Mind the Code: The Problem with Revenge

Play Date

"What are we having for dinner?" DJ perked cutely in the back seat, coming back from school.

I peeked at him through the rear view mirror, and he was bobbing his head lightly to the sound of the quiet music I put on. He looked so glum, and the bobbing made it obvious he was trying to cheer up. "What's wrong, buddy?" I asked him.

He looked up and met my eyes through the mirror. I focused back on the road. "Nothing. What's for dinner?" He repeated.

I sighed, feeling he would tell me soon enough. "I don't know."

"You don't know?" He asked in confusion.

"No, I don't. It's a surprise."

He had a thoughtful expression. "Is Bryan bringing us dinner?"

I wondered what DJ would do. Considering he didn't like Alex. "No." I answered truthfully.

"Then who?"

I did hesitate. "Alex."

DJ said nothing after that. Instead looked as if something was bothering him all day.

I guess I was no different, sitting and watching as my little brother boredly flipped through pages in his little book that lacked pictures. That kid was too smart for his own good.

His face looked desolately at each page, each word as if it'd been the thousandth time he had read it. I didn't know what to do.

The doorbell rang, and I went by to get it, letting Alex in. He grinned happily, bringing in his live energy into our negative and dull house. He looked different. I looked at him funny. "This is actually, well, not that bad. I'm free on a Friday night!" He said in answer to my look, and dropping the food on the counter.

"That's great, Alex." I told him, only more focused on DJ than anything else. His little brows were furrowed as he squinted his eyes at his book.

Alex caught my look and went quiet. "Is everything okay?"

I watched my brother, not knowing what to say.

"Should I come back later?"

Oh how I wanted to just nod and say yes, tell him to leave us be while I figure everything in my life out, but he brought us dinner. I'd be such a bitch to kick him out like that.

I finally looked back at him, "No, you're fine." Then, lowering my voice, "I don't know what's wrong with DJ."

Alex watched my little brother as well, nodding his head and walking over there. I became nervous, knowing the two of them didn't exactly favorite each other.

Alex squatted down casually by my brother, nudging him softly and saying something. DJ looked like such a little man then, matching Alex's casualty, sitting up on the couch and politely looking him in the eye. I didn't know what they were saying, so I turned to get the dinner set up.

All he really brought was pasta- and DJ and I loved pasta. They were still talking when I was finished, but it seemed DJ hadn't eased up the slightest. I resisted a frown. "Guys," I called, and they came right away.

"Thanks, by the way." I told Alex when we sat and ate.

"No problem, Princess." He said, nudging me.

"So DJ, what'd you do at school today?"

The poor little boy only shrugged, continuing to eat his food while I felt my mood darken at his. It made me so sad to see him that way, glum and sleepy.

"Do you like football?" Alex suddenly asked my brother.

The little boy looked up, giving another casual shrug. "I play football." Alex added on.