I think I should just start from the beginning

Yesterday the new tenants moved in—I’ll call them Adam and Carrie. And a lot happened, so I’m just going to have to start at the beginning.

            First, if Adam and Carrie know about me and their brother, then either it doesn’t matter to them or they’re really good at appearing civil. They’re amazing people. They both wanted me to know that I was welcome there (they called it my home) at any time, and even wanted me to come to dinner. I’ll probably be turning that down—but more on why later. 

            While I was showing them around, they told me a bit of their story. Adam and Carrie met as interns at their company, both competing for one of three spots in this incredibly successful business. While some people might be working against each other with such tight competition, Adam and Carrie worked together on a project that ended up getting them both jobs. Ten years later they still work side-by-side as VPs for that same company. 

            And then they mentioned that I knew their brother, and wanted to know if I’d heard he’d gotten married.

            I almost had a heart attack and felt sick when Carrie said that. Until I realized they were talking about their other brother—not the one that I dated. We knew each other from college, and he’s how I met this ex of mine. 

            Then Carrie then brought up him. How he had an incredibly successful internet business (which I knew) and that he’d recently sold it and made a lucrative profit (which I also knew). So much money that if my family had that much, we wouldn’t be renting out our house. But then she told me something I didn’t know—he’s coming to stay with them as he tries to figure out what to do next.

            That’s right. He’s coming. In two weeks. And honestly, I’m scared. Of the chance that we'll meet. Of what he'll say after eight years. Of what I'll say after eight years. How I'll appear to him, with my sad life and dreary job and little friends.

            With this new development, I think I have to tell you what happened. But that’s going to take a long time to write, more than I have right now. It’s messy and complicated and it’s going to be emotionally draining for me. Next time, though, you’ll get the story. Because that’s why I started this in the first place, right?