I WAS ALREADY in the car when I got the call. I knew it was going to be involved so I took a right into a neighborhood and pulled over just before the cul-de-sac. I flicked the headlights off as I shifted gears to park and picked up my phone vibrating in the console cup holder. With each vibration, my phone shifted a little to the right on the coffee-stained flower car coaster. I picked it up and looked at the incoming caller ID. It said BROTHER.
“Hi,” I said. “What’s up?” I put my free hand on the bottom of the steering wheel, turning it back and forth an inch.
“Nothing,” he said. He sounded tired. His voice was flat. There was a pause.
“Nothing,” I said. “Okay, good chat.”
“What’s going on? What are you doing right now?” He sounded impatient.
“I was just taking a drive. Are you all right?”
“Driving where?” He was lively here.
“Nowhere, just going for a drive. It’s a clear night,” I switched the phone to my other hand. “Are you all right?”
“I just,” he paused. I heard him breathing deep.
“Relax,” I said softly. The
