"But mom! This is my once in a lifetime graduation party!"
"And this is your brother's funeral we're talking about here! I know you two isn't exactly model siblings but he is still your brother, isn't he?"
"He doesn't seem to think that," A slap hit his left cheek immediately after the bitter words left his mouth. His hand shot up in reflex, cradling his reddening cheek and wounded pride. The withering look he shot his mother was enough to make her regret she ever mentioned his brother in front of him. Like every member of the Speedle family, stubbornness was a staple trait, passed down from generation to generation. She suppressed a sob as the mental image of her older son with that same exact scowl flooded her mind's eye.
'Forcing me to do things I don't want to isn't something I thought you would make me do,'
"Forcing me to do things I don't want to isn't something I thought you would make me do," She jolted in surprise, staring wide-eyed at her younger son.
"Mom?" Without so much as an explanation, his mother pulled him into her arms, crying uncontrollably. She had failed as a mother… to the both of them.
&&&
He stared in shock at the weeping woman around his waist. This wasn't the mother he was accustomed to. His mother was the toughest woman he had ever met. All those years at the social services did nothing to change that, even though it was only through those services where he could witness the softer side of her. It was then he realized that she had been bottling up her feelings since the news of his brother's passing reached their household. Awkwardly, he reached down and wiped the tear-streaked cheeks with his thumb before returning her embrace.
"Mom… don't do this to yourself…" He watched as she recollected her emotions while hastily tidying her hair in a modest attempt to salvage some pride. She then gave a sad smile before leaving his room glassy eyed.
&&&
He wasn't present at the funeral but he was there the next day. That was about the fastest the last plane could fly him in. Dressed in a plain black shirt and jeans, he stood before the newly buried grave solemnly. It was true that Tim Speedle was not too fond of having a younger brother but in his own way, he had tried to reach out to him. As he stared at the carven headstone, he remembered the joy of receiving his first science kit and suspicion when he saw the postage was from Miami. Subsequent years and a handful of books later, he had finally gotten to know his wayward brother was actually based in Miami. And it was in Miami he would stay…
"Isn't that right, my brother?" he whispered, lowering a lighted Marlboro onto the unearthed soil.
End.
Aww… it's been quite a while haven't it?? Haha… I had written the first part of the story when I heard 'Lost Son' had aired in the states but I didn't quite finish it. Then I saw Wannabe (Season 2, episode 18) on my local cable TV today & the exchange between Wally & Timmy was totally unbelievable. So I thought if Tim could bond (however uneasy that may be) with some kid he didn't even know, he's got to make some effort to sort out his relationship with his own brother, right? Note: According to CBS's CSI Miami page, he really does have a brother. Thus, here I am, typing a CSI: Miami drabble at 3am in the morning. As for the cig, well, let's just say Speedle, bikes & cigarettes goes very well together. ' wink '
As usual, read & review!!!