Chapter Eleven
When a gurney came into the room, Don didn't give any indication that he was aware of it.
But when they took him out of his room and headed towards the ICU, Don cracked one eye open as he was pushed into the room.
There on one bed was Charlie, still hooked up to the machines, and still alive.
Alan was sitting by Charlie's bed, watching the doctor's get Don situated in the one remaning bed in the room.
Once they were done, they left.
Don just sat up as straight as he could, his eyes never leaving his brother's still form.
"Charlie." Don muttered in disbelief as he took in all of the machines that his brother was hooked up to.
He knew it was to much to hope that Charlie would answer back, but when he didn't, Don nearly lost it.
How had this happened? How had everything come to this?
Don was supposed to always be there to protect Charlie, he had promised his younger brother, hadn't he?
Well, he had just failed that promise, miserably.
Alan knew that Don was beating himself up when he had no call to.
Walking over to his oldest son, he laid a supporting hand on Don's shoulder.
Don smiled gratefully at his father, happy that his father understood what he needed.
But then, more than anything, Don needed to see his brother's eyes. Hear his clear voice, see his sweet smile.
Clearing his throat, Don laid back down and closed his eyes, hoping that the light of day would bring along some changes.
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One Week Later
Don was sitting in the hospital chair listening to the radio as his gaze shifted from his brother, to the bed, to the tile, and back.
The local radio station, unbelievably was playing a song from Mystery Science Theater 3000, which had been in one of the movies.
Which one, Don couldn't remember exactly, but he remembered the song.
After the song ended, a new song began. One that Don also knew.
The song had been one of his mother's favorites.
Why, Don didn't know, his mother just liked it!
"It's Friday night in a parking lot behind the DewDrop Inn.
There's Dwight and Dwaine, and Jimmy James the best and worst of friends.
They don't behave like they were raised to act like mom and dad.
Hold on them good ole' boys are bad." The artist sang.
Don closed his eyes as he imagined his mom singing along to the song.
"Sippin' whiskey from a Dixie cup and lyin..ta each other till long past sunup
Playin studs for two weeks pay...but that's ok.
They wake up late and have to ask what kind of time they had.
Hold on Them Good Ole' Boys are Bad."
The tears threatened to come as he thought of his mother, but he held them back as the song continued.
"The laides come the laides go they never seem to stay.
The boys will give em' plenty but they won't give their hearts away.
When they leave at least they leave unsatisfied not sad
Hold on them good ole' boys are bad.
Sippin' whiskey from a Dixie cup and lyin...ta each other till long past sunup
Playin studs for two weeks pay...but that's ok.
They wake up late and have to ask what kind of time they had.
Hold on Them Good Ole' Boys are Bad."
A slight tapping on the bed turned Don's attention to his brother, who was awake and tapping his index finger in time with the music.
"Charlie?" Don asked.
Charlie smiled at his brother lovingly..
It was the same goofy smile that Don had come to love.
When Charlie had been taken off life support two days ago, Don had expected the worst, but disspite all the odds, his younger brother had kept breathing on his own!
When the artist began to sing again, both Charlie and Don sang along, though Don's voice was slightly stronger than Charlie's.
"They wake up late and have to ask what kind of time they had.
Hold on Them Good Ole' Boys are bad.
But baby they ain't growin up, they're only growin ole'.
Cuz' underneath the outlaw skin there beats a heart of gold.
They need their fun cuz' everyone's a school of hard luck grad's.
Hold on them good ole' boys ain't bad.
Sippin' whiskey from a Dixie cup and lyin..ta each other till long past sunup
Playin studs for two weeks pay...but that's ok.
They wake up late and have to ask what kind of time they had.
Hold on Them Good Ole' Boys are Bad.
Hold on Them Good Ole' Boys are Bad.
Hold on Them Good Ole' Boys are Bad." Both Eppes boy's sang.
As the song ended, Don reached over and hugged Charlie, who returned the hug as best he could.
Not two seconds later, the door opened and Alan walked in.
"What's goin' on in here? I heard singing when I was out in the ha..." Alan said, before he realized Charlie was awake.
Alan rushed over to Charlie's side to check out his son for himself, while Don just sat back in his chair and smiled.
Everything was returning to normal.
His brother was alive and concious, though he still would have to go back and have his heart murmur taken care of, though the doctor had assured them that the odds of success were good, now that Charlie was finally on the mend.
Yep, things were right with the world, and Don wouldn't have it any other way.
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A/N:
Well there you have it. The story's basically complete.
I might add a epilogue if you all want one, it just depends.
Let me know what you think, and want and I will try and do my best to meet it.