when the past comes back

"How did you find me?" Brian was practically in a state of shock when he saw Jay at the door.

"Oh, a little bird told me," Jay cracked a smile. "Your little sister told me."

In fact, he lived with Brian's little sister and mom. He was the sole provider at the moment, taking care of Brian's family. Brian's little sister just had Jay's baby a little over a month of go.

Brian pressed his lips tight. Sure, he hadn't given his mom and sister much information, but now he felt his family had been stolen from him. Although, he hadn't lived with him much in Sioux City. Brian didn't think he was jealous, but Jay knew them way more than he did.

It was true Brian had been torn from his family long ago when his parents split up. He'd stayed with his Dad on the Rez and his mom moved away. It was a sad part of his life. He'd never known what normal meant, and here he was looking at the face he'd grown up with. How in the world had Jay ever met his sister?

"Oh, you know, your mom was my mom's best friend." Jay shrugged, edging in as if they could stay up all night catching up. Jay's mom passed away a few years back. Brian had forgotten.

 Jay showed Brian a few pictures of the baby and Brian's sister on his smartphone. They hadn't gotten married yet. It didn't sound they were in any hurry. They had a baby girl they'd named Loretta, after Jay's mother, but they called her Lorey.

Brian felt frazzled after spending fifteen minutes with his friend. Of course, he did his best to tell him about Ivy. Perhaps they were in the same boat, but he was certain Jay was doing more, taking care of Brian's family. Jay was driving a beer truck these days.

Of course, Ivy was speechless. She looked at Jay as if he might be some teen idol, but he was in his late twenties. Brian winced, thinking his little sister wasn't even Ivy's age. A part of him didn't like this at all. Yet, he couldn't think of anyone better than his friend Jay.

He thought of the time when  Jay wouldn't go out on the deer hunt. He didn't like shooting, but the knives were sharpen when everyone got back with their game. He helped skin the animals along with the processing for freezing the meat.

Brian hugged himself hard. There was nothing lazy about Jay. Brian couldn't help but envy him.