did we decide to spend our whole lives dancing around Tessa’s feelings? She doesn’t dance around ours.”
“No kidding,” he mutters. “But I don’t need her drama at my wedding. Maribel doesn’t deserve that. Doesn’t feel like the right time to teach her a lesson.”
“True.”Except there’s never a right time.I don’t voice this aloud because this is the nicest phone call I’ve ever had with Theo.
Or maybe the only one.
Instead, I do the kind thing—I tell my brother how much I enjoyed meeting Maribel, and how much I’m looking forward to his wedding. Some of that is even true. And we sign off pleasantly.
Next, I do a little research. I call a nice garden center in Massachusetts to scope out the right gift. Then I text Eric.
Darcy:Found the perfect wedding present. You’ll never guess what it is.
Eric:A crystal fruit bowl? One of those 2K napkin sets?
Darcy:Even better. Picture this: The Porsche Taycan of wheelbarrows.
Eric:… what
Darcy:Commercial grade. Dual-wheel action. Reinforced steel frame. Zero to fully loaded in 3.2 seconds.
Eric:Are you okay?
Darcy:Custom powder coating. Ergonomic handles. This baby can hold so many perennials.
Eric:I’m so confused right now. They asked for a wheelbarrow?
Darcy:Theo did! Apparently, they blew their renovation budget and need to do their own landscaping. I found one that’s basically the supercar of lawn equipment.
Eric:Only you could make a wheelbarrow sound sexy. Does it come with leather seats?
Darcy:Sadly no. But it DOES come in midnight blue. Very on-brand for you.
