"Zoe, can you cover for me with Connie. I know it's a big ask, but I need to see Ethan." He pleaded, and was so very thankful when she agreed, before running to his car, and going home.
Cal walked into his apartment, after rushing home like a mad man. He had to sort Ethan out. He walked in to find Ethan lying on the sofa, watching a black screen. He silently crept into Ethan's room to look for evidence that he was drowning his sorrows with alcohol. He hoped it wasn't true. But, after looking around for a couple of minutes, being careful not to alert Ethan he was home, he looked in the place Ethan didn't want him to look. Under his bed were dozens of empty bottles, which all once had alcohol in them.
"ETHAN! IN HERE, NOW!" Cal shouted. He didn't want to shout, but he knew it would be hard to snap Ethan out of his thoughts- hopefully shouting would be enough. Ethan, noticing Cal was now home, and wincing at the tone he used, growled as he slid off the sofa and landed on the floor. He rose and started walking, wondering where 'here' was.
Cal was stood inside his room, looking quite sad, and sympathetic at the same time.
"Why didn't you tell me you were feeling this bad?" Cal persisted. Ethan looked at him, a questioning look on his face, what the hell was he talking about? "Under your bed." He stated, in a barely audible whisper. His tone was soft, and gentle. Ethan made his way over to his bad and sat down; Cal sat next to him, putting a comforting arm round his kid brothers' shoulders.
"I'm sorry, Cal." He whispered- barley able to contain his tears. Cal didn't say anything. Instead, he embraced his younger brother in a hug, and Ethan sobbed into his shoulder. Cal knew he had to be there for his brother- but felt helpless. What could he do? He certainty didn't want to get Ethan into another panic.
Morning came and neither of the brothers spoke anymore about last night after Ethan had cried his heart out. Cal didn't want to approach the situation further, and Ethan felt too ashamed to bring it up. Cal decided it was best if they left it at that, and if it happens again- they'd explore it.
Cal was making himself breakfast when Ethan walked through the kitchen door, and went about making some toast and jam- much to Cal's surprise.
"You coming into work today?" Cal asked, hoping his brother would say yes.
"Of course, Caleb." He answered, as it it was the most obvious thing in the world. Cal felt a sense of joy concerning his younger brother. He looked happier, probably because of the secrets that he had been guarding were unleashed. He knew this wouldn't just go away overnight, but Ethan was finally getting back to his old self again.
Yeah, a very unlikely thing that would happen in real life- but from this chapter onward (I pre-write all my stories), I started to get writers' block. It was hard to come up with ideas, and explore them in detail.
Thank you to those who have kept with this story, reviewed, favourited and followed, it means a lot! Please leave a review for this chapter telling me your thoughts on it!