Hello Readers! I have recently re-edited this story to the point I basically rewrote it. It's still the same story just with more detail and more parts. This was my first FanFiction I ever wrote at the tender age of 15 (Holy Crap that was almost 15 years ago!). Four Brothers is my family's Thanksgiving movie. Seriously we watch it every year on Thanksgiving. That's why this year I though it was time for me to edit it. The last time I edited this story was back in 2013. Obviously, at least I hope, my writing has continued to get better like a fine wine. This story is now significantly longer now as well. I hope you all enjoy it and continue to read and enjoy. Review if you have the time and I do have a poll up for potential new stories. If you want me to write something specifically that is not on the list, or re-edit it please message me and I will see what I can do. Without further ado, enjoy.
Growing up as a kid in Detroit definitely aided in who you would be in the future. I knew kids who parents beat them everyday who grew up to be lawyers, and other kids would grow up to beat their own kids. However it wasn't the city or even who raised you that determined who you would be in the future. No, that relied solely on you and what you chose to do. Granted you were influenced by these other things but it was ultimately you. Choices, whether they were good or bad, was what shaped you. If you were a follower, you were easily influenced. If you were a leader, you were doing the influencing.
Take me and the boys that were more than friends. We grew up in the same neighborhood, on the same street. My biological mother, god rest her hellish soul, was a literal crack whore. At least three times a week she would go down a couple blocks from our home and prostitute herself to get enough money for her next score. Who even knew who my father was. But Evelyn Mercer was an angel among demons in the hood. The moment she heard about my situation, she opened her arms and her home to me. Whenever I needed a place to be or didn't want to be alone, I knew where I could go. I would spend days, sometimes weeks at the Mercer home, especially as I got older.
The woman really was a saint. Helping out foster children, ensuring when they were adopted they went to good homes. Then she eventually came across four boys that no one wanted. Little hoodlums causing chaos and mayhem left and right. She ended up adopting them as she realized they were better off with her than going from foster home to foster home... or ending up on the street. Without her who knows what they would be doing now, certainly not the men they were today. They didn't become lawyers or doctors, but they at least lead decent somewhat legal lives. Regardless, we owed that woman our lives. She showed us compassion, love and always expected the best of us, when others wouldn't even look in our direction.
My gut tightened as I covered my mouth and let out another sob. I looked up to the coffin in front of me and leaned against the tree I was hiding behind for support. Part of me wanted to walk forward and take the vacant seat meant for me in the front row between Jack and Jerry. But no matter how hard I tried I couldn't walk up there and claim it. There was one other vacant chair in the front, presumably belonging to Angel. Who knew where that goon was. Probably got caught up at the airport or some other such nonsense. The fourth brother, the ringleader of the family, sat on the other side of Jack. He was the main reason why I couldn't walk up there. My heart skipped a beat as I looked at the back of his head. Part of me was in shock that he had made it back to Detroit, the other part of me knew he wouldn't miss Ma's funeral for the world.
Jerry was standing at the temporary podium next to her casket. Telling everyone how amazing she was and how he wouldn't be the man he was without her. He always knew how to talk in awkward situations, he knew how to please a crowd and bring them to tears. I was surprised when he stuttered a bit at the memory of coming into her care. I could feel the tears continuing to flow down my cheeks as he stepped aside, allowing Jack to stand in front of the microphone.
Jack, being the youngest, was the baby of our little group. We all took him under our wing and would stand up for him when he got into trouble. He looked so lost standing there in front of all these people. He opened his mouth to speak, then he began to cry, the grief of losing her proving to be too much. It took everything in my power right then to stand by the tree and not rush up there to comfort him. That boy had not lived an easy life. Before he was in Evelyn's care he went through the ringer of foster homes, most of them beating him and though he would never admit it, probably some molestation. He really was the baby brother of our messed up family.
Bobby stood up from his seat, walked over to the podium and comforted his little brother. The man could be a hard ass, but he was so gentle when it came to Jack. Any of the brothers really. He announced there would be lunch served at Jerry's house when the funeral was over. Seeing his face made me forget how to breathe. It had been at least five years since any of us had seen the older Mercer brother. Five years since he left town without a word. Five years since he left me in the dust with no word of where he was going or doing. The brothers collectively went back to their seats as the priest said the rest of his speech.
When he was done everyone stood to watch as Evelyn's casket was lowered into her grave. I was thankful for all who showed up. Especially since their collective sobs drowned out mine. Once it was lowered into the ground people began to either walk back to their respective vehicles or go up to the brothers and pay their respects.
I continued to stand there watching the scene in the cool Detroit winter. Ignoring people as they looked over to me. I wanted to stand here, for her, just a little longer. Wanting to be closer to the site, closer to Evelyn one last time. I knew I could never repay her for what she had done for me. Saving me from a life that would be much like my mothers, no doubt.
"Chelsea, I haven't seen you around here for a while." said a familiar voice behind me. I spun around in my spot wiping the tears from my eyes, for the first time taking my eyes off the brothers and the funeral.
"Hey Green." I gave him a little awkward wave as he approached me. "I've been around. Just haven't done anything to get you called."
"Why are you all the way back here? You should be in the front row with Jerry, Jack, and Bobby. Evelyn thought of you like a daughter, you know?" he said with a sad smile.
I nodded my head knowing that was the truth. "Yeah, I know." I said solemnly. "There is a seat for me right there." I pointed towards the chairs.
"Cause of Bobby?" Green asked looking at me with pity. I didn't know if I should be thankful for that look or offended.
"Yeah, I don't think Evelyn would appreciate a big, potentially violent, argument at her funeral." I said with a hint of a smile. Green had always been there for us back in the day. Then he became a cop, starting that journey right out of high school. After that all of us lost touch with him. It was like he stabbed us all in the back by becoming a cop. Not to that degree, per se, but some days, especially back in the day when he would arrest us, it felt like betrayal. "Well Green, your little pet Detective over there looks a little lonely, you better go keep him company." I gestured towards the mouse of a man about a couple yards away from where we were. "I better get going anyway." I turned around and walked towards my car, not giving him a chance to speak.
I could faintly hear people talking around me, mostly I heard the crunching of snow beneath my shoes as I walked to my car. I pulled out my keys from my coat as I neared my destination. I stopped in my tracks getting that weird feeling when someone was watching you. I turned around, figuring it was Green's new detective. When I turned around, my eyes locked with those of the said pet detective. He was standing next to Green watching my every move. I involuntarily shuddered at the creep and turned back to my car, opening the door and swiftly got in. I turned the car on and looked around the cemetery, locking eyes on none other than Bobby. We started at each other, neither one of us daring to move. After a couple of moments I put the car in drive, breaking the contact, and sped off in the direction of home.