IT LIVES! Yes, I'm still here plugging away on this story. . . Sorry for the looong time between chapters. I have another story going that was so fresh in my mind, I had to post it. (Check out the Paw Patrol story 'The Greatest Talent. . .'
Here we Go!
Chapter 10
"Alvin," Dave approached his middle son who, at the moment was lying on his bed listening to music. "We need to talk."
The chipmunk looked up and removed his red headphones, "we talk all the time Dave." He voice was stiff.
"I meant we need to talk as father and son, not as manager and client." He sat down on the bed. "It's been a while since we've done that."
"It's also been a long time since we regarded each other as brother and not enemies." Simon spoke form the doorway, "I want that to change." The eldest chipmunk walked across the room and stopped in front of his younger brother. "Alvin. . . I want you to know that I appreciate you calling off the tour. Even though I know you did it for you."
"Yea well, I would have already gone solo if I could still sing," Alvin's amber eyes flared with anger.
Simon sighed, "at least you have accepted that reality." He looked into the amber eyes he knew so well for the first time in months. Finally, he saw something other than arrogance or anger, something that tugged at his heart strings.
Fear.
Alvin Seville, his little brother, was afraid.
At that moment, Simon's voice became soft and his deep blue eyes stung with tears. "I should have seen it sooner. . ." He swallowed hard. "When you realized you couldn't sing anymore, you lost all confidence in yourself. Didn't you?" It was the first time in a long time that he hadn't spoken to Alvin in anger or frustration. "I'm sorry Alvin."
When the brown eyed chipmunk said nothing, Simon continued. "I can't believe I let this go this long. I thought I was trying to save you from what I was sure was going to be an embarrassment." He sniffed as the first tear made its way down his muzzle. "All I was doing was pushing you farther away and making things worse." He sighed again. "You must think I am the worst big brother ever."
"The truth is," he swallowed hard again. "My heart is not really in singing anymore. And even if I could still sing, I would still want to take a break. I have other interests that I want to explore." He wiped his eyes again. "Right now, I need some time away from the stage." Simon hesitated, and then finally sat down of the bed next to his little brother. "I believe we all do. . . Alvin. . . Will you forgive me?" His lips twitched for a second, and then he gave a small smile. "Or is it too late to apologize?"
Simon knew it wasn't the best joke he'd ever come up with, but since it had been over a year since he had even tried to be funny, he hoped that it would make Alvin at least smile. Finally, he looked straight at his little brother, hoping for a smile. Just as he'd hoped, a small smile has come across the younger chipmunks face.
What surprised him even more were the fresh tears that were building in Alvin's brown eyes.
As his smile faded, Alvin sat up straight on his bed so he his tear-filled eyes looked directly into his brothers. "Simon . . . I . . ." Then he stopped, unsure of what to say and where to begin. So, instead of speaking, he wrapped his arms tightly around Simon. A second later, he felt familiar warm arms embrace him, and finally let the tears fall.
For a few long moments, they held each other and let their tears speak for themselves.
"When I couldn't sing anymore, I lost every single shred of confidence I had in myself." Alvin said as he pulled away, letting his hands rest in Simon's. "I was a big star leading one of the biggest groups in history." He smiled at the memory. But as quickly as it came however, the smile faded. "Now I'm just a washed up pop star who can't do anything but sing." The normally tough chipmunk threw his arms around Simon, and buried his tear soaked face into his big brothers chest. Simon just held his little brother tightly, giving him a silent gesture to let Alvin know that he was loved and would be protected.
After a few seconds, Alvin spoke again. "I'm not like you and Theodore," he sniffed. "I haven't found anything else I can do well." He looked up into Simons blue eyes, "You're so smart, you could go into any field of science or history you wanted, and do well. And Theodore," he smiled thinking of his little brother, "he'll probably become a world famous chef or something." Again, the smile faded fast. "Do you think he'll forgive me?"
"I don't know," Simon answered truthfully. "We've been so distant lately, and our arguments must have hurt him a lot."
Alvin took in what his brother said. "How do you think he managed not to close himself off like you and me?"
"Well," Simon thought for a moment. "I think the main reason was he still had people who showed they loved him. He and Cody became best friends right away." Then the blue eyed chipmunk paused and a different hurt took over his face. He swallowed hard, and then said. "He also has Eleanor. . . They have been together for over five years now. That kind of love and support is hard to come by."
"And we screwed up our chance." Alvin gave a wry smile.
Simon let out a bittersweet chuckle, "pretty much." He gave a regretful sigh, "Theodore held on and never let go. He wasn't afraid of true love like we were."
The brown eyed chipmunk shook his head. "Poor guy was caught right in the middle of all this, until you took him out." He looked to Dave, who had been watching them quietly. Then, Alvin looked down to his own paws.
And, claws.
The ones that had dug into his little brothers fur a few months ago.
"Sometimes literally. . ."
The room fell silent for a few moments, until Alvin finally looked back at Dave. "How's Theodore doing?"
His father smiled. "He's almost completely healed; Cody's been taking really good care of him." The smile faded slightly. "Cody's still angry with you, though."
Another wry smile passed the chipmunks lips as he looked down at his bed. "Why am I not surprised." He thought for a few more seconds, and then looked back into his father's eyes. "I want to go see him, Dad." He pleaded, "I need to go see him and apologize."
"We both do." Simon added.
Dave knew what is answer was going to be. But before he could answer, the phone rang. Deciding to play with his sons and keep them hanging, he got up. "I'll get it."
"Dave!" Alvin wined. "No fair."
Still smiling and laughing as he left the room, the father added. "Sorry Alvin, my house, my rules."
Dave answered on the fourth ring. "Hello."
A female voice he knew very well answered, But Mrs. Miller didn't sound right. "Dave," she sniffed. "You and the boys need to get here now. . . There's been an accident."
I am so evil :). . . Well what do you think? Please review!
