AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I never thought I’d see the day when my little brother had to take care of me,” Bently said, handing him back the glass.
Mikel placed it on the sink. “We all need help sometimes. There is no shame in it. It doesn’t make you less of a man.”
Bently had always been the strong one, the rock in their lives. He couldn’t remember a time when his brother had asked for help.
“Thanks, but I’m good now.” He stood on shaky legs.
Mikel grabbed his arm to steady him. “I’ve learned a lot since I’ve been gone. You know it takes a real man to admit when he needs help. You’ve been there for me my whole life, even when I abandoned you. Let me help you now.”
Bently grimaced. “I’ll be okay. It’s just … this chemo is kicking my ass. But today was my last day.”
“Really?”
Bently nodded. “Last scan said I’m cancer-free. I’m in remission and today was my last maintenance chemo session.”
Excitement pounded in his chest as Mikel digested the news. Bently had kept the details of his disease mostly to himself, remaining private about the whole thing. “You’re in remission?”
A smile broke out on Bently’s face as his blue eyes grew glassy. “Fucking free and clear.”
“That’s amazing. Truly awesome news.”
Bently nodded. “I need to get to bed.”
Mikel moved out of the small bathroom, giving his brother the room to leave. “Are you going into work tomorrow?”
“Nah, I got someone to cover my shift,” Bently said.
He couldn’t ask his brother for help now. He needed to rest, not worry. If Mikel told him about the note, the stubborn bastard would put on his shirt and drive down to the station right then. He’d probably collapse and end up hospitalized.
Mikel could wait a few days. “Okay, good. You need your rest,” he said.
Bently made his way to his room, using the wall for stability. Mikel gave him some distance, while also making sure his brother got safely into his bed. He brought in a glass of water and set it on Bently’s bedside table.
“Mick?” Bently said quietly.
Mikel turned to face his brother. “Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
“Of course. I’d do anything for you.”
Mikel turned and left the room, heading into his own, stress and worry heavy on his shoulders. His chest constricted. There was so much going on in his life. He needed an escape. His fingers traced the edge of his mattress as he sat down. How many times had he done the same thing before he’d reached for the small bag of pills underneath?
Mikel could almost taste the bitter drug on his tongue. His fix was just a short drive and exchange away—a well-known ritual between him and his old friend. Just one, that little voice said, getting louder as his craving increased. Just one. It would be so easy. No one would have to know.
Old habits died hard, if they died at all.
