Chapter 2:

"Charlie!"

"Coming dad." Came a soft voice from the garage. The elder man smiled as he watched his son moving from place to place picking pieces of paper, chalk that had broken up off the ground trying to quickly clean the garage before turning the small light to the off position and running across the water dipped dew grass towards his home, and father. Once arriving 3 minutes later he gave a happy child-like smile to his father. His father greeted it with his own more mature smile, as he placed a hand on his son's slime shoulder.

"Charlie, are sure you'll be alright while I go out?" Charlie's happy smile threatened to turn into an annoyed glare but instead he tired to make it look like he was surprised by the question.

"Dad, please I'll be fine. Don's only a phone call away and Larry's coming over, so don't worry I won't be alone."

"Alright I shouldn't be to late. Call Don, when I leave, Alright."

"Alright Dad."

"I mean it Charlie!" His father's tone was harsh and concerned as if he knew what would happen.

"I will Dad, I promise, Okay." Charlie spoke with a little more respect noting the change in his father's voice. And so with reluctance Alan Eppes smiled down at his youngest son and gently kissed his forehead, Charlie gave an energetic smile as his father shook his hair and gave a worried look as he left the house. Charlie wave goodbye to his father, now wondering what had made him so worried.

Charlie turned and looked down the halls and upstairs, he was used to this; this being alone, his father always went out on every other Friday with his friends to have a drink and go bowling, and Don would work late like usual. Charlie himself however would fight to stay up, so he could see his brother but at last knew he failed as he would wake up to Don's gently shake, telling him to go to bed. This routine however changed now Larry was coming over every other Friday, Larry kept Charlie Company. It didn't bother him but it was kinda odd, he had never really had a friend like Larry who wanted to just hang out… Charlie had never had friends come over period, but to have one so committed was just unusual. Charlie's thoughts disintegrated as a rhythmic pattern came rapping at the wooden door. Charlie opened the door the door knowing full ware of who stood on the other side, and with no doubt as the door slowly opened to reveal a curly blonde haired, blue eyed professor. It was indeed Larry; Charlie pulled the door opened fully allowing Larry to enter with out having the door in the way. Charlie closed the door and locked it as soon as Larry enters fully. Charlie pulled from the door and went over to give his friend a hug; Larry returned the hug and added a pat on the back.

Charlie went to the couch as Larry followed, they both had smiles on as they continued for a while just talking, and laughing with each other. And then it dawned on Charlie; he hadn't called his brother yet. Charlie cursed under his breath as he held a polite hand up to stop Larry.

"Hey Larry I have to call Don I'll be right back okay." Larry nodded as Charlie got up and walked down the small hallway towards the kitchen phone. Charlie picked up the phone and dialed Don's office phone, and began the wait.

Larry watched Charlie leave for the kitchen and then quickly pulled back his white dress shirt sleeve to reveal his silver wrist watch, that was set on count down with only 15 minutes and 15 seconds left to go, Larry peered down the hallway toward Charlie who began to hum.

Charlie began to hum to himself as he waited, regretting not calling sooner but decided to string it off the small amount of guilt. Don finally got on the phone.

"What Charlie!" Don yelled angrily into the phone once on. Charlie stood in silence scared to answer the wrath of his brother, and the reaction that might accrue if Charlie did answer. But at last Charlie decided to answer.

"Ah, hi Don." Charlie's voice sounded questioning to the situation, Charlie slowly licked his lips as his throat became dry. "Um, Dad told me to let ya know that he went out with some of his friends and ah--"

"That's great Charlie, now listen I have to go. I have a job to do and no time to talk to you. Got it?" Don spoke so coldly towards Charlie, Charlie wasn't sure why but decided to ask, and hopefully he would get an answer.

"Don?" Charlie spoke so softly it was amazing that Don could even hear him.

"What!" Charlie jumped in surprise at his brother's voice; Charlie slowed his breathing, as he knew he had to continue.

"What's wrong? Did a-- Um new case come up? Do you need help?" Charlie felt the moistened tears rise as his voice cracked with fear and concern for his brother. Don noticed this but paid little attention to his brother's evident pain.

"Listen Charlie, I'll talk to you when I get I get home all right?" and without even a goodbye Charlie heard the line die. Charlie thought of the words and of reasons why Don might act in such a way. After a few moments Charlie came to one conclusion, and that was he was nothing more than a time of the clock, he became nothing but a nuisances to his brother, and probably his father too. Charlie didn't know what to do, what if that's how his mother felt. Charlie's breath became harsh and raspy. As Larry appeared at the doorframe, he knocked lightly catching Charlie but just barely in mind. Charlie's features were broken and pale as if shot, or raped… Larry knew nothing like that had happened while he was in the other room. But he knew that Don was caught up in some case and took it out on Charlie, making him doubt himself even more then he did already.

"Hey, Charles is ah everything okay?" Charlie shook his head in the fashion of 'no' but kept his silence leaving Larry to come up with what to do. Larry entered the kitchen fully now noting that Charlie at least needs a hug, or at least some comforting words. As Larry entered Charlie backed away from the embrace making it clear that Charlie didn't want to be touched. Larry however persisted until he got a hand on the slim shivering shoulder.

"Charles, don't let it get to you. Don is an important person with a lot of pressure on his shoulders. You can't left his words bring you down okay?" Charlie nodded with his unsure 'Yes'. Larry gave acquaint smile to his friend, this in turned made Charlie give a weak one. "Now why don't you go and get ready for bed you look exhausted." Larry said this making the smile on Charlie increase.

"Okay, um if your hungry there's pizza in the rig." Charlie's smile brightened as he turned and left the small clean kitchen, leaving once again Larry alone to look at his silver wristwatch that now read 5 minutes and 36 seconds. Larry glanced up the stairs in which Charlie had run up just seconds before. A wicked grin passed over Larry's lips.

"It's almost time, Charles, Its almost time."