A Brother's Bond
He stepped forward into the bright sun. Looking up, he shielded his eyes with his hand. He looked rough. Prison could do that to a person. Daniel Stanley had been young. Eighteen. He didn't feel young anymore. He felt that years had been stripped from him unfairly. Only five passed, but it seemed like more. He was supposed to have spent ten years in there. Luckily, he had gotten out early.
He started toward his parents' neighborhood. The Stanleys were not poor by any means. Daniel had never been in wantunless he counted the first six years of his life. He wasn't truly a Stanley but was adopted. His birth mother had neglected him, and the Stanleys felt it was their Christian duty, maybe even obligation, to take him in. Daniel never really felt as loved as a real son, especially after the birth of Ian. Still, they had always provided for him. Although they never showed much affection, he had grown to love them. Then it all happened.
Almost every day he had written to his family. While he didn't receive a letter or a visit from them, he had kept trying. Now, he could only imagine the most horrible scenarios: a tornado had wiped away his loved ones, a fire had consumed his home, there had been deaths that he did not know of. Surely, they would have contacted him.
Daniel approached the old streets he used to play in with his childhood friend Benjamin. He missed Ben. They had always been friends, but he'd never see him again. He couldn't help but remember. It seemed like an hour ago that it happened, yet it was years ago.
No, Ian, you can't go. You're too young.
But I want to go.
He remembered fishing with Ben at their campsite. It was so cold. Daniel had his new hunting knife. Ben got up to find a flashlight in the tent.
I'll be right back.
What's taking so long, Ben?
It's so dark I can't see.
I'm coming, Ben.
Daniel got up to help Ben. He tripped over a root in the blackness and fell
As Daniel turned the corner of the sidewalk, he could see his parents' house. It was a big beautiful house. Thank God it was still there, yet something didn't seem right. He strolled up the old familiar walkway to the front door and knocked. His greeting wasn't as expected. His mother opened the door with a sour look. "Why are you here?" she asked.
"Mom, aren't you glad to see me?" He was smiling. "I'm out early for good beha-"
"I don't understand howafter what you did," she exclaimed. Daniel was taken aback at her severity. He never thought that his mother would treat him this way.
"Mom, you know I could never do something like that."
"There you go again trying to defend yourself," she said. "Don't call me Mom. You aren't my son. You did a terrible thing to young Benjamin Walker. The Walkers were such good friends of ours. I don't know how you could have killed that child. You must be crazy, and so am I for ever taking you in! I always knew that you would somehow ruin our name."
"Where's Dad?"
"He doesn't want to see you either," she replied, but soon Mr. Stanley was at the door. Daniel cringed inwardly at the expression on his father's face.
"I'm sorry, but you're on your own," he said.
Daniel was now in shock. He had never done anything to lose the trust of his parents. He had always been the model child, now merely blamed for a crime that he hadn't committed. "Fine," he said calmly, holding back his tears and frustration. "I'll go."
Daniel felt emotions of sorrow mixed with hesitation. He didn't really want to lose his family. He loved them. At least he used to be sure he did. But now? Just before he turned away, with the front door in mid-slam, he heard a voice call from inside the house.
"What's going on?" It was Ian. A new and sudden pain shot through Daniel. He couldn't leave his brother.
"Wait!" Daniel grabbed the doorknob. "I have to talk to Ian." He yelled Ian's name. Mrs. Stanley protested to no avail; Daniel was already running up to Ian's room.
Ian was working at his desk. He turned to see who had entered his room in such a hurry. With a joyful expression Ian leapt from his chair. Daniel gave his brother a warm pat on the shoulder. Ian returned it with a hug.
"Good to see ya, man," Ian said softly. Just then Mr. Stanley opened the door and walked to the far end of Ian's room. He turned to address Daniel.
"I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave." He looked determined, yet hesitance was in his eyes. He continued, "You're clearly old enough to take care of yourself, and your mother and I don't want you to associate with Ian anymore. We're not certain that you would be a good influence toward him."
"Dad!" Ian objected.
"Ian," his father warned. "We're very very disappointed and shocked at what you did, Daniel. We don't know what made you act that way, but it certainly wasn't the way you were raised. Maybe it's our fault. Maybe it's the result of your birth mother's irresponsibility. What ever it iswe think it's best if you don't come around this house." The room was silent. Mr. Stanley walked slowly toward the door, as if thinking very deeply. Before anyone could speak he reached into his pocket. "Now your mother and I are pretty upset," he said pulling a few bills from his wallet. He handed them to Daniel, who looked down and fingered the money. Mr. Stanley went on, " I don't want to lose you for good, but I can tell that this wound is going to take a lot of time to heal."
Although his Dad seemed troubled, there was still hope. He smiled as the man left the room, then turned to smile at Ian. Ian half-heartedly returned it. Daniel realized Ian was still distressed about being forbidden to see his brother.
"It'll be alright." Daniel reassured him, yet he had his own doubts. "I'll try to see you again, Ian, so don't worry too much. I think Dad will come around pretty soon. Mom, on the other hand." He ran his fingers through his hair and let out a groan of exasperation. "This is all so unreal!"
"I can't believe our parents are nearly disowning you for one mistake," Ian thought aloud. His voice was wavering.
"The only thing is," Daniel said to Ian's eyes, "that I didn't make a mistake. I didn't do anything." He opened the bedroom door and headed toward the stairwell.
I know you didn't do it," Ian yelled after him.
Ian followed Daniel to the foot of the stairs, where their parents stood with crossed arms. Daniel thought he heard a sob come from Ian. Tears had begun to stream down his face, leaving glossy streaks. Daniel had never known Ian to be this emotional. He wouldn't cry if there weren't more to it. Ian's breath began to quicken as he faced everyone in the room.
"I have something to sayabout that night."
Daniel suddenly felt as if he were spinning on a merry-go-round in a room decorated with disturbing memories.
We really need that flashlight, Ben.
Daniel had heard something small fall to the ground with him.
My knife!
He groped for it with no luck. He'd get the flashlight first. Standing up, he hit his head hard on a low branch. A new memory. Blacking out, he'd heard a voicea child'scrying out.
I found your knife
"Ian!" Daniel grabbed him by the shoulders. "What happened?!"
"I wanted to come!" He was trembling. " I came after mom and dad thought I was asleep. I wanted to help you find your knife. I found it, but I didn't know where you were! Then you were hurt. I called to Benhe ran in my direction but it was so dark."
A small shriek escaped the lips of Mrs. Stanley.
"What happened, Ian?" Daniel said. Ian looked desperately at his parents' faces, obviously searching for some sign that they would love him regardless of what he was about to say.
"He ran right into meinto your knife that was in my hand! I was wearing my gloves, so it must have been only your fingerprints on the knife. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to do it! I didn't mean."
Daniel looked up at his parents. Mr. Stanley wiped his brow with a handkerchief, his wife sitting on the bottom stair weeping. Daniel also near tears. It was upsetting to see Ian like this. He embraced his brother, murmuring, "It's alright. I know you didn't."
Daniel could do without his parents, who had never really been there for him, but he could never desert Ian, confused, troubled, and terrified. What had happened that long ago night was a true tragedy, but nothing, even losing the support of beloved family members, would ever be able to destroy the bond that brothers share.