“Nice. I love Dead Kennedys and Bad Religion. Do you know Propagandhi?”
Elly nodded, totally lost. Was he talking about propaganda? Or was that the name of the band?
“Well, they were this Canadian band, none of that bubble gum anarchy stuff. They are really big in the Canadian live punk scene.”
“Oh, well, how interesting.” Elly was vaguely aware of how much she sounded like a grandmother. They paused for a minute as Carlie put their drinks down and flounced off, her short shorts taunting Dennis with each jiggle.
“What kind of music do you like, I mean, besides Celine Dion?”
“Oh, I don’t really like her. I just know that song.” She was lying again.
“Well, you seemed to know it really well.” Dennis gave a chuckle. Think, she told herself, what are some of the weird artists that Isaac, her ex-boyfriend/self-indulgent musician used to listen to? She drew a blank. “I like the Beatles.”
He gave her an exasperated look. “Sellouts.”
Elly tapped her fingers on her lips nervously. Dennis stared at her. “I do that.” He said, without any emotion. “My dad does … he did that, too. You know, he used to. Before he died.”
“Oh.” Elly tucked her hands into her lap. “Sorry.”
“No, I mean, it’s actually nice to see. That we do the same thing. You know.”
Elly saw fat tears well up in his large eyes before he blinked them quickly away. Tell me everything about you, she wanted to demand. Who are you? What do you think about me? What happens next? She couldn’t believe that with all the questions bursting from her chest that they were chatting about bands. This is ridiculous. Maybe I’ll try to talk to him about something real while we eat, she decided.
Dennis fiddled with his napkin, ripping it into tiny pieces. “So, do you like The X-Files?”
“What?”
“The X-Files, it’s like an old show, they play it in reruns all the time?”
“Oh … I don’t really watch TV. I mean, I do every once in a while. I like shows where all the women date the one guy and get a rose at the end….”
Dennis looked disgusted. “That stuff is such trash.” Then his face went from snide to regretful. They sat in silence, the most awkward moment of Elly’s life. This was definitely not how she pictured starting a relationship with her new brother.
Carlie finally brought their food, which Dennis proceeded to consume ravenously, barbecue sauce dripping down his chin onto his lap. He’s like a feral animal.
Elly took a bite of her chicken sandwich, chewing slowly, and attempted to look casual. “So, what is your plan?”
Dennis looked up from his burger, alarmed. “My plan?”
Elly tried to look nonchalant as she sipped her iced tea. “Yeah, you know, I mean, what do you plan to do after this?”
He stared back at her, his eyes looking panicked. “My plan was to find you.” Without any warning, Dennis violently shoved his plate away. “So I guess you want me to get out of your hair right?”
Elly’s heart began to twist in her chest. “No, not at all, I’m so happy to meet you….”
“And now you can move on with your life, huh? With your jerkbag boyfriend and your spoiled-brat flower shop? Don’t want some … fat loser hanging around you?” Dennis’s vulnerability was etched into every harsh word.
“No, wait, what? Dennis, slow down….” What was happening? Elly desperately reached for his hand.
He pulled it back violently. “I’m not your charity case!” he snapped. “If you don’t want anything to do with me, you should have just said so, and not taken me out to dinner to tell me.” He went to stand up in the booth, but his large tummy got caught, making the table lurch up forcefully. Elly’s elbow ended up in a pile of barbecue sauce. “Dammit!” he cried, shoving himself out of the booth and running out the door.
Elly sat at the table, stunned, barbecue sauce dripping down her bare arm. What just happened?
Carlie walked over to the table. “Um, is everything okay?”
Elly stood up. “Yeah, sorry, it’s just….” She took a deep breath. Say it. “My brother was upset, I … I have to go get him.”
Carlie looked uncomfortable. “I can’t let you leave without paying.”
Elly gave her a desperate look as she grabbed her purse. “I’m coming right back, I promise.”
Carlie shook her head. “Since we’re close to the college, we get a lot of people who eat and run.”