Typically, the reality of this did not improve with the measure of time spent contemplating. Evander would have shut off his brain, if only he could. The congratulations (or rather, that inevitable “I guess” to quantify the well-wishes, in Alfred’s oh-so-elegant way) eventually shook Evander out of his own head and away from daydreaming that there was the remotest shred of possibility that their sons might never meet.
“And to you, I suppose,” Evander returned, not yet overflowing in enthusiasm – but also not about to let his brother be the bigger person. Maybe that was the reason he opened his mouth again – he refused to consider it an olive branch, let alone any mark of sentiment. “And it’s fine. You can have the rocking chair. Er, if you like.” He would defer to Caroline anyway, and let her choose something else from their family relics if she liked. Probably better to buy all new things, at any rate. The rocking chair was rather worn.
“And to you, I suppose,” Evander returned, not yet overflowing in enthusiasm – but also not about to let his brother be the bigger person. Maybe that was the reason he opened his mouth again – he refused to consider it an olive branch, let alone any mark of sentiment. “And it’s fine. You can have the rocking chair. Er, if you like.” He would defer to Caroline anyway, and let her choose something else from their family relics if she liked. Probably better to buy all new things, at any rate. The rocking chair was rather worn.
