Nathan walked in dad's hospital room, having returned from Lucas's old house. Dan asked Nathan if he knew why Lucas refused to come see him. Nathan had remembered a letter Lucas had written to their dad four years ago. So he figured it was the best way to make him understand.
" Dad, here is a letter Lucas wrote you years ago. Read it, and you'll have the answer to your question about his absence."
Dan took the letter and Nathan left the room. Opening the letter he began to read.
Dad,
I don't think you will ever realize how bad you hurt me and mom. So many nights I wondered, if you truly regretted killing Keith.
I just can not figure out how you could shoot him and walk away. You walked out of my highschool, without mention what you done.
Everyone had me convinced that Jimmy did it. The thought of you doing it, never crossed my mind. I knew you two didn't get along,
but I didn't think you hated him so much. Nathan and I don't see eye to eye a lot, but I would never hurt or kill him. Do you know
why ? Because I have I unlike you, have a heart. He has a wife and son. Keith had mom and he loved her. So you took away what
she wanted most. You treated her like shit and I suffered because of it. We all suffered. I kept telling myself that you would change.
I know I shouldn't but I resent you for giving me HCM. I love basketball, and I had my dream ripped away. So I had to watch my
brother live my dream. It was so hard and so unfair to me. There were times when I seriously wanted to beat the crap out of you.
Sometimes I wish I didn't save you from that fire. All I got in return was, you trying to choke me to death. I can never forgive everything
you done. Ever. Don't ask me to, as it will do you no good.
Your Son,
Lucas
Dropping the letter Dan felt as though he could not breathe. His heart pounding with guilt and sadness making everything hurt. Right now he hated himself.
He had spent his life being a terrible father. A terrible husband, but Jamie still loved him. None of it mattered now because he was slowly dying. This time he
would not escape death and he knew he deserved it. The same way he had killed Keith, would be the death of him. It felt like the death penalty, but this was a
choice he had made. To take a bullet and save his son. Nathan and Lucas would always be his sons, even though one hated him to the core. He wondered if Keith
hated him as well. Then he heard a voice.
" No Danny boy, I don't. I love you because you are my brother and I'm taking you to heaven."
Then Dan fell into a darkness, and took Keith's hand as they walked toward a bright light.