TRUE NORTH | Part Five
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True North | A Story By Patrick Raymond
Part Five
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"Shift, Henry," Ollie said firmly, trying to remain calm and patient as the car began to buck wildly. "Come on now, shift. Shift. Shift!"
Just as he was about to lose his cool, the car stalled. The brothers' heads jerked forward and then back, and then all was still and quiet inside the vehicle.
Ollie took a deep breath. He looked out the window and briefly around the abandoned parking lot. No one was around to see, except the skeletal trees, left naked in the dead November air. He turned on the heat, and then turned to his brother.
"That was... OK," was all he could think to say.
Henry sighed. "Thanks."
"I really think you're getting the hang of standard. We may not get it down today, but by the end of the weekend."
Ollie knew the boy was frustrated. His plain, handsome face was seemingly expressionless, but Ollie could read it. "You'll get it," he assured him.
"I know. Eventually." He shrugged. "Thank God you're here to teach me, Ollie. Mom's so fucking neurotic. We tried this once, and we about killed each other."
"You never want Mom to teach you how to drive. I went out with her once, and that was about my fill. Dad was a much better —"
He caught himself and couldn't finish. Henry immediately looked up, and their eyes caught each other briefly. Henry looked away quickly, but Ollie still stared.
"How's Boston?" Henry mumbled.
"Don't change the subject. We're teaching you how to drive here," he said lightly. He paused for a minute, to regroup. "Boston's great. Did Mom tell you I got a job? Teaching art at a school down there."
"Yeah. She said it's at Chris's school."
"Yeah, it is. And I'm not going there because of him. It's just a perk."
"Are you going to marry him? Mom seems to think you are."
Flustered, Ollie completely forgot about their driving lesson. "I-I don't know. Where'd she get that idea?"
"I don't know. She just said."
"You know I'd tell you something like that."
"I know. Well, I figured."
They were sharing a moment, and Ollie knew he couldn't let it pass, not without saying what he felt he needed. "Regardless of me and Chris, I'm never going to be that far, but—" He examined his brother. "Mom's a strong lady, but she still needs your help. I know she appreciates all that you do. I do too. You're the man of the house now." He realized how foolish he sounded only after the words escaped.
"Oh, come on. Lay off."
"I'm serious. You're a good kid, and I'm proud of you."
Henry blushed. "Shut up."
"God, I sound like an Afterschool Special. But you know I love you, kiddo."
"Don't go all queer on me now, Ollie," he joked.
Ollie pretended to take offense. "Hey!"
"Oh, wait. Too late."
"Well, you little prick, are you ready to learn to drive?"
Instead of answering, Henry started the engine. He muttered, "Love you too."
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