Remembering a Friend

by LDEJRuff

Chapter 2 - The Discussion and Brian's Decision


Later that night, back at the Griffin house, the family had a serious talk with Brian in the living room.

"I just can't believe this, Brian," Lois said. "What you did today was the most stupidest thing I have ever heard. I mean, confronting a celebrity, Brian? I haven't seen you do that since the night James Woods invited us to dinner so he could apologize for wronging us."

"We all know what happened that night, Lois," Brian replied. "Well, most of us, actually. Vinny doesn't know about it, so I'll probably just say it. Dianne Simmons stabbed James in the back, literally, thus removing one of my problems."

What Brian just said reminded Peter that James was later brought back to life by scientists due to him being a celebrity. He saw James in Hollywood when he tried to get Tom Tucker back into acting for films. However, he didn't have the heart to tell the family about it since.

"Thank you, Captain Obvious," Lois said, sarcastically. "But we had no idea you almost died once, Brian. What'd you do, get out of the way before Justin's car would run over you?"

Brian froze. He had to keep Stewie's secret about how Brian became a robot that day. So he did the only thing he possibly could to keep the secret.

"Yes, Lois," he lied. "I got out of the way. Justin's car would explain the destroyed hockey equipment we brought home earlier that day."

"Well," Lois began, "that still doesn't mean you have to face your attempted killer like that, Brian. It would have been an accident. If you hadn't gotten out of the way, we would've been heartbroken, gotten a different dog like Vinny, and moved on. But what you did today was irresponsible, Brian. I'm sorry for saying this, but you've left me no other choice. You're an idiot."

With that, she, Peter, Meg and Chris left the room. Stewie and Vinny stayed with Brian, who hung his head in disgrace, on the couch. However, Stewie laid his left hand on Brian's paw, smiling.

"Brian," he began, "thanks for keeping our secret. I know it was tough for you to lie to her, though."

"You're welcome," Brian replied. "But I have feelings, Stewie. And Lois hurt them when she called me an idiot."

"But you ain't an idiot to us," Vinny assured. "You're still our friend, no matter what happens."


The next morning, Vinny awoke to the sound of Brian crying outside. He walked out of the house through the kitchen door and saw his friend crying on the lawn.

"Brian?" he said. "What's the matter? What's with the water works?"

"Oh," Brian said, drying his eyes, voice shaking, "I was just thinking about what Lois said last night."

"Still shaken up about her calling you an idiot, huh?" Vinny said. "I know how bad that feels."

"You do?"

"Yeah," he continued. "I sure wish I'd known a lot more about you, before you became a robot."

"Well, Vinny," Brian began, "when I almost died that day, I got a glimpse of where I was going, and I didn't like it one bit. You see, before my becoming a robot, I was a flat-out atheist. I didn't believe in Christianity or any religion for that matter. I once thought that religion was for idiots, like Lois called me last night. Since my near-death experience, I started reading the Bible, and learned a whole lot of the world's history: how it was created, what happened after those seven days, how Jesus died for our sins, everything."

A second of silence. Afterwards, Vinny spoke, "It's okay, Brian. I once had a friend who used to think religion was idiotic, too. I prayed for her a lot, even after she finally accepted Jesus as her Savior. She then became a preacher at a church not too far away from here."

"Really?" Brian said.

"Yeah," Vinny replied.

"Well, I'm still pretty sad about what Lois said to me last night," Brian said. "And that's why I've decided to leave home."

"You're leaving?" Vinny repeated. "For how long?"

"I dunno, Vinny," Brian said. "But I promise to be back one day after I realize my mistake."

With that, Brian gave Vinny a hug and shed some tears.

"You take care of the Griffins for me, and treat them like their your own family, until I return. Think about me every day, even when you pray every night, before you go to sleep. And most importantly, remember me."

"You got it, Brian," Vinny replied.

Brian then let go of Vinny, got inside his Prius, and drove off into the sunrise. Vinny looked on as the car drove away.

"Good luck, Brian," Vinny continued.