Raj fidgeted.
“I’m really sorry, Ida.”
“I know.”
She did know. Of course she knew. Her sweet little brother didn’t want to hurt her, he just did so anyway. The helpless cycle they’d been stuck in before their falling out started to creep up on her, nudging her to resist its return with the threat of another emotional treadmill. She was having enough trouble with the real-life treadmills at this point.
When Ida looked up, Raj had tears in his eyes.
“I’m really sorry.”
“Oh, come here.”
Raj moved toward her, one hesitant step and then two. He stopped midway through the living room, not meeting her eyes.
“I can’t make this up to you, I’ll never be able to.”
“Yes you can.” She responded, voice growing hoarse with the strength of her suppressed tears. “You can, we’ll figure it out.”
Th
