Do I Wanna Know?

June 26th

June 26thOn Sunday, I sleep until noon, I can rest until my dear brother gets the cleaning fever because Annie will be arriving tonight. I listen to him from my bed as he swears while he tidies and hoovers his room. After a while, I go to his room so I can enjoy the party from closer. Andrew is cursing women and moans about the difficult parts of a relationship, he doesn`t get why humans ended their life where they lived in a cave and all they had to do is sweep up. Changing the bedsheets causes a big trauma for Andrew. When I can`t stop laughing while lying on the floor, he thanks me for my help and tells me to leave his room. Lunch is still being made, Mum doesn`t want any help so I go and sunbathe in the garden. I make use of my brand new gold bikini and I read the last chapter from one of Mum`s old Agatha Christie crime book. I love it. I probably fell asleep in the sun as I wake up to Andy pouring a glass of water on me. When I run after him to kill him he tells me he was just trying to help and I have hidden aggression in me which needs help. Mum and Dad come out due to the shouting. Dad asks Mum while shaking his head:

-Who would think that our children are both adults?

-No one my dear, no one. Maybe we did something wrong? – Mum thinks out loud.

The family goes inside to have lunch, then we all have a nap. Naps are a big tradition in our family. When we were little, it was completely normal that we had to sleep after lunch, which Mum and Dad used to love as well, so this became a tradition. On the weekends if we did not have anything specific to do, the Haggerty family would have an hour or two nap after lunch. Just like now. When I wake up, Andy is visibly impatient. I can tell he needs something to distract him. I grab him and take him for a walk. We go to town and walk without purpose, we check the shop windows, buy a coffee from Starbucks and head towards Ramsay Park.

Annie contacts him to let him know she will be heading to the airport soon, then Andrew makes her promise that if anything changes she will let him know, and he will be waiting at the airport at the agreed time. My brother has changed a lot in terms of relationships, for the benefit of Annie. Before Annie, he only knew the `my girlfriend loves me more than anything` stage, now he knows the `I love my girlfriend more than anything` stage too, which scares and makes my chilled, loud brother vulnerable. We talk about his life in Denver and my life at Princeton. Over the years we made some mutual friends and we talk about them as well. As always, I have a good time at Andy`s company. We slowly make our way home. One of the reoccurring topics is my non-existent relationship.

-Berry, you can`t carry on like this. I can`t believe that no one is good enough. If your expectations are too high, maybe you need to change this. –he says wisely.

-Andy sweetie, I still don`t care about your opinion like I never did before. Don`t stress yourself and don`t have sleepless nights because of this. Time will solve everything. –I reply but Andy doesn`t back up.

-Okay, tell me what type of men you like, I might be able to find one. –he stops and waits for my answer enthusiastically. I give in.

-Can I give you a list? Okay, listen! He has to be crazy good looking, has to have a good sense of humour, has a nice figure, tall, skinny and muscular. I don`t like huge muscles but a six-pack is a must. It`s important that he is intelligent and well taught. Someone who is not too kind but has charisma, be a gentleman who thinks I`m the only one and the most important in the world.

-We have to have the same interests and have the same values. He should have a stable job which can support him financially. I`m looking for someone who is willing to have a debate about things at 1 am. That`s it for now, and I`d just like to add that his name has to be Josh Halding. I`m waiting for my brother`s judgement while he is thinking.

-I think my friend Camel meets most of your requirements but he is too old for you. –Andy smiles.

-Dear sibling, ten per cent is very far from a hundred per cent. I wouldn`t say he meets most of the requirements. – I rub the back of my silly brother while he laughs.

When we get home, Andrew shares my imaginary list of the perfect man, his story about Camel, and with a huge smile, he goes to his room and leaves me with our parents. Dad takes the task seriously and says he agrees with me and I shouldn`t have to change my standards because I would be unhappy with a guy who doesn`t meet my standards. Mum thinks the opposite and says I will be on my own forever because of my high standards. She thinks I need to find the middle ground.

-Don`t you think Camel would be a good choice?- when she asks everyone burst out laughing.

I know form Andy, that my parents are worried about me because of this. In the last four years when Mum and Dad were waiting for me to introduce my boyfriend I always came up with an excuse, and when the next time came I had no one to introduce. A new relationship, same excuse. Maybe, if I can get to the end of this, I can finally close this chapter of my life.

Annie arrived. Andy now has a huge smile on his face. It`s nice to see my brother so happy. I talk to Annie for about an hour, she is adorable. We quickly go through my plans for my birthday party. She already has a dress, and she will come to the hairdresser and beautician with me. I go to my room and my parents leave as well so the love birds can enjoy themselves.