It Takes Two

Chapter 18

Hope you're having a good day!

Rae

We hadn't necessarily picked who was going to sleep in what room, but I just took dibs on the open one I saw. There were three bedrooms in total, one being Damiano's. Someone would either have to share a bed or sleep on the floor in someone's room.

That'll be an interesting conversation tonight.

I put my bag down, which I had finally retrieved from the truck. I dismissed the driver, as he was going to head back to Donovan's compound. I began to settle in, but I heard some talking coming from the window. I didn't realize it was even open, explains the soft breeze coming through.

I went to close it, but I noticed Donovan and Damiano talking; arguing in fact. I decided to kneel down to listen closer. Yeah, that conversation was going south. No way it was getting better. It seemed as if Donovan was trying to calm him, but it wasn't working.

I eventually saw Damiano push him and make his way back in the condo. Donovan just stood there, struck by something Damiano said. He was not moving at all, he must've hit a nerve. I stood up and went out of the room, then downstairs. I didn't see Damiano, he must've taken a walk.

I opened the sliding doors leading to the backyard.

"Donovan." I called out. He looked at me with so much sadness in his eyes. I never seen him this way. "You wanna go up to the room?" He was trying to say words, but nothing came out. I met him halfway as I grabbed his arm to escort him. Without saying anything at all, we went up the steps to the room.

He sat on the bed and I sat next to him. I wanted to see if he'd talk eventually, it didn't even have to be about what just happened.

"Rae I-." He struggled to say. "You heard that?"

"Not specifically, but clearly whatever was said wasn't anything good..." I trailed off. I didn't want to dig in. If he didn't want to speak on it, I completely would understand.

"You know I-." He started, "I loved Dad so much, but I go back and forth with it because he was a shitty human being to my brother. Two completely different experiences. And I look at my brother now..." He paused as he shook his head. "He's in so much pain because of the man I loved. I can't blame him..."

I remained silent to not interrupt his thought process. Seemed like he was going through some kind of revelation at this moment.

"It's like well damn I-this is essentially all Dad's fault. I didn't shun Dam, I didn't treat him differently. Dad did. Now I'm getting blamed for not doing anything. I get where he is coming from, but this is not my fault..." He turned towards me. "Rae please tell me I'm not crazy?" He put his hand on his chest. "Is this my fault?" His voice cracked the slightest.

I could feel the sadness radiating off him. I felt so bad.

"I don't want to say something that could-."

"No Rae, I'm confiding in you. Just say whatever you need to say, please." He said, desperately. I nodded.

"No, I don't think you're crazy. I think your brother is hurt and he has been for a long time. He left the only life he ever knew at 17, just a kid. That has a major effect on his mental health. He's also never got closure, so it's been brewing ever since then. I mean he's 23, it's been awhile." I stopped to see how Donovan was responding. He just stared at the ground, waiting for me to say more.

"Your dad isn't around anymore. Damiano is hurt, rightfully so, but he's looking for someone to blame. You are still here, so that person to blame is you. That's probably how he's viewing it, even though you are right. None of this is your fault." I put my hand on his shoulder, "You also were a kid, D."