Re: Jack / Patrick
I'm highly tempted to pretend to have a strop about my perceived ignorance, but not really, no.
Ah, if Newt were to leave I think it would be far more likely. I don't see it as stuck. It is, rather. It wasn't for years and years and now I actually have a brother, or rather, one I relate to, in place of the small, often sticky individual who provided various creatures for my inspection when I was home (which I was not often). But I didn't think family was for many years. It shapes you, I think. Whether you stick together or spin off into separate existences. We were the spinning off kind, you clearly were the kind that stuck together.
I've not got the slightest intention of a rather soppy entreaty to say you're part of the family now but it feels like the sort of moment to pause for such an intervention in the conversation. Rather, 'bugger Connie, it's all a bit shit really, I'm pleased you have Newt'. But that isn't nearly so sweet. And you also have Adrian.