The Conditions of Will

by Jessa Hastings

Dominican Republic

5 stars already, no need to convince me more

“Gige, I need your help,” Oliver says solemnly. “What’s up?” Tenny says, squaring up. “I can help.” I roll my eyes without looking at him. Oliver pauses dramatically, glancing between the three of us. “I need you to tell me whether the guy at the register is gay.” “I can’t help,” Tenny says with a headshake, taking an unconscious step back.

Tenny trying to heal his relationship with his brothers was one of my favorite parts

“Gigi.” Maryanne sniffs again. “I was thinking today maybe we could do something fun together. Like, go shopping?” “Oh!” coos our mom. “That would be lovely! Wouldn’t it, sweetheart?” She looks at me expectantly. “Um.” I shake my head. “No.” Oliver’s very still on the other side of Sam. Maryanne’s face falters. “No, I’m sorry. That came out wrong. I meant, ‘fuck no.’”

“Have mine,” he tells me, offering me his mug, but I don’t notice what’s in his hands because I’m distracted (always distracted) by his face. “Your what?” “I meant my coffee, but…” He smiles. “You can have my—fuck—have whatever you want. Have everything.”

“Did we just have our first fight?” I pull back my head in false surprise. “Hold on, sorry, do you believe in ‘we’s’?” He sniffs a laugh. “Oh, so we’re about to have our second…”