As I approached my parents’ tailgate, I spotted him immediately: my prodigal brother, fresh from eight months in rehab. He looked tan, healthy, puffier—the dark shadows and deep lines smoothed away. “You look good, fatty,” I teased. He bear-hugged me. “I feel good. Walk with me?” We weaved through throngs of football fans, traded playful sideways glances, slipped back easily into our familiar sibling playbook. After a minute he stopped and threw me a lopsided smile. “What?” I laughed. He whispered, “I’m HIV positive.” I choked, fumbled. He kissed my forehead and asked, "Will you be my backup?" Always.
Susan Michalowski is a writing teacher, dyslexia specialist, and aspiring author of middle-grade novels. She lives in Chicago with her husband, kids, and obligatory goldendoodle.