This choice: Your brother, as your remember him • Go Back...Chapter #5Your brother, as your remember him by: Unknown Well, mostly as you remember him is the first thought that comes as you stare at the hunched over figure. He was sitting at the foot of the table, face laying gently on the table as it scrunched up in misery. Or, at least that's what you think, you can't really tell his emotions from this blank slate. He sighs as his eyes flick upward, greeting the intruder.
"Hey there, Mike." He greets you. He doesn't seem to be surprised, excited, or glad to see you, and simply continues laying there emotionless, hunched over as he breathes out another loud sigh.
"Hey, Sam. Been a while, isn't it? Why didn't you call me lately?" You ask, taking a seat as your white socks gently shuffle through the floor. The large bear rug that used to be here – a favorite of Sam's – was now gone.
"Angelina took my phone away a week ago."
You choose to remain silent, simply giving a brief nod in response as your eyes wander the kitchen. The time it took for you to find any changes from your last visit was instantaneous – gone was the large butcher's knife that he used at family barbecues to carve up some beef. It was like any reminder of his manliness was being eradicated, evaporating into thin air. The only thing left to remind you were the memories of the first football he had passed you in an effort to teach you how to play. You never were as talented as him, but the fondness of those memories remained as they gave you a distant sense of nostalgia...
"Don't worry. You'll get through this. We will."
Sam didn't answer. He probably had it tough – having to put up a front for all his life, only to be suddenly stripped and exposed like a lamb. You recall the evening of his revelation – some of your family members were angered, some were saddened, and you were confused, accusing him of debauchery in an effort to return him to the way he was. The only support he had gotten back then was from his wife. You kick yourself mentally. Why didn't you support him back then? Why did you betray his trust? If only you had been more supportive – more kind to him back then – he wouldn't have fallen into such a melancholic state.
"Hey," Sam says, suddenly breaking the silence. "Did you know that an average man is three standard deviations stronger than an average woman?"
You perk up. Was Sam putting up yet another facade? You suppose that is the case – after all, you did hurt him drastically, the emotional scars must have still remained, aching at any reminder.
"Not really. But, hey, you needn't worry about what happened back..."
"Shut up and listen to me!" He hisses, the piercing sound of his voice reverberating through the kitchen. "Like, can you even believe that? I would be able to win against most women! I can even pin my wife to the ground and she wouldn't be able to do anything about it!"
"I guess." You shrug your shoulders, though a resounding 'I doubt it' runs through your mind as your memories recall her greeting at the door. That woman could pin you with her gaze alone. "But look, you won't have to worry about soon. After all, you're gonna be joining that side as well, right?"
You chuckle slightly as notice your older brother grow silent once more. It only takes a few seconds before his mouth reopens, probing you for an answer.
"Hey, bro, do you believe me?"
"Huh?"
"You know, do you believe me when I say I never cheated on Angelina?"
You sigh. The poor guy was still in denial. He needed to learn how to move on. "Listen, Sam. Me, mom, dad – we've all forgiven you. There's no need to pretend anymore. We understand, and we don't blame you. Just... try not to do it again."
You barely finish your dialogue as your brother bursts from his chair, almost knocking over the table as he slams his sweaty palm down onto it. His face contorted, red with anger.
"You're wrong! Nothing ever happened between us. Listen, it was a set-up! A set-up, I tell you! Why won't they ever believe me... me – their family! Angelina, that bitch... she planned all of this! She's behind all of this! All of it! I... there's proof! Or was, but she probably deleted it by now. I still want to remain a guy! You believe me, right, bro?"
"Of course I believe you."
Of course I don't. You think, as his hands violently shake you, his face just inches away from you. You could even see his nostrils flare, the saliva from his mouth splattering onto your face. His mental health had obviously deteriorated to the point of insanity. Your left hand was already in your back pocket, ready to clutch the phone at any time and call 9-1-1. Thankfully, a number you didn't need to dial as he releases you, and slumps back into the chair, seemingly exhausted.
He needs to visit his therapist soon. You think, heading out of the kitchen at a slow trod, periodically glancing over to check your brother's position. "I... uh, will check out the rest of the house if that's okay with you?"
Your brother doesn't answer as he simply waves his hand, which you take to mean as a sign of approval. You quickly emerge out of the kitchen, your fingers already typing 'mental health issues' into your phone's search engine, as you are pleasantly surprised by Angelina's appearance. A towel drapes over her shoulder, complimenting her donned spats and t-shirt quite well.
"You're finished talking with your brother already?" She asks sternly, her blue eyes piercing your eyes like a ray of light. In fact, it was even hard to look at them, as you shift your eyes downward to the floor.
"Ah... yes. Seems like he's not completely on board with the whole becoming a woman thing." You say, chuckling, yet you feel like something's wrong. It feels as if though someone was applying a heavy pressure onto you, compressing you like a can of sardines. Your eyes flick upwards, noticing that Angelina was staring intently at you. Your gaze seems to snap her out of it as she proceeds to pose a questioning face.
"Really? What did he say?"   indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
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