Just the Way you Are

Brother Issues

Hetty and Granger were heading home, when they saw a sports car in front of their house.

'Owen, why is there a sports car in front of our house? Or do we have an intruder?' Hetty asked.

'Um, sweetie. There's something I've been meaning to tell you these past 2 days...' Granger said, uncomfortably.

Then a loud voice showed up at the window.

'Hey hey big brother! Hope you don't mind my car being in your driveway, I couldn't get in your garage.'

'Big brother?' Hetty asked.

'Hetty, meet my younger brother, Dave.' Granger responded.

As they were walking up to the house

'So big brother, you have a very nice house here. How do you take care of it? And sorry for not noticing, but who is this little lady?' Dave asked.

'My wife. Hetty, this is Dave, Dave, this is Hetty.' Granger responded, annoyed.

'You know, when my brother said he was getting married to a small lady, I almost didn't believe him! And pardon me for asking, but what kind of name is Hetty?'

'Excuse me sir! But I do NOT like your tone! And by the way, my name is short for Henrietta!' Hetty responded, very annoyed.

'Okay! Let's go inside and get settled, shall we?'

That night, on the couch, after Dave took off somewhere

'You have a lot of explaining to do.' Hetty said.

'I know. He reached out to me a couple of days ago, saying he was coming to see us. I told him no, but he wouldn't listen. And I wasn't sure how to tell you without having to explain why I'd rather avoid him.' Granger replied.

'I know that when we were dating, you mentioned having a younger brother. Care to explain your relationship?'

'Sigh. Back in high school, I was the tall kid who was expected to do great things, and Dave was the one no one expected to succeed. I got good grades, and his grades were lousy. I tried out for the basketball team, made it, and was cut after a few games because I stunk. I made the football team, and lasted the whole season, even though I was mostly on the bench. Well, it was the last game of the season, I was given the opportunity to help our team try to take the lead with only a few minutes left on the clock. I was to kick the ball to them, I was about to, but the other team came at me really fast, and I was sacked before I could kick the ball.'

'Oh dear, were you hurt?' Hetty asked.

'Only my pride. After that, my brother became the popular one in my family, and I became a disappointment. The real irony of it all: My brother's grades didn't get better, he barely passed his junior year! His only 'talent' was dating hot girls, yet, I was the disappointment because I couldn't win at sports. Just sucks.'

Squeezing his hand, 'I'm sorry to hear all that. Did your brother ever um, 'succeed''?

'He owns a rich car company, hence the sports car. And he's married, don't ask me how THAT happened, because I have no idea.' Granger responded.

'Well, if you're really interested. I could have Mr. Beale dig into her background, if you could get me her name.'

'That'd be nice.'

The next day, when they were talking, Granger got the name of Dave's wife, and he gave it to Hetty, who then gave it to Eric.

10 minutes later, in the bathroom

'Well?'

'Eric got the info, and you're definitely going to love it!' Hetty said.

After hearing the info, Granger went back downstairs.

'So Dave, how are things with your wife?' He asked.

'Things are going fine. A bit tense, but hey, it's a marriage!' Dave responded.

'Uh huh. Then explain to me why she's filing for divorce?'

'Huh? How did you know that? I don't think that's any of your business!'

'Because I talked to her, and she said she was having serious doubts about your commitment issues after finding your 2 years worth of 'Playboy' magazines. Also, she told me she was very wealthy before she married you, so. Sounds to me like you only married her for her money.' Hetty said, walking in.

'Dude, those are collectables! She completely overreacted! And furthermore, are either of you spies? Because there can't be any other explanation as to how either of you would know that kind of info!' Dave exclaimed.

'If we were, we'd probably have to kill you, and that would be very uncomfortable for all of us.'

'Look, it doesn't matter what my life is right no, I mean. I'm rich! What do you 2 have that's so great? Big brother here failed to make a game winning play and nobody cared about him after that. I'm clearly the better one in our family's eyes!'

'No, no you're NOT! The only 'talent' you had back in high school was being a chick magnet who one time dated 3 women at once and lousy grades all throughout high school! I, I was better then you, for all 4 years and I still am! I have a job where I can help people, and I have a wife who means the world to me! I have always been the better one in our family, your huge ego was just too big to admit it!' Granger shouted.

'Wow. So you're better then me. What are you going to do about it, huh? Our parents died liking me better then you, can't change that.'

'Pack your things and get out! I won't be putting up with your stupid ego or your inappropriate comments about my wife any longer!'

Dave left 20 minutes later.

'I'm very proud of you for sticking up for yourself like that.' Hetty said.

'Wasn't just me I was sticking up for. 1 rule that he had when he was dating back in school: Never date small women.' Granger responded.

'Just glad you dealt with him before I could. Otherwise, we'd probably have a bloody mess on our hands!' (chuckles).

(Smirks) 'Probably'