"Carol…"

She pulled away from him and began to pace the room. "Why did this have to happen, Mike? Sandy was a good person! I –I mean he never-. He'd just had a few drinks! And so did I! We were just fine! He was fine, just some bumps and bruises and a broken leg! He-he was laughing and happy and... Oh God, why does it hurt so much?"

"Carol…"

Mike was holding her now, preventing her from moving any more. And when she turned to look at him, his face was blurred by her tears. "It's' not fair!" She yelled. He deserved a second chance! Everyone gets them! I-."

"Shhh… It's okay, Carol. I'm so sorry." Mike said softly as he rubbed her back.

She clung to him, sobbing uncontrollably as she dampened his shirt with her tears. She was sure that he was going to push her away and yell at her for ruining his stupid shirt, but amazingly he didn't do anything. He just stood there, holding her while she cried.

"It's not fair!" She sobbed. "It's not fair! H-he was my boyfriend! And he said that I was his girlfriend!"

"I know. I know." He said, his soft voice soothing her. But when he sniffled, she relied that he was crying as well. But that was crazy… he barely knew Sandy.

"You're right. Sandy was a good person." Mike said. "It was easy to see how much he cared about you."

She broke free of her brother's embrace. "Then why did this have to happen, Mike? Why?"

"I-I don't know, Carol. I-I wish I could tell you, but I can't."

"I'll never find another boyfriend!"

"That's ridiculous. Of course you will. Just give it some time."

"I-I can't!"

"Carol, Sandy wouldn't want you to be alone. He'd want you to be happy and find someone new. But when you're ready. Don't rush into anything, okay? It's going to take time but you'll know when that time is. But don't let anyone tell you how you're feeling, because only you know that."

She bit her lip to hide her grin, an actual grin! "You sound just like Dad."

Mike put his hand on his forehead. "Oh God, I do, don't I? Well, I just meant-."

"Mike, I'm sorry." She blurted out.

"What are you talking about?"

"Th-that night, when we came home from the hospital and you told us that Doug had called about Sandy."

"Look, Carol, I know what you're going to say, and please… don't beat yourself up about this, all right?"

"I'm sorry that I didn't believe you, Mike. I'm really, really sorry. I just-."

"It's okay."

"I love you, Mike, all right? There, I said it! I know that I'm always saying that I hate you, but I don't, Mike. I really don't!"

Suddenly she felt him kiss her hair; something that had never, ever happened before. And then after a long pause, he spoke again.

"I love you too, Carol. And I know I don't always say it but it's true. If you ever want to talk… about Sandy or anything at all, I'm here for you."

"We're here too, Carol."

She looked up, as tears fell onto her cheeks. "Mom… Dad… And Ben."

The three of them entered the room and joined Mike and Carol in a hug. As a family the four of them cried over the loss of the boy who had changed all of their lives.

Never before had Carol felt so loved. And she believed… she truly believed that she was going to be all right.

Sandy would make sure of it.

THE END