A is for Accident.

Everyone was gathered around the table, for now everything was peaceful and everyone was getting along. The room was buzzing with conversation, except Jamie. Danny's hurtful words from last Sunday still stung. But nobody seemed to notice his quietness. After everyone finished eating, everyone declared that it wasn't their turn to do the dishes. Erin turned to Jamie.

"I believe it's your turn." Jamie just nodded and started to clear the table. As Jamie stood in the kitchen drying the dishes he heard the family erupt in laughter at something Frank said. Jamie thought back on last Sunday.

Jamie stormed out of the house, headed to his car. Danny followed right behind him.

"Kid, stop."

"Just leave me alone Danny. You obviously like it better when I'm not here."

"That's not what I said."

"That's what you implied." Danny just stood there and stared at Jamie. "Maybe you should stop telling me how disappointed you are in me."

"I'm not disappointed, I just think that you should have stuck with being a lawyer rather than a cop."

"Maybe, being a cop is something I've always wanted to do."

"You only wanted to be a cop after Joe."

"You don't know anything Danny!" Jamie climbed into the car and drove away.

He knew his family wished that he became a lawyer, but he always wanted to be a cop. Jamie finished the dishes and headed to grab his coat.

"Hey kid, are you leaving." Jamie just nodded and went outside. "Hey wait up." Danny followed Jamie outside. "Where are you going? We haven't even had dessert yet."

"I have a graveyard shift."

"You know if you were a lawyer, you would have normal work hours." Anger bubbled inside Jamie.

"Whatever Danny!" Jamie sped away.

Erin came outside to see what was going on.

"Think he's mad?" Erin glared at her brother.

"What do you think? Why do you always pick on him."

"He's my little brother, that's what I'm supposed to do."

Jamie waited for the red light to turn green. When it did he took his foot off the break and pressed the gas. He was in the middle of the intersection, when a bus crashed into him. The bus driver wasn't paying attention and ran a red light. Jamie's car spun until the driver's side smashed into a nearby building. Jamie felt dizzy. He unbuckled and attempted to crawl to the passenger side. His ribs groaned in protest. His head throbbed and his left shoulder burned.

Danny started to feel guilty about what he said to Jamie. He turned to Erin,

"I'm going to go after him."

"Oh, so now the good big brother comes out." Danny laughed lightly. He got in his car and headed towards Jamie's apartment. When he came to a stop light, he saw flashing lights and an ambulance. He pulled up and hopped out, flashing his badge.

"What happened?"

"A bus ran a red and hit some guy in a car."

"How bad is it?"

"It doesn't seem to serious, but they won't know until they get the guy out." Danny nodded to the police officer and made his way to the wrecked car. Danny froze in his tracks when the car came into view. He ran forward. A EMT tried to stop him.

"That's my brother!"

"I'm sorry sir you need to stay back." Danny pulled out his badge. The EMT let him go. Danny ran to the passenger side of the car.

"Jamie?"Jamie's head turned and their eyes met.

"What are you doing here Danny?"

"I came to apologize." Jamie just laughed. And then grimaced from the pain. "Hold on kid, they're working to get you out."

Danny stepped back and let people do their jobs. Soon Jamie was out of the car. They tried to put him on a stretcher but he refused. He did agree to sitting on the back of an ambulance while they checked him came over when they finished.

"How is he?'

"He dislocated his shoulder, but we popped it back in and put in it in a sling. His ribs will be sore, but there is no need for him to go to the hospital. Danny nodded and turned to look at Jamie.

"Come on I'll take you home and call in that you won't be coming in tonight." Jamie nodded and then slowly stood. Danny drapped his arm around Jamie and helped him to the car. Danny climbed into the driver's seat and drove off. The car ride was silent. Danny stopped in front of Frank's house.

"I thought you were taking me home."

"Do you really think that I would let you go home alone in your condition. Plus Dad would kill me if I did." Jamie tried to get out of the car and walk away. "Where are you going?"

"Home." Danny stopped him and steered Jamie towards the front door.

"No you're not. You are going to go inside and enjoy dessert, because knowing Erin she still hasn't served it yet." Danny opened the front door and pushed Jamie in. The room went silent. Frank stood.

"You were only gone an hour and a half. What happened?"

"Little fender bender."

"Jamie, people don't get hurt in fender benders." Jamie sat at the table.

"A bus ran a red."

"Why aren't you at the hospital?"

"I just have some bruised ribs and a dislocated shoulder. I was told that I could go." Frank glared at Danny.

"I talked to the EMT he said Jamie was fine." Frank nodded and then looked at Jamie.

"You are staying here tonight." Jamie knew better than to argue with his father.