Jake & Bill in a strainer

Jake Marks writes letters to his brother, Bill, but never sends them. He’s been doing it since the online therapy. That kooky woman said it might help him work out his feelings. Jake doesn’t know how he feels. He feels like he’s in a blender most days—surrounded by so many ingredients and trying not touch any of them while they all swirl around. It’s dangerous. Never know what you’re going to find in a blender. Never know what you’re getting mixed with.

Bill hasn’t called—not even for bail. Ashley has spent the night at her mother’s house. The wedding is off. The snake escaped from their car and could slither into anywhere, now.

Jake is happy for the snake, happy for Ashley, and happy for himself. Living a lie is more dangerous than any blender/any snake/any brother.

Sometimes at night, he sees the girl in his room. She’s got a lighter. He’s afraid she’s going to burn him alive, but all she does is burn his therapy letters to his brother. It means something. It means he has to stop thinking of Bill as family.