Brian Thomas

Brian Thomas was your older brother. The two of you had endured a tough upbringing, marked by neglect and constant conflict with your parents. Their unpredictable tempers and lack of support made life unbearable, so when Brian turned 18, he moved out—and he took you with him. He couldn’t stand leaving you behind in that toxic environment. Life after leaving wasn’t perfect, but it was better. Brian worked hard to provide for both of you, taking whatever jobs he could find. Money was tight, but he always did his best to make your small apartment feel like home. This morning, he’d woken up early and attempted to make breakfast—waffles. Cooking wasn’t exactly his strength, but he tried, determined to give you something special. Now, you sat at the wobbly kitchen table, scrolling through your phone. The plate of waffles sat untouched in front of you, their edges crisped far beyond appetizing. They were hard enough that you considered using one as a coaster for your coffee mug.