Which makes me feel worse about Toph. If we’d been better friends, we would have kept in contact. It was dumb to think there was a chance we might make it. I can’t believe Matt, of all people, was the one to point out how poorly I handled it. And, honestly, now that I’ve had time to reflect on it, Toph isn’t even that huge of a loss. It only hurts so much to think about him because of Bridgette. How could she keep this a secret from me? Her betrayal is infinitely more painful.
I didn’t have anywhere to go this New Year’s, so Seany and I are staying in. Mom went out with some work friends. I order a cheese pizza, and we
watch The Phantom Menace. This is how much I want to prove to my brother I love him—I’l sit through Jar Jar-freaking-Binks. Afterward, he drags out the action figures while we watch the Times Square countdown on television. “Pkschoo! Pkschoo!” Han Solo fires at my Storm Trooper before ducking
behind a sofa cushion for cover.
“It’s a good thing I wore my laser-proof jacket,” I say, marching forward.
“There’s no such thing as a laser-proof jacket!You’re DEAD!” Han goes running across the back of the couch. “YEHH-AHHHH!”
I pick up Queen Amidala. “Han, you’re in danger! Go the other way! The Storm Trooper is wearing his laser-proof jacket.”
“An-nuhhhh, stop! Pkschoo pkschoo! ”
“Fine,” Amidala says. “Leave it to a woman to do a man’s work.” She bashes the Storm Trooper’s head with her own. “GHHNNOOOO!” He fal s off the
couch.
Han jumps down to the carpet and begins shooting again.
I pick up young Obi-Wan. “Ooo, Amidala. You look radiant. Kiss kiss kiss.”
“No!” Seany snatches Obi-Wan from my hand. “No kissing.”
I pul another figure from Seany’s toy box. It’s a Sand Person, the one Bridgette must have bought him. Oh, well . “Ooo, Amidala. Kiss kiss kiss.”
“Sand People don’t kiss! They ATTACK! RARRRRR!” He steals this one, too, but then pauses to examine its bumpy little head. “Why aren’t you talking
to Bridge?” he asks suddenly. “Did she hurt your feelings?”
I’m startled. “Yes, Sean. She did something that wasn’t very nice.”
“Does that mean she’s not going to babysit me anymore?”
“No, I’m sure she will . She likes you.”
“I don’t like her.”
“Sean!”
“She made you cry.You cry all the time now.” He throws the Sand Person in the bottom of his box. “Do you stil have the one you bought me?”
I smile. I get my backpack and start to hand the toy over, but something nags at me. Sigh. “You can have this on one condition. You have to be nice to her. It’s either Bridgette or Granddad, those are Mom’s only babysitting options. And Granddad’s getting too old for this.” I gesture toward the pile of
discarded action figures.
“Okay,” he says shyly. I give him the package, and he cradles it. “Thank you.”
The kitchen phone rings. Mom checking up on us, no doubt. Seany gets up to answer it while I look for a suitable new boyfriend for Amidala. “I don’t
understand you,” he says. “Please speak English.”
“Sean? Who is it? Just hang up.” Aha! Luke Skywalker! The one missing a hand, but oh well . Amidala and Luke kiss. Wait. Isn’t she his mom? I toss
Luke aside, as if he’s personal y offended me, and dig through the box again.
“Your voice is weird.Yeah, she’s here.”