A Family That Favors My Brother No Longer Needs Me

At my brother's and my college celebration dinner.

Mom and Dad had prepared surprise gift boxes for the two of us.

Jim Delgado opened his first.

An eighty-thousand-dollar full haul of Apple products.

He threw his arms around our parents, so moved he teared up.

My box was about the same size as his.

Mom smiled and gestured:

"You two are brothers, cut from the same cloth. Go on, open yours!"

I tore into it, unable to wait.

A giant cake sprang out of the box.

And smashed hard into my face.

I wiped the frosting out of my eyes.

Jim was laughing so hard he could barely stand.

Nadia Delgado patted my shoulder, smiling.

"Just messing with you. We knew Clem would cry once he got emotional, so we set up a little gag to lighten things up."

I wiped a hand down my face.

"So I don't get a graduation gift, is that it?"

Nadia paused.

"Jim got into a good state school. He deserves a reward.

"You barely scraped into some mediocre college. Don't put yourself next to him and try to compare."

Smiling, Mom and Dad turned away to fix Jim's suit.

Nadia dropped me and went to help set up the specs on his new gear.

But my acceptance letter from MIT had been hand-delivered to my parents by the principal himself.

That was half a month ago.

Hadn't they even looked at it?

...

Dad held up the camera, laughing as he recorded Jim's first time in a suit.

Mom stood in front, straightening his tie.

Every look on their faces was pride and tenderness.

Only me.

The suit I'd spent three hours choosing was crumpled now.

Smeared all over with sour, rotten frosting.

As if they'd known the cake would end up on my face.

The thing seemed to have been made with expired ingredients.

The smell of it turned your stomach.

Nadia flicked a hand at me, shooing me off.

"What are you still standing here for? Waiting to gas the guests?

"Go change your clothes, now!"

I held it in.

I didn't let the tears fall.

I turned and fled into the changing room.

Looking at the suit I'd spent three careful hours choosing, ruined.

I knelt on the floor.

Smoothing out the parts that weren't touched by frosting, bit by careful bit.

Still I couldn't stop myself from wiping the corner of my eye.

This was the first time I'd ever worn a suit.

When I learned about this celebration dinner, that I'd get to wear something nice like Jim.

I'd started researching three days ahead.

Standing in the store, comparing options seriously for a long time.

Before I finally settled on this one, the one cut to fit me.

And now, it was ruined.

By the time I came out of the changing room.

I was already wearing a baggy shirt and pants that dragged a little on the floor.

"You should be thankful there were any spare clothes at all. Just make do."

Nadia waved a hand like it was nothing.

"It's not like you're the one this is about anyway."

I clenched my fist.

"This is my celebration dinner too. Mine and Jim's."

"Then how come you didn't get into a good state school like Jim did?"

Nadia laughed.

Jim's suit was set right now.

It made him look sharp, full of confidence.

He clapped my shoulder.

"It's fine, bro. Grades aren't everything.

"A man always finds his way. You might be a little slow upstairs, but at least you've got some muscle on you."

"Don't be so modest, Jim. Who says grades aren't everything?"

Mom shot me a faintly contemptuous glance.

"Grades at least show a person's brains and self-discipline. Without those two things, however your college admissions turned out is most likely how the rest of your life will go."

"Really, Jim, you don't have to run yourself down to spare your brother's pride. He's not that fragile."

Jim waved it off with a smile.

"I'll still stay humble. Humility keeps a man improving!"

"Humble about what? Your dad likes seeing the son he's raised in the palm of his hand hold his head high!"

"That's right. Show off when you've earned it. After all, your scores are the real thing."

The door swung open.

"I'm not too late, am I?"

Elena Fox appeared in the doorway with a big armful of wild roses.

For the first time, a flicker of joy broke through everything I'd been holding down.

Wild roses were my favorite flower.

Mom and Dad might not have bothered to look at my acceptance letter.

But I'd told Elena my good news!

"Lena!"

I stepped forward, delighted.

But she walked right past me.

"Jim, congratulations on getting in."

The roses ended up in Jim's hands.

I turned, dazed.

My brother lit up. "Lena! How did you know I love bluish-purple?"

Then he tossed me a light little arch of the brow.

A smug curl at the corner of his mouth.

"We're going to be at the same school, after all. I should know what you like, shouldn't I?"

Mom beamed. "That's right, it's not every day two of you get into the same university, and a good state school at that. From here on you'll have to look out for each other."

"Lena." I couldn't stop myself from stepping forward. "Didn't you see the messages I sent you?"

Elena blinked. "Oh. Winters up north are cold, sure, but you're not the one going to school there. Why are you worrying about that?"

My shoulders sagged.

I knew.

She hadn't read them.

The day my MIT acceptance letter came, I sent her more than twenty messages, giddy.

Only the last one mentioned worrying about the cold northern winters.

That I might not get used to it.

She'd only seen the last line.

No.

She hadn't even opened the chat.

She'd just glanced at the last message showing in the preview.

"Lena, we may be at the same school now, but don't you go forgetting my brother because of it!"

Jim came up smiling and slung an arm around her shoulders. "You two were classmates for years, walking to school and back together.

"So what if my brother didn't get into a good school? You can't just look down on him for it!"

Elena laughed.

That I was in love with her, Elena.

There was no way she didn't know.

Nobody sits in front of a fire and fails to feel the heat.

"What does he have to do with me?"

Elena flicked a careless glance at me.

Then turned and walked off.

Jim froze for a second.

The smile spread into something smug.

He shot me a look.

And turned and walked off too.

Jim and Elena huddled together, talking about something.

My sister was busy telling her friends how impressive her little brother was.

Only I sat in the corner.

Staring blankly at the orange juice in front of me.

I went to the restroom and came back out.

Mom and Dad were speaking to a guest, all deference. "Professor Thomas.

"This is our younger son. His name is Jim Delgado.

"We've focused on developing his mind for science and engineering since he was small.

"This boy won silver in a physics competition back in high school. He's very passionate about physics.

"Professor Thomas, you said you were still looking for a final protege. We promise you, Jim will not disappoint you!"

Dad nodded gravely. "That's right, Professor Thomas. I'd stake twenty years of my business reputation on it."

I stood a little way off, gripping my cup.

Watching my parents' devout faces.

The two of them, who out in the world always kept their chins tipped up.

Right now, in front of this Professor Thomas, their smiles were close to fawning.

All to get my brother recommended.

The head of a publicly listed company.

A designer well known in her field.

Both of them willing to bow low in front of Professor Thomas.

Professor Thomas smiled. "Of course I trust the two of you, and I trust this boy's ability even more.

"But if I don't come across that physics prodigy, then yes, I'll take him."

A physics prodigy?

Mom and Dad froze.

Professor Thomas nodded.:

Yes. This one competed in a physics competition too, and took the gold.

I've talked with him online. I'd say his talent for physics is beyond even mine.

I went still.

That voice

Why did it sound exactly like the teacher.

Exactly like the one I'd corresponded with online the day of the physics finals?

Higher than your own, Professor? You meana high school student?

Professor Thomas nodded.

Dad shifted, uneasy.:

That kindthat kind of genius usually has a mind of his own. Maybe he wouldn't even want to take on a mentor?

Right, exactly.

Mom jumped in at once.:

Geniuses always prefer to be alone, don't they?

You're right about that.

Professor Thomas sighed.:

I sent the boy a message. When he heard that studying under me meant closed-off research, he couldn't bear to leave his family.

Mom and Dad's eyes lit up.:

That's it, the boy is devoted to his family, he surely couldn't say yes!

As she spoke, she nudged Jim forward.

But I've already made up my mind. The last final protege of my life will either be him.

Or I won't take one at all.

The smile froze on Jim's face.

Mom and Dad couldn't help exchanging a glance.

Mom wasn't ready to give up.:

Could you tell us what exactly makes this boy so good? We could have Jimmy learn it.

Yes, yes, our Jimmy is a very fast learner.

Professor Thomas shook her head with a smile.

Some talent really can't be learned through effort.

Look, this is a turbine design he submitted at that final.

Professor Thomas held up her phone.

From a distance.

The moment I saw the markings on that drawing.

I was certain.

The one I'd corresponded with was Professor Thomas.

Mom and Dad both had some background in design.

Looking at the drawing.

Neither of them could hold back a sharp breath.

Professor Thomas put her phone away.:

The boy got into MIT this year.

As he should.

Dad nodded despite himself.

Mom nodded too.:

With that level in high school, MIT might even be beneath him.

Such a shame

Dad sighed.:

How did we never raise a child that brilliant

What are you doing here?

Nadia bumped into me.

The orange juice in my hand almost spilled.

A cry slipped out of me.

Mom and Dad turned around.

Their brows knitted at once.:

What did you come over for?

We're discussing professional matters with Professor Thomas, do you even understand any of it? You just came over to gawk!

Nadia grabbed my hand.:

Come on, let's go, you can't follow this anyway, don't get in the way of Jimmy's moment!

Wait!

Professor Thomas adjusted her glasses.:

This boyI think I saw him at the finals

Professor Thomas, you must be mistaken.

Mom's red lips curved.:

This is our eldest son. A boy who never amounted to anything.

He didn't even get into a decent college this year.

Nothat's not right.

Professor Thomas narrowed her eyes.:

I definitely saw this boy at the finals, even if it was just a glance.

But, the two of you

Professor Thomas pointed at me.:

He looks exactly like the boy I'm looking for!

"Oh."

Mom smiled. "The honor would be ours."

Dad forced a smile too.

"That's right, Professor Thomas. People are always telling us our eldest has one of those forgettable faces."

"We'd love it if he really were the boy you're looking for."

Mom clicked her tongue with what sounded like real regret.

"But sadly this one just happens to look like your genius.

"This year he didn't even get into a decent college."

Professor Thomas looked a little surprised.

"That is that true?"

Dad nodded. "There's nothing we can do about it."

So my parents hadn't just ignored my acceptance letter.

They'd never once paid attention to a single award I'd won.

And yet.

I'd set the gold medal from the physics competition in the most visible spot on my desk.

Three years of high school.

All the times they came and went through my room.

Not once had they noticed a medal sitting on that desk.

"Come on! Stop making trouble here!"

Nadia yanked me away without another word.

I saw Professor Thomas wipe her glasses.

She let out a sigh, full of regret.

"Such a shame"

Nadia pulled me over to the table and pushed me into a seat.

Not long after.

Jim came rushing over, lit up with excitement.

"Professor Thomas took me on as an outer-circle student! She agreed to tutor me online once a week from now on!"

He was practically cheering.

Threw his arms around Nadia, the two of them bouncing together.

I looked past him.

Mom and Dad were fawning all over Professor Thomas, seeing her into her car.

At the table.

Mom stroked Jim's hair.

"Mom always knew my Jimmy would make it."

"Of course I will!"

Nadia set down her glass.

"With Jimmy's SAT scores, how many kids in the whole country are as brilliant as he is?"

"Yeah, but it's a shame I can't measure up to that genius who got into MIT."

Jim propped his chin in his hand. "He's seriously amazing. I feel like no matter how hard I try, I'll never catch up to him."

I sat there and gave no reaction.

"What's the matter with you, no sense of the room."

Dad gave me a shove.

"Your brother just became Professor Thomas's student. Do you have any idea what her standing is in academia?

"Raise a glass to your brother."

Jim looked over at me.

Tried to hide the smugness at the corner of his mouth.

"It's fine, Clem. We're brothers by blood. Even if you don't toast me, I'll still look out for you later on."

"Clement Delgado!"

Mom shot me a displeased look.

"Look at your brother. Now look at yourself."

Nadia was out of patience.

"No talent, no people skills. I really don't know what's going to become of you."

Dad watched me coldly.

"I told you to toast your brother. What, is that too much of an insult for you?"

I stood up.

Lifted my glass.

"To you."

Jim scrambled to his feet.

Picked up his glass and clinked it against mine.

But the second it touched my glass.

His hand tipped.

The drink spilled all down his own arm.

"Jimmy!"

Mom cried out and shoved me away.

I hit the floor hard.

The soup that had just been served splashed all over me.

Jim's eyes went red. "It's okay, I know Clem didn't mean it."

Dad wiped every drop off Jim's arm.

Then turned.

Saw me sprawled on the floor.

He frowned.

"Bad grades, fine, at least you could have character.

"No character either. Then that's your whole life, right there."

"Come on, Jimmy, let's go get you cleaned up."

They gathered around Jim and turned to leave.

Nobody seemed to notice I was soaked through with sticky soup.

I kept my head down.

Found a bathroom myself and dabbed at my clothes.

When I came out.

The banquet hall was empty.

"Oh, your brother thought it was too loud in there, so they left first. What, they didn't tell you?"

I froze where I stood.

Said nothing.

My clothes dried out somewhere along the walk home.

In the wind.

My family didn't seem to register that I came home late.

Mom brought it up like it was nothing.

"You need to start planning your graduation trip. Think about where you want to go and talk it over with your brother."

"I want to go to Aspen!!"

Jim shouted and threw himself forward.

Latched onto Mom's arm. "Mom! Let's go to Aspen!"

Mom beamed.

"Fine, we'll go to Aspen. Clem wants to go too, so it works out."

I paused.

I hadn't said a word about where I wanted to go.

But I kept my mouth shut.

I suppose I already understood.

At a moment like this.

It made no difference where I said I wanted to go.

That night, to make the early morning flight, I went to bed early.

I could hear the family downstairs helping Jim pack.

Mom: "Bring these sunglasses, Jimmy's eyes get inflamed easily, he can't be in the sun too much."

Nadia: "Then I'll bring the umbrella. If the sun's too strong there, I can hold it over Jimmy."

Dad: "Pack a bigger bag, then. Jimmy's got a lot of stuff, and if it's big enough, Dad can carry it for you."

"Thank you, Mom, Dad! Thanks, Nadia! You're all so good to me!"

I closed my eyes.

Forced myself to sleep.

The next day.

I went through security with the family.

My ticket scanned.

But it wouldn't let me through.

The others, already inside with their suitcases, looked back.

Mom spoke up.

"Oh, I forgot. When I bought your ticket yesterday, I clicked the wrong one. Yours is to D.C."

Nadia shrugged.

"Too late to change it now. Next time, maybe."

The wrong ticket?

And only mine was wrong?

I looked at them.

They looked at me.

No sign that anyone meant to explain further.

I took the ticket.

"Okay."

"Let's go! Off to Aspen with Mom and Dad and Nadia!"

Jim went charging off, thrilled.

The family all laughed.

Mom lifted her camera to catch Jim's excited back as he ran.

I turned around.

Opened my phone.

Sent Professor Thomas a message.

Professor, I've made up my mind. My flight today is to D.C. I want to join your closed research project.