Brother Sharpens Brother

Unpacking

                             7. Unpacking 

Wu:

    Wu stepped down the stairs at a casual pace heading for the kitchen with the intent of finding something in the fridge to tide him over until dinner. When he reached the kitchen he stifled a yawn, opening up a cabinet and taking a small box of Oolong tea out of the cabinet. He paused for a moment, looking at the tin of loose green tea behind it tied with a Christmas ribbon. Running a finger over the handmade tag tied to the ribbon, he set his jaw reading over the poor penmanship with an upturned corner of his lips. 

Merry Christmas Uncle Wu!!

From Lloyd 

    His nephew had only been nine when he gifted him the tin. Those years were easier for his family. There wasn't as much strain between him and his brother's wife and son. If he could wish for anything, it would be that he could somehow right the wrongs Misako claims he made against his nephew. She had ordered no contact with the boy five years ago and for Wu, it was like losing a part of his brother all over again. His father was gone, and he hadn't heard from his brother in almost a decade, the sudden order from the boy's mother nearly broke him. He sighed and closed the cabinet door, turning to the stovetop and grabbing the kettle before he felt something pounce on his foot. Looking down at his feet, the old man chuckled at Zane's furry companion.

    "Why, hello little one. I'm assuming you are ready for some dinner as I am, yes?" He asked in amusement. The puppy wagged his tail, letting out a small yap in response before whining impatiently. Before he could walk into the pantry for the puppy chow Jay entered the room, mumbling to himself in confusion as he reads a therapy pamphlet aloud. "This is stupid. I don't see how this would help at all." He groans, tossing the advertisement on the countertop and scooping the puppy up in his arms as he approaches Wu. Wu turns, filling the dog bowl halfway as he raises his brow patiently. 

    "Oh? What part of Mr. Collins's request is unsatisfactory to you?" The man asks, placing the bowl on the floor, the puppy wiggling excitedly in Jay's arms and almost falling as he sees his next meal. Jay scoffs as he lets the pup down, straightening back up and leaning moodily against the counter. "It's worded as if therapy is some kind of spiritual fix-all and everyone will get all of my problems and relate or whatever. I hate it. I don't get why he even wants me to go to a place like that. I don't need fixed." Jay growls, and Wu lets him speak before trying to find the right response.

    Wu shakes his head in agreement, "Correct, you do not need 'fixed' as you put it. Having gone through dangerous or traumatic situations doesn't make you any less than you were beforehand. That being said, Mr. Collins' motive behind introducing you to a therapist has nothing to do with making sure you 'get fixed' ; he only wishes for you to have another person in your corner to help you navigate through the aftermath and heal." 

    Jay looked thoughtfully at the floor, in a fight between his common sense and pride. Wu picked the pamphlet up and looked at it before handing it back to the freckled teen. "You'll never know unless you try, and what better time than the present?" The old man chuckled, placing a reassuring hand on Jay's shoulder, and for once, the boy didn't flinch or freeze up, he only smiled.