text: “Sir, while you were in your nine am meeting there was a call for you.” “Who was it?” “The name left was Terry...” “Terry, did you say Terry?” “Uh, yes. They left a message for you, but no return number, here it is” Reads: ‘John, it’s been too long. I’m sorry for all that’s gone on between us. Please get back to me as soon as possible, I’d like to make things right.’ *No return number and I don’t have Terry’s phone number. Hmm.* “Patty, please cancel all my plans today, and hold all my calls. I need to step out to attend to an important situation.” “Yes sir.” An Hour Later: *Is it strange to bring flowers? I mean, in this day and age there is nothing wrong with a man bringing flowers to another man, and we’re family. I’m sure Terry won’t mind, even if he finds it strange. I really don’t know what else to bring him, candy? No he hates candy. Well, he* did *hate candy, but it’s been so long, what if he started loving it.* *Hell, I don’t even know if this is where he still lives. And I’m just going to show up, after 15 years, what if he’s not home. What if he’s home with a family, with a lover? What if he kicks me off his property? Well what the hell would he expect? Leaving me a message like that at work, with no return info. But I can’t wait or waste this time. I’ve been waiting too long to hear from him.* *Is this it? 218 Sparrow Way? I’m fairly certain that’s correct. Once I get closer I’ll remember, this area does look familiar. I remember his place being set a little farther back from the sidewalk, lots of trees surrounding it. If Terry still lives there I know he wouldn’t have touched those trees. Damned hippie type he is.* *218 Sparrow Way, this is it. It looks the same as always. It’s the place I remember. Unclench your jaw, John, this is a good thing. Is it? What if me coming is too much of a surprise? What if this just makes things worse? Oh lord what the hell am I doing? Breathe. Terry reached out to you, and it’s about time you buried the hatchet. You’re here, just pull the trigger.* *Oh lord, Terry, I forgot you had that ridiculous doorbell installed. What tune is that? Where have all the flowers gone? Heh, always the idealist, Terry. No answer, maybe a knock will do it.* **KNOCK** *Still nothing. Well, I don’t even know if this is Terry’s place. If I peak through a window I think the trees will cover me. I don’t need anyone thinking I’m some kinda sick peeping tom.* *This has got to be Terry’s place, I see mom’s old sewing machine and that awful china hutch Aunt Linda gave to him when she passed. There’s a car in the driveway, and a set of bikes beside the house. I guess he could be out for a walk. I guess I could wait, park myself on the stoop for a couple minutes.* *This gives me a chance to prepare what I want to say. What the hell should I say? What pleasantries can you say to your brother that went betrayed you, what...15 fucking years ago? The brother you’ve spent the past 15 years fighting with? Spending all this time spewing insults, to deafening silence? The last thing I told him was that I’d put him in the hospital if he fucked up our family again. That OUT OF NOWHERE he wants to reconcile, make up for all he put us through? Do I tell him how angry I’ve been, I am? Am I angry? Fuck I don’t even know how to feel. Maybe I should just go? I’ve been waiting for ten minutes, he’s probably not here. Then where the hell was he when he left that message? The cars are here and the lights are on, maybe he just didn’t hear me knock and ring. He does like to have his music loud. Maybe I should just go in. I used to be able to do that. It’ll be like the old days.* *That’s pretty lucky for me, the door’s unlocked. Wow, this place hasn’t changed much. Look at that, our last family picture. That was what, Marion’s birthday? Feels like an eternity ago. I should really call Marion, catch up. Well, fuck! I didn’t know Terry has been to Australia, mom never said anything about that. Well, maybe she didn’t know either. I don’t see any kid pictures, Terry the perpetual bachelor. Where the hell is he? Maybe I shouldn’t go any further until I know he’s here.* “Terry, its John. I’m sorry to barge in on you. But I got your message, you didn’t leave a number, so I thought I’d stop by to see you, I brought... uh... flowers!” *Oh damn, I left them on the porch. I’ll grab them later.* *He really mustn’t be here, unless he’s in another room, maybe the kitchen. Table’s got breakfast but no one’s in here. What the hell, Terry?* “TERRY ARE YOU HERE? IT’S JOHN!” *Typical, he’s gone but left his door unlocked. He’s so fucking flaky, nothing ever changed with his guy. Well, whatever I’ll leave my flowers and note. He’ll call me back if he’s serious. Can’t believe I wasted my d... What the hell?* *The back door is... open? Why would he leave the back door open? What the hell is going on here? He calls me, leaves the house, but keeps the doors unlocked and* *open.* “TERRY WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU, IT’S JOHN, SHOW YOURSELF DAMNED IT." *I swear to god, if this is another fucking run around I’ll make good on my words and send him to the fucking hospital or the fucking morgue. He would do this, bring me out of work to waste my time. Typical Terry. No wonder no one wants anything to do with him. I should have called mom, she would have talked me out of this.* “TERRY ARE YOU HERE OR NOT?! IF THIS IS A JOKE TO YOU I’LL BREAK YOU’RE FUCKING NOSE AND KNEES, I SWEAR TO GOD!” *Where the hell is his room? If he’s in there I’ll fucking kick his ass, if he’s not I’m trashing it. I’ve had enough of this. Fuck it’s behind the front room, if he’s here he’ll have heard me, I don’t give a fuck anymore I’ll kick that door in.* *...* *What...* *There’s blood everywhere, it’s leaking from under the door.* “T...Terry... are you in there?” *John, you need to calm down. Breathe. Hyperventilating and freaking out won’t help. What should I do? Okay sit down. You need to act. What’s the right thing? What id Terry is hurt in there? There’s so much blood if he’s in there he’s not okay. What if he’s dead? What... what if he hurt himself or killed himself? Good lord, what if someone else hurt him? The doors are unlocked. Fuck, open the door. You need to open the door and check, you need to call the cops this would be a fucking crime. Jesus fucking Christ, John what the fuck is going on?!* *But, if I open the door, what will I see? If I call the cops what will they ask? The angry estranged brother who basically broke in to find his dead brother? They’d fucking never believe it. If I open the door I leave my prints on it. Fuck that, never mind that, what if I open the door and someone’s on the other side who fucked with Terry and they’ll fuck with me? What, what if it is Terry. Waiting for me. He’s pulled some serious shit in the past but he couldn’t...* *Jesus Christ John do something time is wasting. Do something do something do something DO SOMETHING. My hands are shaking. I don’t know what to d...* **CREAK** *OH DEAR GOD.