Not Letting You Go

Chapter 21

A week after the impromptu session with both Donnie and Charlie, Dr. Miller decided to start the family sessions. For the most part these ended up straightforward sessions. Each family member was able to come to terms with the incident that terrible night, as well as with other events inside the family.

Alan came to realize he wasn't really angry about the fact his wife and youngest son would more-than-likely be moving to the other side of the country, but that he was afraid of being left behind. Margaret helped him understand that everything would be okay. Although it would undoubtedly be tough sometimes, but the love they shared for one another would see them through.

Margaret also came to realize, though it didn't come out in a session, that she hoped Charlie would never find out about that first night in the hospital. She knew if he ever did find out about what she had said and done to Donnie, he would be absolutely heartbroken, and that realization showed her that she needed to clear something up with her eldest son. So one day after they had returned home from Dr. Miller's, while Alan and Charlie were making a supermarket run, she called Donnie to join her on the back porch.

Donnie came out the door. Seeing his mother staring off into space he quietly asked, "Mom you okay?" He sat down next to her and waited for her to answer.

"Donnie," she took a deep breath, "that night in the hospital… I am so sorry for what I did to you…"

"Mom…" Donnie tried to interrupt, but Margaret stopped him.

"No, Donnie. You need to understand, I was wrong. I wasn't thinking straight. We thought we were loosing your brother, then I saw that note…" Her breath shuddered as her voice cracked, "I was so very, very wrong to direct that fear and anger toward you. I will never be able to forgive myself for striking you that night or for what I said." Margaret reached and took his hand. "No parent should ever do that to her child." She looked into her son's face, seeing only understanding and forgiveness in his eyes. "I just wanted you to know I was wrong and I love you dearly. I always have and I always will."

Donnie leaned over, pulling his mother into a tight hug. "Mom, I forgave you that night. We were all messed up those few days, but we're getting better. I love you too mom." Margaret smiled at her son, seeing only love in his eyes. She kissed his cheek, gently touching his face with her hand. He smiled at his mother, the smile that always warmed her heart when she saw it on his face. He placed his hand over hers. They sat like that for several minutes, until they heard the front door open and Charlie yelling for his brother, no doubt wanting to reveal some amazing math tidbit he had discovered while at the store.

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Charlie was able to return to school, finishing out his last month-and-a-half before graduation. As it quickly approached, both boys became anguished about what lay ahead for them. Donnie had accepted a baseball scholarship at a local university. Charlie, with his parents urging, had accepted a full-ride scholarship to Princeton.

Graduation went smoothly, both boys crossing the stage together, beaming in the pictures Alan took of them afterward. The following weekend a large celebration was happening at the Eppes household, with dozens of family and friends in attendance.

As the party wore on Donnie noticed he didn't see his brother floating around the room and went in search for him. After several minutes of searching, surprisingly, Donnie found Charlie in the last place he ever expected; the garage. Donnie usually could only get Charlie out there for a game of air hockey. Yet that's were he found him, sitting on their father's workbench.

"Hey Buddy, you okay?" Donnie walked over and leaned up against the hockey table.

Charlie looked at his brother. "Just needed some space. Too many people in the house."

Donnie was nodding his head in agreement. "Know what you mean. Aunt Irene still can't believe I haven't been locked up for something with all the time I spent in trouble in school." Donnie laughed as he said that, and Charlie chuckled. As Donnie looked closer at Charlie, he noticed his brother had a cross between a worried and a fearful expression on his face. "What's wrong?" Donnie walked over, hoping up onto the workbench next to his brother.

"I'm a little scared." Charlie looked shyly toward Donnie.

"About what?"

"Us," Charlie whispered.

"What about us?" Donnie placed a reassuring hand on his brother's back.

"Well," Charlie cleared his throat. "You're gonna be here and I'm gonna be in New Jersey. We've gotten so close the last few months. I'm just afraid we'll loose that. It's been nice." Charlie smiled sadly.

"Yeah it has been nice," Donnie smiled back. "But look, just because we're that far apart, doesn't mean we can't stay close. After all, you are a genius, surely you know how to use a telephone, right?" Donnie gave his brother a playful shove.

"I guess you're right." Charlie mumbled.

"WHAT! What was that?" Donnie mocked surprise, "Did I just hear you say I was right?"

Charlie grinned big at his brother, "Yeah, okay. But I'll never say it again." Charlie laughed.

"Oh come on Chuck, one more time. I'll probably never hear it again." Donnie moved his hands as if to tickle Charlie. The younger brother quickly jumped from the bench and rounded to the other side of the air hockey table.

"Never!" Charlie laughed, "I'll never repeat it and STOP CALLING ME CHUCK!"

Charlie tore out the door as Donnie jumped down from the bench and gave chase. Finally he caught Charlie near the koi pond, tickling him until he said it again. Alan and Margaret watched from the kitchen window, arms wrapped around one another. They had a house full of family and friends behind them as they watched their two boys outside, wrestling in the backyard in front of them; and they would be thankful, everyday, for moments like these.

a/n: This may seem like the end, but we've got one more to go.

Thank you all for sticking it out with me, your wonderful.