15 minute challenge: "used"
Author's note: The first 4 paragraphs were taken directly from the Numb3rs episode "Money for Nothing." I am not benefiting in any way by stealing the wonderfully creative work of the Numb3rs team.
"I just always feel like I'm taking advantage of him, you know, like I'm using him or something."
Charlie looked from Don to Dr. Bradford, shaking his head slightly, his expression pleading, begging the doctor to ask him his opinion of what Don had just said.
"Charlie?" Dr. Bradford said softly.
Charlie thought for a moment, gazing at Don's back. "I love," he hesitated as Don turned to look at him. "I love working with my brother." He glanced at Bradford, then watched Don, waiting to see what his reaction would be.
Don's expression softened, and he smiled, sitting next to Charlie, "You were actually walking home..."
Something had broken the day Charlie accompanied Don to Dr. Bradford's office. The brothers had faced the conflict that had been a wedge between them for over twenty years. And Dr. Bradford had led them seamlessly from the past into the present when he asked Don, "How do you feel about working with Charlie now?"
Don had paced, not looking at Charlie, who sat on the couch, watching him. "I just always feel like I'm taking advantage of him, you know, like I'm using him or something."
Charlie didn't know whether to laugh or cry. The last word he would have used to describe how he felt about working with Don was "used." He blinked at the moisture that suddenly welled up in his eyes, looked from Don to Dr. Bradford, shaking his head slightly, his expression pleading, begging the doctor to ask him what he felt about it.
Bradford turned to him, "Charlie?" he said softly.
Charlie thought for a moment, gazing at Don's back. He knew this was a big moment, possibly the biggest moment in their relationship. He didn't want to blow it now. He wanted Bradford to understand, but he really needed Don to understand. He couldn't sound like the needy little brother who spent his life desperately trying to win his big brother's approval. But he needed Don to know that there was no way he ever felt used. Ever. "I love..." he hesitated as Don whirled to face him. "I love working with my brother."
At that moment, the tension had broken, Don's expression softened, and he smiled, sitting next to Charlie, "You were actually walking home..."
From that moment on, their relationship would be different. Stronger. Better. And Charlie hoped that once and for all, Don would understand. Charlie never felt used. He felt wanted.