Recap:

I can't believe he did that. I can't that he was so sweet as to do all of that, he thought of everything. We were finding it a bit hard to continue but we knew we had to, we needed to do this to find some kind of closure.

Next was Edwin. His read

Edwin,

I'm gonna make this short because I know you want to be strong for everyone. So that's what it's gonna be.

Ed I'm sorry I was always so mean to you. You're my little brother and I pretty much let you fend for yourself and I'm sorry for that. I should have been there for you but then again maybe it was letting you take care of yourself that actually made you into the well rounded person you are now. You have your priorities straight.

Well little brother for you it is a bit like Nora except your gift is at a music store. You gonna love this because it's not just for the music store but also for the whole mall. That includes stores for just about any crack-pot scheme you can come up with. Of course, I'm sorry to say little bro, Dad and Nora can cut you off for any length of time. Hey! I need you to be responsible so you can be the role model our baby brother will need.

I probably never said this but I love Ed. You are the coolest little brother a guy could ever ask for. Oh and drive Casey insane for me, just kidding.

The Derek Venturi


We all let a small chuckle escape at the gift and the ending to the letter. After Ed was Lizzie, hers was by far the most brotherly-like thing in the world. It said


Hey Liz,

Okay I know you're technically not my sister but you are just as much as my sister as Smarti is. I figured out why Ed and Casey call you their best friend when I was couching you in hockey. You're actually pretty cool.

I like that you have a backbone. Don't lose it because. In this world your going to need to be as strong as you possibly can. I'm intrusting you with Edwin. Don't let him slack off make sure he is the best he can be. Don't let him turn into me, only you can keep him in a straight line. Take care, I love you Lizzie.

Your Brother, Derek


Lizzie turned to me and I could see in her eyes the tears that were waiting to be shed. With a flip of her wrist she let the contents of her envelope and out fell lifetime tickets to see Canada's finest at work in soccer. She was so happy. It was such a thoughtful gift. Way to go Derek now I feel like shit for saying that you could careless bought us.

Then little Marti read hers it was short but exactly what I would expect Derek to write to his little princess. It read


Smarti,

I'm sorry I left without saying goodbye. I love you with all of my heart okay kiddo, don't you forget that. You'll always be my little Smarti. I'll never forget you. I left you something I hope you like.

Your Smerek


We all waited for Marti to get her gift out of the folder. I smiled when I recognized the piece of cloth in her hand it was Derek's lucky jersey, his favorite picture of the two of them where she was maybe three-years old and he was 11, and a few recordings of stories he made up just for her. The mere thought of hearing his voice lifted the little girl's spirit. And secretly mine too.

After I had heard a short part of one of the stories I started to get impatient and head up the stairs to my room with the envelope in hand. I was determined that if I could never talk to him again I would follow these simple instructions. Once I got to my room I sat on my bed and opened the envelope. I pulled out my letter and started to read. And not five lines in tears started to cascade down my face because of what the letter said.


A.N. Sorry that it has taken me so long to post I've been going crazy with my school stuff had to write like four maybe five papers. I promise the updates will come more frequently from now on. I feel so evil for doing that to you guys but its all in good fun. And when I get the next chapter up I hope you like it.