Sunday morning...

Cal was jolted awake by a loud knocking at the door. Wiping the sleep away from his eyes, he pulled himself up and dragged his feet towards the door.

"What the hell have you done this time?" His mum shouted at him when he opened the door.

Cal stood there with a confused look on his face. He was about to open his mouth to answer when his mum interrupted him.

"Don't give me the 'I don't know what you're talking about' excuse again, Cal. I've just got a phone call from the hospital telling me Ethan's been admitted after being found unconscious. "

"Is he alright?"

"He's unconscious. Of course, he's not alright."

"So why aren't you at the hospital?"

"Because I want to know what happened. And I know you were involved."

"Why do you think it has anything to do with me?"

"When it comes to your brother, it usually does have something to do with you."

"Well, thanks mum. I'm glad you think so highly of me."

"Do not use that tone with me, Caleb." His mum scolded. "So tell me what happened? Did you and Ethan have a fight again?"

Cal turned away from her. If Ethan was unconscious because of what he had done, he would never forgive himself. He already blamed himself for hurting his brother but, to have his mum blame him too, well he couldn't deal with that.

"Cal?" His mum said more softly this time.

"Yes, me and Ethan did fight." Cal told her as his voice cracked with emotion. "But, I didn't mean to hurt him. I swear. I just got angry. I had a bottle in my hand and before I knew what happened there was broken glass and blood. I tried to apologize but, Ethan didn't want to hear. He left before I could clean up his head wound. I'm sorry, mum. I'm so sorry."

As those final words came out of his mouth, Cal broke down. It had been years since he had cried. Years since he'd cried in front of his mum. And the realization of what he had done to Ethan finally caught up on him.

"It's not me you should be apologizing to." His mum told him as she held him.

"I know."

"Come on, then. Grab your coat and we'll go see Ethan." His mum said.

"I can't go."

"He'll want to see you when he comes round."

"No, he won't. He won't want to see me after what's happened and who can blame him."

"You're his brother, Cal. He'll forgive you."

Reluctantly, Cal went along with his mum to the hospital. Once again just like all those years ago when Ethan had been admitted because of what their dad had done, Cal sat beside his brother holding his hand. Their mum had decided to give her two sons some alone time so went off to get a coffee.

"Hey, Nibbles." Cal said quietly. " Never thought we'd end up here again. Well, anyway, I don't know if you can hear me but, I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I guess you were right. I guess we both were. I am like dad. I'm a useless waste of space. Dad always said I was and I guess he was right about that too. I drink, I lie and I lash out. I put you and mum through hell and I never apologize. I never admit my mistakes, instead I run. I run away. Dad did that too. He ran when things got messed up. I've been a horrible son. Most of all I've been a horrible brother. I know I've broken so many promises to you over the years, but this time I won't. This time I'll keep my promise. Wake up for me and I'll promise I'll stop. I'll stop drinking, I'll stop telling lies. Please, Eth, just open your eyes."

As if his brother had heard him, Ethan's eyes fluttered opened. A huge smile spread across Cal's face when he saw that his brother was awake.

"I forgive you." Ethan said hoarsely.