Longer chapter – sorry, this one got away from me.
Warnings: some minor talk of discipline, some heavy issues discussed, a few tears and some laughs – the usual, I guess.
Apologies for the typos – will catch and fix later.
Please review if so inclined. I try to personally thank and respond to everyone. Guests, my hearty thanks always
A few hours later, Norman awoke for the second time. This time, he didn't need to ask where he was or what happened. He remembered everything clearly. The smells and sounds of the hospital assaulted his senses and he groaned uncomfortably. His lower belly was sore and tender and the stitches were painfully stretching his skin.
Slowly, Norman shifted himself up to a seated position and tried to ignore the IV sticking out of his arm. The needle sight was sore and he would have liked to rip the damn thing out but he refrained. Another monitor was pinching his finger and there was a cuff on his right arm. The middle brother was secretly pleased that the hospital had to use an extender to get the cuff all the way around his muscular bicep.
Looking around his hospital room, Norman could see the sun rising over the horizon from his window. The window was large and, from the looks of things, he was on one of the upper floors of the hospital. That will make my escape quite the challenge. Wonder if Sig requested this room.
Surveying his surroundings, Norman's eyes focused on the blue lounge chair facing his bed. The chair still contained the same occupant as before, still dressed in his pajamas. This time, though, Edgar was wide awake, still and silent, like he was afraid to move or make a sound. He reminded Norman of a startled red-tailed deer.
Wide and worried green eyes stared back at Norman's blue ones.
After a moment, Norman managed to give the kid a blazing smile, ignoring his own discomfort and building panic about being trapped in a place he'd rather not be. Pointing at his younger brother, Norman hooked his finger and gestured for the kid to come over.
Edgar stood and hesitantly approached the bed, not wanting to get too close and somehow end up accidentally hurting his brother.
Norman gestured his finger again, this time adding a pat to the edge of the bed, indicating that Norman wanted the kid to sit next to him.
Edgar still hesitated. His older brother looked so fragile, hooked up to all those noisy machines and Edgar was overly cautious. In Edgar's opinion, Norman never looked fragile a day in his life.
Trying to swallow, Norman realized just how dry and scratchy his throat was, like someone stuck a tube down to his gullet. Spotting the pitcher of ice water by the shelf under the TV, Norman figured he could solve two problems at once.
"Edgar," Norman said in a crackly voice, "Can you bring me a glass of water?"
Edgar looked around and Norman pointed to the pitcher. Walking over and filling the little pink plastic cup with ice water, Edgar cautiously approached his older brother.
With cat-like reflexes, Norman took the cup with his right hand and his left he used to grab Edgar's hand and pull him over to the bed.
"Sit," Norman said, firmly holding onto his brother's hand. With Edgar trapped, Norman took a drink of the offered water. It was probably the best thing he'd ever tasted. The water slid down his throat and he crunched a few ice chips before putting the cup on the tray next to his bed.
Edgar had no choice to sit and watch his brother's action. He looked around, expecting a nurse to come in and admonish him for sitting on the bed.
Turning his full attention back to Edgar, Norman brushed a lock of shaggy hair out of the kid's face. "It's ok, kid. You can touch me. You won't hurt me," he said slowly.
Edgar pushed his mouth to the side, not sure if he could believe that statement.
Norman sighed and moved his brother's hand up to his own chest, directly over his heart. Feeling the steady beat that had lolled him to sleep several times this week, Edgar closed his eyes and was able to relax just a little. It was exactly what the kid needed.
"See, I'm still alive," Norman said quietly, referring to his own heartbeat, "Seems like you just can't get rid of me."
Edgar opened watery eyes and Norman pulled him close into his own chest, holding him the best he could since his arms were partially restrained by the tubes and wires.
Edgar listened to his brother's heart beating and said softly, "Norman…" then stopped, unable to vocalize how he really felt.
"I know…I know," Norman whispered, stroking his brother's fine hair, "But it's ok now. I'm gonna be fine. I'll be wrestling you on the floor before we know it."
"I thought…" Edgar said brokenly, "I thought...you'd leave us…like…mom did."
Norman lost any quick retort or comeback hanging on his lips. There was nothing he could say to that. The impact of just how frightening this whole experience must have been to his younger brother was overwhelming to him. No doubt, his older brother must have been in the same boat but was unable to show it, having to be strong for Edgar the entire time.
All that Norman could do was stroke his brother's hair and hold him, comforting him with his own heartbeat and steady breathing. After a while, Norman whispered, "I'm not going anywhere, Edgar. Well, except home…right now, as a matter of fact. Where's Sig, anyway?
Edgar muttered into the hospital gowned being stretched to its limits by Norman's budging muscles, "He went down to the cafeteria looking for coffee."
"Figures he'd leave me for coffee," Norman grumbled.
Edgar was quick to defend his oldest brother, "He hasn't slept at all, Norman, at least that I know of."
Norman grew quiet again. Although he had no control over what happened, Norman started to feel bad for what his brothers had to endure over the past several hours.
Reminding himself that no one voluntarily elects to have their appendix almost explode in their abdominal cavity, Norman pushed the guilt away. Deciding all would be well once he got home, Norman started planning his escape.
"Did Sig leave his car keys?" Norman asked his younger brother, "Maybe you can break me out of here and drive me home. We'll keep it a secret, just between you and me. Sig won't ever have to know. I'll do your chores for the next month if you help me escape, promise."
Edgar pulled back and looked up into his brother's mischievous eyes. Norman's expression was one of utter hopelessness and resigned humor. Norman noted the kid still looked lost and hadn't actually shed a single tear threatening to spill over his bottom eyelashes.
Managing a small smile, Edgar pretended to think about the offer. After careful thought, he said, "Two months?"
"Sold," Norman said with an agreeing nod.
"Don't you think Sig will know something's up when finds his car is missing? Then we'll both get in trouble and I'll get the paddle for sure," Edgar widened his eyes in mock fear.
"No paddle for you, little brother," Norma said reassuringly, "I just haven't worked out the minor details yet. Give me a minute and I'll come up with something,"
Looking closely at his younger brother's face for the first time, Norman put a finger up to the scratch under Edgar's eye. "What's this?" he asked, instantly concerned.
Edgar shyly dipped his injured cheek into his shoulder, trying to hide the small injury and pulled away from his brother.
"Ed…gerr," Norman hesitated, concern interwoven in his voice, "Did I do that?" Just exactly HOW bad did things get last night?
"No," Edgar answered quickly, rubbing a little at the scratch.
"Then how'd it get there? Sig ruffin' you up again?" Norman asked, watching his brother rub at the wound and coming to realization that this was a self-inflicted injury. Oh my God, this kid must be traumatized, having to witness what happened last night after just losing our mother so unexpectedly.
Edgar didn't get a chance to answer. A young, pretty nurse entered the room, carrying a tray. Startled by the noise, Edgar jumped away quickly, like he'd just been caught smoking. He shuffled over to stand and look out the big window and away from his brother.
Norman ignored the nurse for a moment and stared at the back of his brother's head. Edgar's shoulders and back were rigid and his whole body seemed tense, like he was having an internal fight with his emotions. The kid is NOT ok. He's jumpy and skittish and definitely 'off.' Norman was genuinely concerned for his younger brother and made a mental note to speak to Sig about it later.
"Mr. Hansen," the nurse brought the tray over and placed it on the swivel tray next to the bed, "It's nice to see you awake. How are you feeling?"
"Like I've been kicked in the stomach by a bucking bronco, ma'am," Norman said, his eyes moving slowly over the young nurse's legs, "But the sight of you makes me feel better already."
The nurse giggled, waving a hand at the cheesy come-on and placed the tray in front of Norman. Removing the lid, she said, "Breakfast is served. Eat up, you'll need your strength to get better for real."
Looking at the offering, Norman glanced back up the nurse and said flatly, "Ah, ma'am, if you want me to get my strength back, I'm gonna need something more than this." On the tray were a small dish of diced bananas, two pieces of toast and a tiny bowl of plain applesauce. In Norman's opinion, this mean won't satisfy a mouse.
"Sorry, Mr. Hansen," the nurse added, almost happy to gain a little revenge for the earlier pick-up-line, "It's called the BRAT diet and you need to get use to it for a little while."
"The what diet?"
"B.R.A.T. Brat diet."
"Sounds perfect for him," Sig added, suddenly appearing in the doorway and leaning against the doorframe. In his hand was the beloved coffee he had to search three floors to find. He flashed Norman a smile and noted out of the corner of his eye that Edgar was no longer occupying the blue chair.
Edgar jumped at the sound of his oldest brother's voice but did not turn around. He continued staring at the window and felt strangely lost, cold and distant.
The nurse turned to Sig and smiled, "BRAT – Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast. You'll need to know that for when young Mr. Hansen here goes home. We'll give you a list of home-care instructions when your brother's discharged. It will give you information like what he can and cannot eat, as well as aftercare procedures to follow and medication he'll need to take."
"It'll be like taking home a new pet," Sig smiled and entered the room, ignoring Norman's death glare directed solely at him.
"Speaking of home, when will I be seeing the place, ma'am?" Norman asked, resigning himself to the dry toast and a slice of banana.
"Well," the nurse went about checking monitors and the IV bottle, "If you behave yourself, perhaps this evening."
"I'll be good, no complaining about the food or nothing," Norman said with his mouth full of partially chewed dry bread.
"That will make life easier for the both of us. Can I get you anything else for now?" the nurse asked.
"That's a loaded question, ma'am," Norman said with a sly smile, taking another bold glance at the pretty set of pins sticking out from the short, white skirt.
"Behave, Mr. Hansen," the nurse scolded him but with a sly smile herself.
"On second thought, could I have some hot tea? Pleeeaasse?" Norman asked quietly, pursing his lips together and flashing his baby blues like a pro. Sig was impressed Norman could still pull out those classic looks that almost always got him out of the corner long before his full time had been served.
The nurse must have been impressed as well because she agreed to bring up a pot of plain tea as soon as possible. Then she reminded Norman the doctor would be in to check on him shortly and left. Norman's eyes watched her skirt swish from side to side as she walked away.
Sig shook his head slowly at Norman and Norman smirked. See, I'm very much alive. Now, take me home.
As Norman was crunching on his second piece of toast, he made eye contact with Sig and tilled his head over to Edgar. Edgar was still standing at the window, his back to both of them.
Sig put his hands up. What?
"Something is wrong?" Norman mouthed silently, again tilling his head to indicate he was speaking about Edgar behind his back.
A sad look crossed over Sig's face and he stared at the back of Edgar's stiff shoulders. Looking back at Norman, he tried to silently communicate all he wanted to say but couldn't. Sig put his hand over his own heart and clenched his fist, looking desperate.
The desperation on Sig's face made Norman frown and furrow his brow. Maybe there is a lot more going on with Edgar than I realized.
Taking a breath, Sig said loudly, "So, in my quest to find coffee, I ended up on the maternity floor." Taking the lounge chair for himself, Sig spread out and casually leaned back, purposely ignoring his youngest brother. Yet, the conversation was obviously intended for Edgar's ears.
Norman took the hint. "Did you get to see the babies?" he asked excitedly.
"Sure did," Sig responded loudly, "And a little girl who was asking for a certain someone. She has someone special she'd like him to meet."
Edgar's ears perked up and curiosity got the best of him. Turning around, he asked Sig, "Was it a boy or a girl?"
Sig smiled over at Norman. "Go see for yourself, kid. Next floor down. She's waiting for you in the hallway with her dad. You'll see them as soon as you get off the elevator."
Edgar took off.
Sig called after him, "Ten minutes, then come RIGHT back here. Any longer and I'm having you paged over the entire hospital."
"Yes, sir," Edgar paused and answered respectfully. Then he left the room.
Waiting a moment to hear the elevator doors open and shut, Norman raised an eyebrow, "What was that all about?"
Sig shrugged and smiled, "You know our brother. He makes friends wherever he goes. It seems he stole the heart of a six year old girl last night who was waiting to become a big sister."
"Was it a boy or girl?"
"A boy. The dad looks exhausted, overwhelmed and about to explode with pride."
Norman slurped up his applesauce, practically licking the bowl clean. He was so hungry and this meal just wasn't cutting it. "Do you think dad was that proud when we were born?" he asked absentmindedly, looking longingly to a now empty plate.
"Well," Sig said slowly, "I'm sure he was when I was born. You, on the other hand, I think he wanted to return."
"No, smart ass, that was Edgar," Norman rolled his eyes, "They wanted a girl. We're lucky our parents didn't try to exchange him when they had the chance."
Sig laughed, "Could you imagine if he had been a sister? Jesus, that would have made the sex talk last night about a bazillion times harder than it already was."
Norman did not join in his brother's laughter. Thinking about the events of the previous night and Edgar's unusual behavior this morning, Norman did something he rarely ever did; he turned the conversation serious.
"Sig, something's wrong with him."
"I know. I picked up on that."
Norman shifted his body slowly so that he could have a better look at his brother. A wince of pain flashed over Norman's face. Sig started to rise but Norman shooed him away.
"Sit down, asshole," Norman said as he tried to get comfortable, "You will NOT baby ME."
"Ha," Sig said, leaning back in the chair, "Once I get you home, you have no choice but to let me baby you…so fucking deal with it."
Norman did not like the sound of that. "Fuck off."
"I'll feed you just bananas and toast for a week so watch your mouth," Sig responded with a stern finger pointed in Norman's direction.
"I hate being helpless," Norman grumbled, accepting the embarrassing situation that he'd likely be at his older brother's mercy for the next few days and Sig was going to take this as an opportunity to satisfy his new-found paternal instincts.
Sig gave his brother a sympathetic smile, "You'll make a full recovery in no time, Norman."
"Maybe so, but I'm not so sure about Edgar. Seems like he's pretty broken up," Norman said softly. Thinking for a minute, Norman asked quietly, "Sig, can I tell you something without you getting mad?"
Sig gave his brother a confused look but nodded, "No guarantees, but I'll try not to punch you…in the stomach, at least."
Norman seemed embarrassed but he spoke clearly, "Edgar wanted me to stay with him last night. I didn't want too (ok, that's a lie - I wanted too but I'm afraid to tell you that) but I did. There was no real reason for me to sleep next to him. He wasn't hurtin' or scared of the storm. He just wanted me to be near him."
"Norman, why on Earth would I be mad about that?" Sig asked.
Norman dropped his shoulders and bowed his head. "I dunno. Guess cause there was no good reason for me to be sleeping in Edgar's room."
Sig cocked his head to the side and stared at the top of his brother's head. Putting his coffee cup on the windowsill, Sig got up and sat on the edge of the bed. "Hey, look at me. There's something we gotta talk about and it looks like it can't wait any longer."
Norman looked up and gave his brother his direct attention.
"Ok, one, I am NOT dad," Sig started. This was going to be a long speech and Sig didn't have much time to convey what he needed to get across so he just kept going, "Two, you think there was no good reason for you to sleep next to our little brother. Well, let me tell you some damn good fucking reasons."
"First of all," Sig explained, "Edgar may act like he's tough and grown up but deep down, he's still a little kid. A little kid that lost the most important person in his life without warning or explanation. Afterwards, his father ignored him, too caught up in his grief to pay much attention to his youngest son. His older brothers…"
Norman put a hand on his brother's forearm, stopping him, "Don't, Sig. Don't say it. It hurts too much." We abandoned our little brother. I know it. Just don't say it.
A look past between them and the brothers grew somber.
Feeling pressured, Sig went on, "Edgar's world was turned upside down. Everything he knew, everything he came to rely on in his life was gone. So, he turned to self-destruction and started hanging out with scum and lowlifes. And, to be very honest with you, Norman, I think some very bad things happened to him down at the Shack."
Norman leaned forward, a strange look in his eyes. "What do you mean, bad things?" he asked in a low growl.
Sig ran his hand over his hair, "I'm not sure, but at the very least, they treated him…badly…down there."
Norman took a second to absorb that information. He never thought about it before but now, he wanted to kill someone. He just didn't know who to start with first.
"So," Sig said, seeing his brother mentally plotting revenge (just like me last night in the kitchen) and wanting to move the conversation to its intended conclusion, "The kid has been through a whole hell of a lot. He's suffering, Norman. I just didn't realize how much until last night. He was the one that found you, you know…in the bathroom."
"Oh God," Norman whispered, covering his mouth with his hand.
"Norman, I'm telling you, I thought he was going to completely lose it. I mean that. The look on his face was downright scarier than seeing you unconscious. Well, almost anyway. Edgar was absolutely terrified that you were gonna to die."
Norman moved his hand from his mouth, "The scratch on his face…"
"You saw that, huh? Did it to himself. Yeah, that's how upset he was."
"I'm so sorry," Norman whimpered slightly.
Sig gave his brother a wry smile, "For what? Infecting your own appendix? Don't be ridiculous. Just be grateful the kid drank all the tea and chocolate milk before going to bed. Otherwise, who knows what could have happened." Sig took a deep breath of courage and gently ghost the faint black and blue knot over his brother's right eye.
Completely unexpected, Norman tipped his head and grazed his brother's hand for the briefest of seconds. Then he pulled away, still not completely comfortable with that much affection.
"So," Sig pulled his hand back, "by another stroke of bad luck and NO ONE'S FAULT (Sig gave his brother a hard look), the kid had to endure another trauma on top of all the others. Luckily, this one turned out with a happy ending."
"But he's still upset, Sig."
"Yes, and may be for a long time. I don't think these things just go away overnight, Norman. So, if he's clingy or insecure or…whatever…we have to be there for him. No matter what. If he wants us to sleep next to him because he needs the reassurance or the comfort, then that's what we do. We don't question it. Whatever he needs, a hug or to be told he's loved, we do it. No guilt, no feeling like we need to make excuses to be the big brothers he needs. Make sense?" Sig finished with a short flourish of his hand.
Norman looked past his brother and out the window. "And dad? What's he gonna say about all this?" Norman asked, unable to hide the twinge of hate and resentment in his voice.
Now it was Sig's turn to shift uncomfortably, not from pain or soreness but from something else. Apprehension. "Let's not worry about that now. Dad won't be home for a long while," he said, almost like he was comforting himself.
Norman turned cold blue eyes to his brother. "Sig," he said softly, "He's gonna come home eventually. And how do we go back now that we got this far?"
Sig's lip quivered and he had to bite down on it to stop the motion. He swallowed hard and tried to find the right words to answer this all important question. Norman watched him struggle and knew there would be no easy answer.
The stare off between them was interrupted by Dr. Hubert entering the room, followed by several nurses that went about checking this and that.
Sig gave his brother one last look. The look read pure determination. I will make this right. Somehow, I will find a way to make this all turn out alright in the end.
Getting up from the bed, Sig greeted the doctor with an outstretched hand.
"I didn't thank you proper last night, sir," Sig said firmly and with direct eye contact, "Thank you for saving my brother's life." At the end of the statement, Sig's voice wavered slightly, the word's 'my brother's life' coming out a little choked.
Dr. Hubert accepted the handshake and thanks with a broad smile. "He was the model patient," the doctor said, turning his head towards the patient himself. Grabbing the chart hanging off the end of the bed, the doctor examined the scribbled notes.
Norman liked that he was a model patient. I could be a model. I'd put all those underwear models to shame. Wouldn't even need a sock, either.
"No fever. That's good," Dr. Hubert said, looking over the chart and then turned back to Sig, "You'll have to monitor him carefully for any signs of fever or infection for the next few days. I'll be sending home antibiotics that need to be taken carefully as directed. Lots of bed rest, no driving or any lifting for the next week. I'll also give you some painkillers just in case he needs them."
Norman looked like he'd just been given the ultimate insult. "Antibiotics, no working out, dry toast for supper…I'll do. You can keep the painkillers," Norman crossed his arms over his chest, tubes sticking out all over the place. He raised his chin up and glared at the doctor.
Sig gave his brother a stern warning glare from behind the doctor. "Sorry, sir," Sig stared at Norman, "He's the difficult one in the family." Sig mouthed silently to his brother, "I'm gonna smack you."
Since Norman was a good lip reader, he sighed and was instantly contrite, "Sorry, doctor."
"No problem, Mr. Hansen," the doctor laughed inwardly, sensing there was a conversation going on behind him. Having several brothers himself, Dr. Hubert was amused and also pleased that Norman was seemingly making a quick recovery. "I'll send the painkillers home just in case."
"And when will I be sent home?" Norman asked hopefully.
The doctor nodded over the chart and said, "Tonight, if all goes well. Now, let me check your stitches and see if we can't get that IV out of your arm and get you up and about. That should help you feel better."
"I'll step outside," Sig said with a nervous cough, not wanting to watch and add to his brother's already embarrassing situation.
"Hey," Norman whined after his brother, "Where ya goin'?"
Sig smiled, "I'm going to check on Edgar. Knowing him, he's probably filling out adoption paperwork and trying to bring home a little brother for himself."
"You're coming back, right?" Norman asked quickly, looking around the heavyset nurse that was trying to lift his bedding off him.
Sig laughed, "Yes, Norman, I'll be back."
Sig found Edgar in the nursery. He was sitting in a rocking chair and holding the new baby brother of the little girl. The proud new sister was fast asleep in her father's arms as he rocked her back and forth on his shoulder. The man whispered to Sig that he lied and said Edgar was a family member so that he could hold the baby. Sig smiled and thanked him.
Spotting his brother and realizing he went past his allotted ten minutes, Edgar started to stand and hand the baby back to the nurse. "Sorry," he whispered to his oldest brother.
Sig put his hand on Edgar's shoulder, encouraging him to stay seated and continue holding the baby. Sig knelt down and looked at the sleeping infant.
"Amazing, isn't it, how something so small can be so..." Sig whispered, lost for the right word.
"Miraculous?" Edgar finished his brother.
Sig raised an eyebrow and bowed his head with respect. His little brother had found just the right word. "Miraculous."
"He's so little, Sig."
"You were once that small, too," Sig said, hit with long forgotten memories, "I used to hold you just like that…when you were a baby."
Edgar's eyes grew wide, "Really?"
"Yeah, when I was allowed and heavily supervised. I was only five years old but I remember holding you. You were so soft and huggable. What happened?"
"Sig," Edgar whispered and rolled his eyes.
Sig laughed. "Just kidding. You're still huggable. I also remember Norman pitching a fit and throwing an epic temper-tantrum because he was deemed too young to hold you," Sig said proudly.
"Was I good baby?" Edgar asked quietly, staring at the miniature hand with all its wrinkled and flaky skin.
Sig wanted to say 'Edgar, you already know you were. You used to ask mom that all the time and she'd tell you that you were the easiest of all her babies. Then, you'd rub it in my face,' but Sig stopped himself. Maybe it's important that my youngest brother still has someone that can answer these kinds of questions.
"The best, kid," Sig said finally, stroking the back of his brother's neck for just a brief second. Still are.
Edgar sighed deeply. As it turns out, holding a sleeping baby was tremendously therapeutic for him and he hesitated giving the baby back to the maternity nurse. After a few more minutes, he did just that.
The brothers congratulated the proud and tired father one final time and left the maternity floor. As they left, Sig said a quick prayer that the three of them would not be needing this particular floor of the hospital anytime soon.
Stopping off to make a phone call, Sig handed his brother some change and directed him to the vending machine. He felt like the worse big brother in the world when Edgar came back with only a Kit Kat bar for breakfast. I've got to get this kid home, fed, and changed into something other than his pajamas. And we have grocery shopping today because the last banana in the house is in the trash can and covered with an unused condom.
Realizing they had to go home at some point, Sig made his call and then walked Edgar back to Norman's room.
Norman was watching TV and drinking a cup of hot tea from his own personal tea pot. The IV was gone as well as some of the other monitors. His blood pressure monitor was still on but Norman seemed much happier than before.
That was until he spied his younger brother's Kit Kat bar. Like a dog watching his family eat dinner from under the dining room table, Norman's eyes grew wide with desire and his lips grew wet with saliva. He licked his lips and held out his hand, making a pinching crab motion towards his beloved and ignorant younger brother.
Edgar broke off one of the two remaining rectangular pieces. Innocent of the special dietary restriction, Edgar was about to lean over and hand the candy to Norman. Norman clapped his hands in a malicious fashion as the candy approached. Unfortunately, the chocolate was snatched up and away by the eldest brother, who popped it into his own mouth, chewing slowly and making "mmm" sounds for Norman's benefit.
"Noooo," Norman whined as the chocolate disappeared. So close but no success.
Edgar scolded his oldest brother, "Sig, that was really, really mean." Edgar folded his arms over his chest and was willing to go and beg strangers for change so he could purchase another candy for Norman.
"No, kid, he's not allowed to have it. He was tricking you and he better stop it cause you'll have to take care of him while I'm at work. If he gives you any trouble, put it on the list," Sig said, licking a tiny bit of chocolate from the corner of his mouth.
Norman hissed softly at the motion.
Edgar turned accusing eyes to his older brother, "You were tricking me?"
"Necessary evil, kid," Norman explained, sipping his tea and looking less than apologetic.
"Selfishness is more like it," Sig added, walking past his youngest brother and whispering in his ear, "He'd kill for anything other than toast at the moment so don't take it personal, kid. He would try to trick a saint right now if said saint had some chocolate in his or her pocket."
Edgar laughed and Sig put an arm around his shoulder, laughing with him.
"What the hell is so funny?" Norman bristled, "I'm all stitched up, appendixless and stuck here in this hospital and you guys think this is something funny?" Actually, kid, your laughter was the best thing I've heard all day.
Sig laughed again, moving away from his brothers and settling himself on the windowsill. "What'ch watching, anyway?" he asked, motioning to the TV.
"An old episode of Bonanza. Just started," Norman explained.
Edgar turned the blue chair around to face the TV and made himself comfortable, "Mommy use to watch this ALL the time. She loved this show."
"More like she loved Little Joe," Sig laughed as he reclined in the window, "She always had a special spot in her heart for the youngest."
Edgar ignored the remark which was clearly directed at him. She loved you both too. Otherwise, she'd never have come to warn me in my sleep. She was there, warning me to wake up and check on my brother. I know it was her. It wasn't just a dream - it was a sign. I'll tell you guys about it when the time is right, not now, cause you won't believe me. I don't feel like talking about it right now anyway.
The brothers watch the TV and commented during commercials. "Why'd these guys never get married anyway?" Norman asked.
"Cause all their wives and girlfriends ended up dead or getting shot. Even pa had three wives, all of which died. If you were a girl on the Ponderosa, would you run the risk," Sig explained his logic.
"I like the horses…and the campfires," Edgar chimed in.
"You would," Norman said, tossing an extra pillow over towards Edgar's direction. Sig caught the pillow in mid-air, handing it gently to his youngest brother with a smile. Edgar decided not to return the pillow and used it to make himself more comfortable in the easy chair.
"Hey," Norman exclaimed, "That's mine."
"Shouldn't have thrown it then," Sig answered without casting a look in Norman's direction.
"Shh, it's back on," Edgar said quickly before his brothers could get into an argument. "How can one family know so many people? That ranch was like Grand Central Station?"
"And no one ever stayed. Even Adam eventually left," Sig added.
Edgar glanced over at his oldest brother, "Why did Adam leave, Sig?" Why do older brothers leave…and never come back?
Sig shook his head, wanting to kick himself. Stupid comment. "I don't remember. Better job offer at a nearby ranch or movie script, I guess."
"Didn't matter," Norman said causally, "Adam was so full of himself, I didn't miss him or his guitar. On the other hand, Hoss was the best. He made the show."
Like always, by the time the show was over, all was well on the Ponderosa once more.
"Well, we havin' to headin' back to our own ranch there, little partner," Sig looked over at Edgar and said with the worst western accent anyone could imagine. The humor didn't work.
As if on cue, Norman and Edgar started whining and protesting like two kids being separated after a long and fun day at the park. Sig let them rattle on for a while, listening to the "But I want to stay with Norm" and "You said you won't leave, jerkface" and "Can we stay a little longer Sig?" and "God damn it, you better take me home with you."
After finally hearing enough, Sig put both hands up, palms flat and facing separate directions. The chattering protests stopped immediately. "Norman, unless you want to go home in that hospital gown, with your bare backside sticking out the back, we have to go home and get you a change of clothes. And, Edgar, you can't run around in your jammies for the rest of the day. Plus, there's things we've got to do. So, I'm taking Edgar home, Norman is staying here and we'll be back in a few hours," Sig said with the finality of a parent.
Both younger brothers accepted the wise decision quietly, having no choice since their oldest brother was annoyingly correct. Just like Adam, Norman thought.
Hearing a small commotion and familiar voices in the hallway, Sig smiled knowingly at Norman, "Don't worry, tough guy. You won't be alone. I made some calls."
As soon as the words got out of Sig's mouth, Amanda, Amanda's best friend, Megan, and several of Norman's high school buddies came storming into the room.
Carrying balloons and flowers, Amanda almost cried when she saw her boyfriend for the first time. Edgar and Sig collected the offerings and set them about the room.
Amanda threw her arms gingerly around Norman's neck and sobbed like only girls can. He held her closely and whispered soft words into her ear so that only she could hear them.
Edgar noted that Megan tossed a shy look at Sig and that Sig ignored the obvious glance. Someone has a crush on my oldest brother but he is either oblivious or purposefully not interested.
Norman's high school buddies were already busting his chops about the whole ordeal, claiming that he just wanted Amanda's fawning and affection and to get out of work for a while. One of his buddies, a fellow co-worker, teased Norman about already taking the extra shifts at the hardware store and thanked him for the unexpected spending cash.
The room was getting overcrowded and Norman was too busy soaking up all the attention to notice both his brothers quietly slipping out of the room. By the time Norman noticed their absence, Sig and Edgar were on their way home.
