Eyes Wide Open Read Online Free Page B

me,” Charlie said. “I can feel it.”
    But as he picked up the coffee cup, something changed. “I need you to promise me something, Jay . . .”
    â€œSure.” I was twenty-eight then, still in med school. Kathy and I weren’t even married yet.
    â€œI need you to promise me you’ll take care of him. Whatever happens to me, okay? I need to know Evan’ll be safe.”
    â€œNothing’s going to happen to you, Charlie. Of course he’ll be safe . . .”
    â€œNo.” There was something dark and brooding in his eyes, a storm massing. “I need you to promise me, Jay, that whatever happens, you’ll be there for him.”
    I said, “Of course I’ll be there, Charlie.” I met his worried eyes. “You have my word.”
    He smiled, relieved. “I knew I could count on you, buddy. I just hope—”
    Someone moved behind us on the line and he never finished. But now, all these years later, I thought I knew what he was about to say.
    I only hope he doesn’t have what I have .
    My son. The demons in his brain.
    I only pray his path is easier.
    He’d asked me, not Dad. And sitting under his carport, I couldn’t help but wonder: If it had all somehow worked out, back in that stupid salon . . .
    If they had lived in a place without cracks in the walls . . . If their boy could have grown up proud, instead of filled with shame and anger . . .
    Would his fate have been different or the same?
    Even if the demons had found him, would my nephew still be alive?

Chapter Five
    I went around the side through a brown, patchy courtyard, past a broken plastic kiddie car on its side. I stopped outside apartment two, wincing at what smelled like dog urine. Lurid, brightly colored graffiti spread all over the asphalt wall.
    I knocked on the door.
    After a short while I saw the curtains part, and the door opened. Gabriella appeared in a blue terry robe. She was normally a pretty woman with short blond hair, a nice shape, and a deep, throaty laugh, but now her cheeks were sunken and pale, her eyes raw from tears, her hair matted and unkempt. As she let me in she kind of turned away, almost unable to face me. “I’m sorry that you have to see me this way, Jay . . .”
    â€œIt’s okay, Gabby, it’s okay,” I said. We hugged, and I felt her latch on to me. It always made me feel a bit awkward, her gratitude for me for how we helped them get by. “I’m so sorry, Gabriella.”
    â€œOh, you don’t know what it’s like.” She moaned, anguish etched into the lines around her eyes. “I never thought I would ever feel something as difficult as this. Never to see my son again. My heart breaks, Jay . . .”
    â€œI know.” I kept hugging her. “I know.”
    â€œYour brother is not so good.” She pulled away, brushing the hair out of her eyes. “I don’t know how he’s going to make it, Jay. You’ll see for yourself. He’s old now, and Evan was all we had. I’m glad you’re here.”
    She led me inside. The place was small. Still, it was neat and tastefully decorated, with floral pillows and pictures of her family in Colombia and even some watercolors done by Charlie’s mother.
    I heard a familiar voice on the stairs utter quietly, “Hi, Jay.”
    My brother came down. He looked grayer, older, hunched a little in the shoulders, a shadow of what I last recalled. His beard was flecked with gray now, his hair straggly and wild. Charlie always had a twinkle in his eyes and an irresistible, wiry grin. It was what always captivated the girls. But nothing seemed to be there now. He wore a pair of ragged sweatpants and a brown flannel shirt. He forced a smile. “I’m glad you came, little brother . . .”
    â€œOf course I came, Charlie.”
    â€œC’mere . . .” He got to the bottom of the