Charlie's POV

Fear washed over me. There was something wrong with Don. Oh, God. Had he gone to the hospital, too? Was he sick? Dying?

"Oh, God," I breathed.

"Charlie, I don't know how to say this..."

"You're dying," I finished for him.

"What? No, Charlie. Nothing like that."

I sighed with relief. Then what was it?

"Charlie, I haven't been completely honest with you about what happened when you fell down the steps. Actually, I've barely told you the truth."

This couldn't be good.

"Do you remember feeling bad at school?"

"Yes."

"Do you remember coming down to my offices when I told you to go home?"

"Yes."

"How much after that?"

"Not much. I remember driving home. It was quiet. That's about it, though."

"That's what I figured." Don took a deep breath. "When we got home, you went upstairs. I was really mad because you disobeyed me. I knew you were sick, and you didn't need to be working. So, I followed you upstairs and yelled at you a lot. You kept moving away from me. You looked awful, like you were ready to pass out. But I kept on yelling anyway. And then, you yelled at me to shut up. I got really mad. I came toward you, and you backed up, scared of me. And you went too far and then fell down the stairs."

I gasped.

The events flashed in front of my eyes. Don was going to hit me. That's why I backed up. I was afraid of being hit. "Buddy, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for it to happen. If I had realized how close to the steps you were, I would never have come so close to you. I-"

"Were you going to hit me?" I asked, staring him straight in the eye.

He sighed, then looked down at his hands. When he raised his head to answer me, tears were shining in his eyes.

"Yes." He answered simply.

I stood on shaky legs. This couldn't be happening. Don was the reason I fell down the steps?

"Charlie. Please. Say something," Don pleaded.

I walked toward the living room. Don followed.

"Buddy... I'm so so sorry."

I nearly fell as my legs began to give out. Don grabbed me by my good arm.

"Let go of me," I hissed.

"Charlie-"

"Go away."

"But, Charlie-"

"Get out!" I screamed.

Don took a step back. I glared at him.

He backed to the door.

"I'm really sorry, Buddy," He said before leaving.

I went as fast as I could to the couch where I promptly passed out.

Alan's POV

When I got home, I was surprised to find it so quiet.

I expected Don to be watching tv with Charlie, or something like that. But Don was no where to be found.

I found Charlie collapsed on the couch. He was in a position that told me he hadn't chose to lay like that. It looked like he passed out.

I leaned down in front of him. I brushed the hair out of his face and placed a hand on his forehead. He seemed awfully hot. I wondered if he remember to take his medicine.

"Charlie? Wake up, kiddo," I said as I shook him.

He muttered something incoherent as he woke himself up.

"Dad?"

"Yeah, I'm here, kiddo. Are you okay? You feel warm."

"I think so."

"Did you take your medicine?"

He thought for a minute, then shook his head no.

"I'll go get it."

I stood and went to the kitchen to get his antibiotics and a glass of water.

When I came back, Charlie had his head in his hands, looking distressed.

"Charlie? What's the matter?"

He looked up at me and I saw the fear and abandonment in his eyes.

"Nothing," He mumbled as he took the glass and pills from me.

"Nothing, huh?" Why did Don and Charlie have to inherit their mother's stubborn pride that kept them from talking about their feelings?

"Where's your brother?" I asked.

"I don't know." He said a little too angrily.

So something happened between those two. What would make Charlie that mad? And if Charlie was this mad, I'd hate to see Don.

Don's POV

I drove around town, knowing nothing else to do. I could go to work, but I'm not prepared to meet their questioning gazes.

I finally had to pull over. My eyes were filled with tears and I could barely see the road ahead.

I turned the car off and sat staring ahead until the tears took over.

I leaned my head on the steering wheel.

Sobs shook me.

How could I have let this happen? I knew if I waited it'd only be worse. Why hadn't I told him from the beginning? Would it have made any difference?

The anger, fear, and sadness in Charlie's eyes was what tore at me. He thought I didn't care anymore. He thought I did it on purpose. But I didn't!

Would I ever be able to get my brother back?

Charlie's POV

After taking another nap when the medicine took over, I went downstairs.

Dad was in the basement doing the laundry. I was called to the garage.

I hadn't been in here in over a week. It was weird being gone so long.

I picked up a piece of chalk.

I stumbled toward a chalkboard.

Taking my piece of chalk, I began to write an equation I knew all too well.

Alan's POV

"Charlie?" I called when I didn't see him in his room.

I found him in the worst place. He was in the garage.

"You hungry?" I asked as I stepped inside.

He already had two of the four chalkboards filled.

"Not right now, Dad," He said absently.

"Okay. I'll start supper soon. I'll let you know when it's done."

"Okay."

I left the garage.

Whatever happened between those two must have been worse than I anticipated.

I grabbed the phone and dialed Don's cell phone. On the third ring, he answered.

"Eppes." I heard the tightening of his voice, as though he had been crying.

"Hello, Donnie. I was wondering if you'd like to come over for dinner?"

"Did Charlie say anything about it?" He asked timidly.

"Charlie? No. It's my house, too. I can invite you. Why would he mind? He never has before."

"Um, I don't think I can, Dad."

"And why not?"

"Um...I have to work."

"Don. It's Saturday. You never work on Saturday."

"I have to today. It's a special case. I've got to go, Dad. I'll talk to you later."

He hung up before I could get another word in.

I was getting very worried about my two sons. Whatever had gone on between them it must have been serious.

A half an hour later, I finished cooking supper.

"Charlie? You ready to eat?" I asked as I came into the garage.

"Um, I'm kind of busy, Dad."

"Okay. I'll leave it out here then."

"Thanks."

I left to get a plate for Charlie. I left it on his desk in the garage on top of a bunch of papers.

When I returned before going to bed, the plate had gone untouched.

What was going on?