Lesson 67- When someone is sick, be kind and helpful

Torin pulls out the pair of shot glasses and reads the writing on them out loud.
“Alcohol won’t solve my problems, but it’s worth a shot.” He presses his lips together and I can tell he’s fighting the urge to laugh. The face he makes causes ME to burst out laughing and that breaks his self control and all of a sudden we’re both laughing hysterically. When we finally get a hold of ourselves, Torin turns to me with a raised eyebrow.
“What made you decide to get these?” He asks. I shrug.
“No real reason, I just thought it might make you smile.” I answer with a grin. Clearly it worked. I sit and eat my dinner while Torin sort of sits there and rolls the shot glasses around between his fingers. He seems really pleased with the gift, he also doesn’t seem particularly inclined to leave. He’s just relaxing in the recliner, holding the shot glasses and silently keeping me company while I finish my meal. It should be awkward but it’s really not. Once I’m fed and happy, I search around for something to talk about. He’s still hanging around after all.
“So… Kyle will be back tomorrow? Is he actually well enough to come back? I’ve been really worried since I haven’t gotten to speak to him.” I sigh and Torin frowns.
“If you’re that worried, you could just ca-” He freezes mid sentence as he realises what he’s saying.
“Call him?” I tentatively finish his sentence. He just sits there silently but I keep pushing.
“Is that a real offer? Because I really would like to.” I prompt him. Torin sighs and after a long moment, he pulls his phone out of his pocket. He taps the screen a few times then holds it out to me. I can see the reluctance in his posture. He’s so tense. I have to fight the urge to actually snatch the phone from him. He’s already opened it to Kyle’s contact. All I have to do is tap to dial. Apparently he doesn’t want to risk me going through his phone. He’s literally sitting across from me, what does he think I’m going to do? I roll my eyes and call Kyle.

It rings twice before he answers.
“Hello?” He says, his tone is stiff and formal which confuses me for half a second before I realise that he probably thinks it’s Torin calling.
“Hey Kyle, it’s me.” I say cheerfully.
“Oh, right.” He answers, immediately sounding more relaxed.
“You didn’t steal a phone did you?” He asks suspiciously. I scoff.
“You think Torin would let me steal his phone? And if I DID steal a phone, why would I call you? If I secretly had a phone I would obviously be calling my brother.” I point out. Kyle grunts in reluctant agreement.
“Look it doesn’t make sense to me either, but somehow it seems like something you would do.” He grumbles and I laugh.
“You’re right. I probably WOULD have tried to call you. But AFTER I spoke to my brother.” I decide and Kyle snorts out a laugh.
“Yeah that sounds about right.” He agrees.
“So, now that we’ve clarified that I haven’t stolen this phone and that Torin is in fact standing over me making sure I’m not trying to check in on the ONLY family I have, how are you?” I ask. I know the dig about calling my brother was kind of mean, but I can’t help it. Torin flinches which does make me feel a little guilty but not bad enough to take it back.
“I’m fine.” Kyle answers bluntly.
“Yeah yeah I know you’re tough and you’re a workaholic. I can’t stop you from coming into work or anything. So just tell me the truth. How are you ACTUALLY feeling?” I repeat and Kyle sighs.
“Like someone took a sledgehammer to my brain. But I’m going crazy sitting around at home.” He complains.
“Alright, I’ll see you tomorrow night then.” I answer easily. Kyle is immediately suspicious.
“You aren’t going to try to convince me to stay home? Laura won’t let up about it.” He complains.
“Oh don’t pretend you aren’t loving the attention. And no, I won’t try to convince you to stay home.” I repeat.
“Well… Good. Because you can’t.” Kyle insists.
“Okay. Well, that’s all I was calling for, I’ll see you tomorrow. Bye.” I say quickly and hang up the phone before handing it reluctantly back to Torin.
“You didn’t try to convince him not to come… I thought you might.” He says mildly and I shrug.
“It would be a waste of time. So… By the way, I can’t work tomorrow night. Maybe give Laura a call instead.” I suggest. Torin blinks in surprise.
“...Why? Do you have plans? I know you can’t have somewhere else to be. Or are you feeling unwell? If you’re sick you don’t need to work tonight.” He insists. I shake my head.
“Oh no, I’m fine. I just have other plans tomorrow night.” I explain.
“And what might they be?” He asks curiously. I smirk.
“I’ll be hanging out in the kitchen and keeping an eye on Kyle.” I respond. Torin laughs.
“He’s going to hate that.” He points out and I shrug.
“Not my problem. I can’t convince him to stay home, I won’t waste my time. But if he’s going to be dumb and come into work while recovering from a concussion, then he’s going to have to put up with me babysitting him until I’m confident that he’s okay.” I decide. Torin reaches out and pats the back of my hand lightly.
“You’re very kind. I will call Laura and ask if she can work with Catcher tomorrow.” He promises and I nod.
“Tell her Kyle is coming and that I’ll be watching him. I’m sure she will say yes.” I assure him.
“Oh?”
“Haven’t you noticed how worried she was? Plus Kyle has a huge crush on her.” I confide. Torin blinks.
“He does?”
“Yep.” I nod my head.
“He told you this?” He asks curiously and I shrug.
“Eventually, after some pestering.” I grin and Torin laughs.
“That does sound like you.” He agrees.
“I’m not THAT bad am I?” I wonder and Torin shrugs.
“You are nosy, but in a good way. It’s because you care.” He smiles and I blush a little.
“Plus I have to keep myself entertained around here somehow.” I joke and Torin nods.
“That too.” He agrees.
“Thanks for letting me call Kyle, even if you DID have to hover over me.” I add, pouting a little bit. Childish? Maybe. But not being able to talk to my brother is really getting to me. He pretty much raised me. He must be freaking out by now and he really doesn’t deserve that. Even if for some reason he doesn’t think something terrible has happened to me, he at very least probably thinks I’m angry at him or something. The last time I went more than a few days without speaking to him was because I was angry at him after all. Torin sighs and nods.
“You know I don’t want to hover. I just… I have to.” He says and I shake my head sadly.
“You really don’t have to. You’ll figure that out eventually.” I add and do my best not to be too hurt. He is slowly beginning to trust me more. I know it, he trusts me to keep an eye on his territory when he’s not around. He lets me do whatever I want in the bar and he trusts me when I drag him out there and force him to be around people. Torin doesn’t answer, he just shrugs. Well… That’s not a no at least. I know it bothers him to talk about this. But I can’t just let it drop, not without asking one more question.
“You’ve still got my phone right? My brother… Has he been calling?” I ask nervously.
“Yes.” He answers flatly.
“How many times?” I continue. Torin hesitates.
“A lot.” He responds reluctantly and I sigh.
“Have you answered?” I ask and Torin stares.
“Of course not! What could I possibly tell him?” He demands and I shrug.
“I don’t know. I’m just worried is all. Never mind.” Torin nods and after a moment he gets to his feet, gives me a nod and heads out, clutching his new shot glasses tightly.