Jake & Bill no longer share an address

Jake Marks gives a fuck. This is new. This is not what he expected after going to the bakery with Bill. This is not what he expected after their millionth fistfight. He’s not sure what to do about this feeling.

Bill moved out over the weekend, and their mother is making breakfast for their dad and Jake. Jake’s face is still bruised and cut from the thunderstorm that was his brother on Saturday night. Jake says, “I love you, Mom,” and she turns green.

“What did you do?” she says.

Jake holds his hands out.

“What’s got into you?” Mr. Marks asks.

“Damn. I can’t say something nice?”

When the home phone rings, Jake jumps. His parents notice. It’s a telemarketer on the phone, and Mrs. Marks says something in Spanish to her. Swearing, Jake guesses from her tone.

“I wish I’d have learned Spanish from you,” he says.

Jake’s parents stare at him.

“I’m serious,” he says. “It’s good to know Spanish these days.” He heard that from his guidance counselor a year ago. Not like Jake was ever going to take Spanish.

Jake eats his breakfast and goes upstairs to get ready for school. Stops on the steps and listens to his parents talking: . . . Probably has something to do with Bill moving out . . . Can’t wait until we’re on the other side of that damn wedding . . . Nice to see him happier, though . . .

Jake hadn’t recognized that. She’s right. He’s happier. Happier now that Bill has a best buddy named Jeff and a fiancée named Ashley. Happier now that Bill has a job, even though Bill gets off early enough to still come after school to recruit with the snake. Jake has a new plan for that. He doesn’t want to recruit anyone for anything. He’s going to sneak out the gym doors and walk home by himself. He’s looking forward to the exercise.