Chapter 23

The next day

Matt was the first up as usual Dave had passed out on the couch he had left the TV and video game on all night. Matt didn't sleep great because of the stupid TV. He went and shut off the TV and game console, and went into the kitchen to put coffee on,

He hated to wake Bridget and Brian but to get to the bathroom you had to go into Brian's room. The door was slightly ajar he peeked in they were both asleep still,

" Good maybe I can sneak in without waking them." He said to himself

He quietly went in the room then into the bathroom. He thought to himself "I hope Dave doesn't start anything this morning I am too tired to fight with him today, boy do I have Yuk mouth, and I hope Brian doesn't mind me using his mouthwash."

Matt finished up in the bathroom and opened the door Bridget was just getting up he startled her when he opened the door

She motioned SShhh, and whispered "Brian's still sleeping"

Brian groggily said "No I am not I am up, I could hear the stupid video game Dave had on all night."

"Yeah I know" Matt said "I didn't sleep much either. You know I have to love you big brother for me to put up with that. When is he going back with Deena again?"

Brian laughed at Matt. "Your guess is as good as mine; hey can you help me to get up, it's my turn in the bathroom."

They helped him in the bathroom. Then Bridget hopped in the shower. When she was done then Dave hopped in because they both had to be out for work,

Dave snuck out to go back to Deena's to see the kids while Matt and Bridget were helping Brian get washed and dressed.

Dave's Issues

Dave was on his way to pick up his 2 oldest Geneva and Larissa to get them to school so Deena could stay with Carrie

Dave had so many of his own problems but at least he was making progress getting back with Deena. He was home more because his youngest Carrie was sick again it seems the ear surgery for the cochlear implant was infected that was bringing them closer together.

He arrived there and the girls were ready to go, He got them to school and headed to work Now work was a new issue. He had to worry about landing the job that became available recently at KC Gaming. A new position opened up for VP of marketing and development, He had to nail the Berry town project and that would get him the position for sure. He got into the building and ran directly to his boss Natasha Drew.

"Hey how's the presentation coming along? It has to be ready to show the head guys at the parent company on Friday." Natasha told him."

"Ya it will be ready" Dave assured him then he thought to himself "If I could just get Brian alone for a while we could finish the project but that brother of his is always in the way"

Back at Brian's Apartment

Bridget left for work promising to check on Brian later. She told Matt that she got the information that he and Sarah had for requirements for what they were looking for a house and price range so she told Matt, "I will put that on my priority to do list and see what I can come up with for you and Sarah"

She Kissed Brian and headed out the door for work so that just left Matt and Brian. "I am so glad to be home Brian said, "Now I don't think I have any appointments today."

Matt looked at the calendar that was created by his mother to keep track of everything for Brian. "Nope nothing today" Matt told him.

"Hmm what to do today" Brian said. "I can't sit around all day doing nothing, I did enough of that in the hospital, I will go crazy. Hey Matt can you see if Stephanie my downstairs neighbor is home If she is I want to see if we can get a jump on her playing the Molly Marmalade character for the Berry town presentation on Friday."

"Wasn't Dave supposed to handle that?" Matt asked, "Then again you had better check because I bet you he didn't even ask her, let me run downstairs to see if she is home, be right back."

Matt went outside and downstairs and Stephanie was home, sure enough Dave hadn't spoken to her about it yet, She came upstairs with Matt to talk to Brian this project character that Brian had come up with. She was a little more than shocked at Brian's appearance, she had heard from his family that he had been hurt but had no idea what to expect.

She walked in. "Hey Brian glad you are home" So Matt tried to explain what you had in mind. How can I help, He explained the original game concept and how they were looking to expand the audience to older tween/teens and what he envisioned the Molly Marmalade character, He came up with a few sketches himself on what he thought the character should look like. He also placed a few phone calls to some local talent agencies to hire some people to play the characters and come up with some costumes for the characters because he knew Dave didn't do any of it.

Matt just sat there and watched in his brother come up with the whole project on his own, he was amazed. He sure as heck didn't want Dave to take all the credit.

"Hey Brian I see you have a second Laptop can I use it for a few minutes to look something up?"

"Sure go ahead Matt." He looked up the number for Natasha Drew at KC Gaming & wrote it down he wanted to make sure Brian got the credit not Dave Greco He only knew his brother for a short time but already he saw how his friends walked over him and he wasn't going to let that happen this time. "I am going to step outside to make a call while you two work; I won't go far if you need me Bri."

"Ok" Brian said as he and Stephanie continued to work.

Matt stepped on the front porch and dialed Natasha Drew's number the phone picked up "Good morning this is Irene, Natasha Drew's Secretary how can I help you?"

"Yes my name is Dr. Matt Camden I am looking to speak with Natasha Drew please is she available? It's in regards to my brother Brian Davis and the Berry town Project."

"Hold on I will see if she is available." He was on hold for a bit then someone else answered.

"This is Natasha Drew how can I help you Dr. Camden?"

"I am sorry to bother you I know you are a very busy woman, and I normally don't interfere with my brother's life like this but there are some things I think I must make you aware of." he told her

"Yes you're brother is Brian Davis a friend of Dave Greco's right? We just hired him and he is helping Dave with the Berry town project for the presentation for Friday. Dave said he has come up with a very good presentation and Brian has given him some good ideas too"

"Well here is the thing; Matt said "You might want to ask Dave what his ideas are for this project. Ask to see what he has right now and don't let him have any excuses make him show you, Because from what I watched in the hospital when Brian and Dave where working together and today at Brian's apartment the guy is having Brian do all the work and taking all the credit and Brian isn't supposed to be doing a lot of it he just was discharged yesterday Brian is working on the whole presentation at home by himself because except for a few sketches Dave has done zilch." Then Matt apologized. "I am sorry to come off like well a lunatic but I care too much about my brother to let his so called friend use him. Please don't let either of them know I made this call I don't want to upset Brian."

"Thank you very much Dr. Camden, may I call you Matt?"

"Yeah sure" Matt replied

"Well Matt I will make sure I will give credit where credit is due, Oh by the way how is Brian? Do you think he will be up to coming in at least to give the presentation himself on Friday or is that asking too much?"

"Well he is doing better but he still needs help getting around, His balance is getting better, you know he had a serious head injury right?"

"No I wasn't aware of the nature of his injury. Dave never said anything or made it Brian's condition seem too serious. The injury didn't affect his cognitive function or ability to work?" Natasha asked,

"No he is doing remarkably well he needs Physical therapy on his shoulder and has a few follow up appointments with the Neurologist to make sure he is ok but he will be fine eventually. And as far as work goes I have been blown away with what my brother has been able to accomplish in just this short amount of time, and that's with a head injury."

"Well why don't you give me his number." Natasha said, "And I will call him myself to see if he is up to coming in and heading up the presentation to Gotham Gaming our parent company. And if you are worried about his medical condition why don't you join him Friday to monitor his condition. He only needs to come in maybe an hour before and just stay to do the presentation. Then you can take him home if he gets too tired afterwards."

"Well that sounds like a fine idea. My wife and I aren't starting at our new practice for another week or so anyway so I have the time."

Matt gave him Brian's cell and home number she told him she would call Brian sometime this afternoon but she had to go she had a meeting.

"Well it was a pleasure talking with you Matt, and I think after my meeting I may go have fun grilling Dave Greco. Don't worry though I will keep out conversation private I look forward to meeting you and Brian. Ok see you Friday."

Matt hung up the phone. Just then his cell rang. It was his Dad he saw on the caller ID "Hi dad what's up?"

"Nothing much I was just wondering what he two of you were doing?"

"Oh I have been watching Brian's creative genius at work. He is amazing dad he really is I just hate to see this Greco guy use him like this however he isn't going to use him this time?" Matt said with a whole lot of pride in his voice.

"Oh and just what do you mean by that Matt?"

Matt filled him in on what Dave basically dumped in Brian's lap and that he had been taking all the credit for Brian's work he also told him about his conversation with Brian's boss Natasha Drew.

"Dad please don't say anything to Brian about my call to his job."

Eric laughed "Don't worry I won't. Hey do you guys want some company, I am done with the meetings I had today and you mother did put me on the schedule to be with him this afternoon."

"Yeah come on by dad."

"Well see you in a bit then." And then Eric hung up.

Matt walked in the apartment. "Hey how's it coming Bri"

"Oh there you are I wondered where you went who were you talking to?"

"Oh I just hung up with Dad he is on his way over."

"Oh that's great" Brian said

Then Stephanie said "you should see what Brian has come up with."

"See, what do you mean see?" "'Brian shows him."

"Well I made a mockup digitally of the presentation we are doing with live actors Friday."

He showed Matt what he came up with, "Wow that is amazing!" Matt said in astonishment, "you came up with all this while I was on the phone?"

"Yeah it was no sweat, and I got all the called KC Gaming got them to requisition costumes for all the actors to dress up as the Berry town characters and called an agency and got some actors to play the characters, because when I called Dave he hadn't gotten around to doing that part yet."

Matt then said sarcastically "Well why am I not surprised, Dave didn't DO anything yet."

"Oh come on Matt lighten up on the guy he has a lot of personal issues especially with Carrie his one year old she has another ear infection and it's only a little while since the surgery and they are finding out that the cochlear implant may not be working so she may never hear again"

"Oh wow I had no idea, Hey I have this friend well it's someone I dated before I met Sarah her name is Heather, she is deaf maybe you could have Deena call me and I can set her up with Heather."

"That would be great Matt, I know Deena will appreciate it."

"Hey Brian getting back to what we were talking about before" Matt said "Are you planning on going into work Friday for this if you are I will go in with you just to make sure you don't overdo it."

"Yeah that would be great Matt, but don't you think you should spend a little time with Sarah and the boys?"

"Don't worry there will be plenty of time for that Sarah and I are going to go out house hunting with Bridget this week too."

"Well I have to run guys." Stephanie told them "See you later Brian"

As she opened the door to go out Eric was just coming up to the top of the stairs. She looked back and told them. "You have company." Eric walked in.

Matt and Brian both said. "Hi dad," At the same time.

"Hey dad let Brian show you the presentation he came up with. Show him Brian"

"I will show him but it is no big deal Matt really it isn't."

He showed his dad what he came up with. "You did all this stuff this morning? You are amazing son, Then Eric and Matt heard Brian's stomach make noise, they both laughed

, "Then Eric saidhey how about we pack this stuff up and put it away in your room and let's get out of here, maybe go get some Mexican food."

"Sounds like a plan Dad" Brian said,

"I hate to rain on your parade guys." Matt said "But dad should you be eating that stuff and Brian are you up to going out, you can barely walk from one room to the next."

"Your no fun" Eric said" Hey Brian how bout we lock Dr. Matt in the closet and hightail it out of here."

"Ha ha ha very funny dad" Matt said. "You're a real riot"

"Hey I promise to take it easy Matt let's go and with the two of you on either side I won't fall over, Hey let me call Bridget to tell her you are taking me out"

He called her cell, she answered on the second ring "Hi honey what's up"

"I just wanted you to know I was going out for a while with Dad and Matt, I know you had said you were coming to check on me I just wanted you to know I will be out ok sweetheart,"

"Thanks for letting me know Bri, because I was going to be there in a half hour or so, but I will see another client instead. Oh let Matt know I have a few really great places to show him and Sarah. Two in Glen Oak and one in Alta Dena."

"Ok I will, I Love you Bridget."

"I love you too Bri, I will call you later ok. Don't overdo it ok."

"I will be good I promise. And they hung up "hey Matt she found 3 really great houses she wants you to see."

"Oh Cool I will let Sarah know she will be excited" "Ok now let's get out of here" Eric said and they headed out to One of Brian's favorite restaurants down by the beach