The Carmichael Sunshine

Chapter 2

Day two with Connor Carmichael was almost worse than day one. He was going to be beyond a PITA. A PITA level 2. I'd have to bring in special ops for this one.

He hated taking his medicine.

He hated being told to stay in bed.

He hated me.

And I didn't care.

The only other person in the house, Maggie, was absolutely no help.

His sister, Brenna, showed up later in the afternoon to visit with him. He barely spoke to her. Instead, I found myself talking to Brenna as Connor sat angrily on his laptop in bed.

Brenna was taking classes at Boston College, so we talked about that.

"Did you go to school?" she asked me politely.

"I did," I nodded, "went to Tufts."

"Dang," her eyebrows shot up, "Good for you!"

"Thanks," I smiled.

"What did you study?" she asked.

"Biology. I was pre-med."

Brenna smiled, "That's insane. Good for you."

"Thank you," I said politely.

I could feel Connor Carmichael listening, but he didn't look from his laptop.

"Where did you go to medical school?"

"I was actually almost a semester in at Tufts when I had to drop out."

Brenna cocked her head, a small look of concern on her face. I could tell she wanted to ask, but didn't.

I was thankful for that. I sat up and cleared my throat, "It's time for your antibiotic."

Connor sighed, but took the pill I handed him.

"Do you need anything else?" I asked after he took it.

"No."

Of course not.

Brenna gave her brother a look then got up and grabbed her purse, "Well, I should head out and let you rest."

"Thank god," Connor muttered.

We both looked at him.

Brenna smiled and rolled her eyes, turning to me, "Walk me out?"

"Sure!"

She and I left the room together and made our way down the steps.

"My brother...he's...a lot," she said quietly. I laughed.

"Nothing I can't handle," I assured her.

Brenna smiled politely, "It's been a weird few years. We lost my dad two years ago."

"I'm so sorry."

Brenna nodded, something flickering over her eyes, "Since then, Connor's taken over the family business, and, well, it's been a lot."

I didn't ask what that business was.

Part of me wasn't sure I wanted to know.