#papipascaaaal

A decade later and here you are, working alongside him and his brother Tommy to build and create houses worth making homes. 

It was the start to another mundane work week. Normally, there’s a few hiccups here and there but this week was anything but normal. Your nerves have been pulled apart like frayed strings by Joel. He’s been unreasonably late for everything this week. On Tuesday, around 6:30 pm, he was supposed to go with you to Home Depot and help you pick a new shade of some off- white paint, for the trimming on the door he recently repaired in your office. He was two and half hours late and you had already gotten into your pajamas by the time he arrived. On Wednesday, you rescheduled for around 3:00 pm to get the paint and to grab his daughter Sarah from her Uncle Tommy’s house, so that the three of you could get dinner at the new steakhouse in town. He was once again far too late and Sarah had to spend another night at Tommy’s. You tried for it all again on Friday and Saturday, but once it got to Sunday morning and Joel kept coming up with the same excuses repeatedly; you ultimately gave up.

Monday came around like always, lonely and far too quick. The first notification you saw amongst the myriad of work emails, was a five missed calls from Joel. 

He never calls that many times. You thought and picked up your phone to return his call.

The line rang twice before he picked up. “Oh, thank fucking God you finally called me back, I was getting worried.” You were confused. “Joel what ‘n the fuck are you talkin’ about, you know it’s my day off.” You’re sure he can hear the tone of annoyance in your voice.

“Look, woman, I’ve been callin’ you all day, it’s 1 in the afternoon and we had plans at 10 this mornin’.” You can’t help but scoff at the audacity he has to mention the time of day. “Excuse me sir, but you’ve been late every single time we’ve had plans this week. You don’t get to tell me I’m late to anything.” You hear his brother in the back laughing. “Tommy, quit your laughin’. Now, look, I know I’ve been late to everything this week, but let me explain.” He waits on the other end to get a response, but to no avail. 

A few silent moments pass before he speaks again, “it’s your birthday in a few days and I was planning this thing with Sarah and Tommy. I didn’t want any of us ruinin’ that, but…” He lingers on the last word and there’s a softening smile growing on your clenched face. Joel has never been the best with birthdays, even with his own kid. He hasn’t remembered your birthday a few times during your decade’s long friendship.

“But what, Miller?” Your tone has noticeably changed since the beginning of the conversation. “Well, I knew you were going to be off again for a whole week starting Thursday, so-” You hear a knock at your door.

 It couldn’t be, right? 

You open your door to find Joel and Tommy standing broad shoulder to broad shoulder behind Sarah, who no doubt did the knocking. You hang up your phone and stifle a small giggle. 

“Well, hello.” It’s all you can seem to muster as you take in the small balloon bouquet Tommy is holding, the not so small bouquet of your favorite flowers, daisies, Joel is holding and the little gift bag Sarah has in her hand. “Guys, my birthday isn't for another 4 days,” you smile out. 

The 15 year old speaks first, “well, dad said he had to make it up to you for missing your birthday for the past 3 years and he felt bad for lying to you all week about why he couldn’t finish the reno on your house.” Joel’s half smirk turns into a frown when he looks at the back of Sarah’s head. “Is that so?," you give Joel a half annoyed look. You’ve thrown him birthday parties almost every year, early ones even.

“That’s not the whole story, can we come in?” Tommy cuts in and you stand out of the way, bringing the door to meet the stopper near the floor, letting the three Millers into your home.

You all sit at your dining table after each of them hands you your gifts. Joel sitting to your right, Sarah on your left and Tommy across the table. “So, what’s the whole story then?” You shoot Joel a glare, his eyes go soft, something you’ve only seen grace his face a few times. “I planned a trip for you, Sarah n’ I, a trip to Galveston, hotel, dinner, beach time. All of it planned, took me all week after work and then some to get everything right,” You hear a sort of excitement coating every word that leaves his mouth and you can’t help but hang onto every one. 

Why the fuck are you feeling this way?

“Joel what the hell? I thought you were just trying to tell me you didn’t want to be my best friend anymore, with all the ignoring and excuses. Thank you so much” You chuckle and lightly punch his left arm. Tommy gives you a look like he knows how you feel about his brother before you know.

“We’re leaving Friday morning, dad’s driving,” Sarah rolls her eyes and continues, “means I’ll have to listen to all his old music.” 

Tommy joins you in laughing at Sarah’s remark and both of you look at Joel. “Come help me look at my closet for clothes, Sarah, I need a teenager's opinion on what’s cute and whatnot.” You stand and take Sarah’s hand, the both of you giddy about the inevitable fashion show that’s about to happen.

The two men sit silent with smiles on their faces as they watch you walk upstairs. “Joel, you love her don’t you?” Tommy is straight to the point as always and Joel is snapped out of whatever day dream he’s put himself into. “Love? Abso-fuckin’-lutely,” thank god you turned on some poppy music loud as hell so you can’t hear anything being said in your kitchen. 

“Then tell her already, I know she ain’t been in a real relationship since y’all became as close as y’all are now, and you’ve been single for what, seven years now?” Tommy just wants you and his brother happy, but seeing you happy together would make him the happiest. “I don’t want to ruin what we have, man. We’re good bein' best friends, she seems really good after all these years of strugglin’, the last thing I need is to see her in a bad spot again.” His voice is soft and considerate when he speaks to his little brother about you. 

Sarah runs downstairs wearing one of your dresses that you’d had since you were her age. You were only holding onto it for sentimental value. The men smile when they see her lit up face and then Joel looks at you. “Open your gift! I hope you like it a lot,” you smile at her and grab the small pink bag off the table before taking the white tissue paper out. In the bag is a small white box with James Avery written on it, “Guys! You really didn’t have to do all this.” The box contains a rather expensive retired UT charm  for your bracelet full of Texas themed charms. You give a soft ‘thank you’ to the both of them followed by a hug.

After a few moments of a small conversation the oldest Miller speaks up. “We’ll be on our way now, gotta get ready for this trip, get yourself some more sleep.” Joel looks at you with a weak smile patting Sarah on the back as he stands from the table in unison with Tommy.