Chapter 2 - WHY BLAKE COMES FIRST
Ethan took June home.
His wife, Sarah, cleaned frosting from June’s hair while Ethan paced the kitchen.
June kept asking:
“Did I ruin my birthday?”
“No.”
“Grandpa was mad.”
“He was wrong.”
“Is Blake mad at me?”
Ethan stopped pacing.
“Blake is responsible for what Blake did.”
June nodded but did not look convinced.
That hurt.
Even at ten, she had already learned the family rule.
If Blake behaved badly, everyone asked what upset him.
If June reacted, everyone asked why she made things worse.
Sarah asked Ethan:
“What did your dad mean about Aaron?”
“I don’t know.”
“That’s not true.”
Ethan sat down.
For years, Richard had used Aaron’s death to justify Blake’s special treatment.
Blake lost his father.
Blake needs more.
Blake has carried enough.
At first Ethan agreed.
Blake was only a baby when Aaron died.
Of course the family protected him.
But protection became preference.
Preference became entitlement.
At Christmas, Blake opened gifts first.
At vacations, Blake chose rooms.
At restaurants, Blake decided where everyone sat.
When June complained, Margaret said:
“He lost his father. You still have yours.”
A child could never answer that.
Then Sarah said:
“Your father threatened to disinherit June because you defended her.”
Ethan nodded.
“That’s not grief.”
“No.”
“So what is it?”
Ethan thought about Richard’s words.
What your brother died for.
The phrase made no sense.
Aaron died in a car accident on Blackstone Pass.
He had been driving to a winter cabin.
That was all Ethan knew.
Then his phone rang.
Aunt Helen.
Richard’s younger sister.
Ethan answered.
Helen said:
“I heard what happened.”
“From who?”
“Your mother.”
Ethan laughed bitterly.
“Of course.”
Helen paused.
Then:
“Ethan, if Richard mentioned Aaron’s accident, do not let him rewrite it again.”
Ethan froze.
“Rewrite what?”
Helen went quiet.
May you like
Then said:
“Ask him why Aaron was on Blackstone Pass that night.”
