Jonnathan, My Big Brother; Tough Times

         On the way home, John sat rigid. His mouth was drawn straight and thin, and his eyes were watering. I placed my hand on John's back. "Are you alright?" I asked him. John didn't respond. He kept staring at the road as if he couldn’t hear me. "Jonny?" I asked him again. Jonny didn’t answer until I was about to ask again. "What?" he said. His tone was deep and angry. It was dark, and strange. I’d never heard him talk like that before. "Are you alright?" I asked him. "Fine." he said, jerking away from my hand. I left him alone for the rest of the car ride.

         When we got home, John headed straight for our room. Previously, it had been my room, but Jackie had taken over Jonny's old room, and dad didn't want him sleeping on the good furniture in the den, even though he slept on that couch quite often. So John roomed with me.

         I walked up to the door and peeked inside. John was sitting on the bed. His head was bowed and he was covering his face with his hands. He was trembling, and I could hear his sobs and deep breaths. I kept out of view, because I didn't want John to think anyone was watching him, or to make him feel uncomfortable. I listened for a few minutes. He sounded broken, and weak. He sounded betrayed. Then, the sounds stopped.

         The absence of sound was even worse than the crying. I turned to look into the room and saw John, sitting stiff, with rivers of tears overflowing from his red eyes, and he stared into the air, mumbling. And suddenly, he wasn't this new person, this strong, stable, smiling person anymore. He was my drugged up brother, sitting out in that treehouse 6 years ago, reliving one of the most horrific experiences of his life. And all I could do was watch.

         Right then, tears began to stream down my face. I began to wonder how anyone could do this to my brother. How anyone could crush him, and return him to this weak state. And then, one name came to my mind. "James." My sadness became anger. My blood began to boil, and I swear steam was pouring out of my ears. Many thoughts of retribution and even murder crossed my mind before I saw John relax and dry his face.

         With sobered eyes and a weak smile, Jonny looked up at me and motioned me to sit next to him on the bed.

Chapter 5:comming soon!
Back to the First Chapter" Jonathan, My Big Brother; Anticipation"