Jonathan 

The day he took me to visit his brother I was not prepared.  I had a tough week myself, and a surprise visit on a Monday after work was not in  the intiniary.   He text me around noon asking if I would go with him for a visit after work, so we were on the road by 5pm.  I’d heard so much about him already, it was just like meeting your favorite celebrity.

We arrived, and my boyfriend poured three shots.  He talked about his niece’s baseball game.  He talked about our apartment, and the latest thing his dad said that cracked him up.  He reminisced to back when they used to sneak out at night, and walk to the city.  And the time their cow got loose and took off down the highway. 
Then he left for a second.  Walked away to say hello to an old friend.  I sat in silence for a moment.  Staring at the face I knew the rest of the family knew so much better.  The family I also considered my own.  I wish we’d met sooner.  I wish we’d met in a different way.  Tears rolled down my cheeks as I sobbed and bragged to him about his family.  My fingers trembled as they traced the hem in my pants, desperately grabbing at anything in reach.  I was sitting cross legged on the ground in my boyfriends jacket, wiping my tears as I caught the movements of him walking back to us.

“You ready?” My boyfriend asked, reaching for his glass of whiskey, and nudging me to follow.  I shoved my glass to the middle cheersing to the boys, and then poured it back.  Trying to hide my soggy cheeks.

“I’m gonna let Micaela take your shot this year bro.  I love you.” He began to pack up my bag.  I threw the next shot back.  My boyfriend grabbed my hand and guided me through a field of graves.  The sun setting behind the flowers left by loved ones.  The first time I ever met his brother.