Chapter Eight
"Aaron? Will you come back to the house?" Brian released Aaron from his grip and stood. Aaron turned towards the water, taking one more look at it. He turned to Brian, not looking him in the eye and buried his face in his chest. "I'm sorry Bri, really. Please don't be mad. I'm sorry. I'm really sorry."
Brian looked up towards the sky, and mouthed the words, 'Thank you Nick,' before turning his attention back to Aaron. "Shhh... Aaron, I'm not mad, I'm relieved. We're still not over your brother's death and I think you following in his footsteps would not have been a good thing."
"I didn't mean to scare you. I had another fight with my mom. Told her I was gonna drop out of school because she was on me about my grades. Then she told me I was a quitter. I never finished anything."
"Is that true? Do you think that's true?"
"I quit singing because it reminded me too much of Nick. I quit basketball and baseball and I don't play Nintendo anymore. I was about to quit school because of my grades. I've been failing everything, pretty much giving up long before now."
"Are you gonna do anything about it Aaron? I'd like to help you if you'd like."
"Yeah, but I want to thank you again." Aaron gave Brian a hug, not wanting to let go. "Bri, you saved my life."
"I wasn't gonna watch you drown. You're my little brother, I'm just watching out for you."
"Can you help me with my school work? I want to try to make my Mom proud of me again."
"A, she's always been proud of you, she's still mourning. Do you want me to come in with you?" Sighing, Aaron shook his head. "I'd like to say yes, Bri, I really would, but I think I need to talk to my mom alone for a while. Can I call you later?"
"Yeah, Aaron, call. Maybe we can shoot some hoops." Brian walked Aaron back to the house and watched as he went in. Walking back to his own car, he sat behind the wheel and let it out. Sitting there for almost an hour, he cried some very overdue tears.
"I almost led my brother to suicide, oh god. How could I live with myself?" Nick finally understood. He knew what could've happened if he had gone through with it. "Lessa, is there anything I can do? Is there anyway I can make him see that I won't do that to myself?"
'Assure him. When he wakes, tell him you love him. When you sleep tonight, allow him to stay with you. When you wake tomorrow, go out with him. The most important thing you do is let him know. You love your brother Nickolas, but he doesn't believe that. He's trying hard to understand you. He wants to be like you when he gets older.'
"Lessa?"
'Yes, Nickolas.'
"Thank you. I don't know how... there are no words I can... thank you Lessa."
'Nickolas, you are welcome. You are in mourning yourself, and in time this will pass because you have the love of your brother and your family to guide you. Goodbye Nickolas.' He stood, holding Aaron tightly in his grasp.
"Bye, Lessa."
'Nickolas, wait. Before you go I have something for you.' He sat back down, with Aaron still sleeping, the tears still running down his face. The wind gusted roughly as the sun set and before him he saw Lessa. "Oh God... Bren? Is that you?" He saw the vision smile and hold her hand over her heart.
'Yes, Nickolas, it's me.'
"But... Lessa? How..."
'My full name Nickolas. Elizabeth Brenda Delaney. My father called me Lessa when I was growing up." Tears filled his eyes once more. "What did I almost do Bren? I love you so much, it's my fault your gone."
'Don't blame yourself. It was the other driver's fault.'
"You're gonna leave me again, aren't you Bren?"
'I have to Nickolas. I just wanted you to see what you could've done. I love you and your family. I did not want to see them hurting like they would've been.'
"Bren, I don't want you to go. Can you please stay with me?"
'I'll always be with you. You know each time you look at yourself, you'll see me. Each time you open your heart, I'm opening with you. You may not see me again, but I'll always be here.' Aaron started to slowly stir in Nick's arm. "Who you talkin' to Nick?"
"Shh..." Nick held him and rocked him. "I'm talking to Bren."
"Bren?" Aaron's eye's shot open. "Where is she? I wanna see her, I wanna say goodbye." Nick faintly saw Bren's image moving away from them. "She's gone again." Aaron wiped his brother's tears.
"Aaron, I'm sorry about the other day. I know I scared you pretty bad, but I want you to know I love you. I wouldn't do anything to hurt you purposely."
"Why were you gonna do it then?" Nick stood, not releasing Aaron from his arms and tried to explain. "I know you don't understand everything I just told you, and I don't expect you too, but will you accept my apology?"
"Yeah, Nick, you know I will. I'm still scared for you though."
"I know. But you know I love you right. Tell me you know that."
"I know Nick. You seem happier than you were yesterday. Did you really talk to Bren."
"Kinda, Airboy. She told me her name was Lessa and..."
"And what?"
"Nothing. You won't understand and it will take too long to explain. She just told me that I have a great little brother, one who stayed up all night watching me sleep to make sure I wouldn't go out and... you know."
"Yeah, I know." Nick set Aaron down and they began walking towards their home. Aaron wrapped an arm around his brother's waist. "Little brother?"
"Yeah, Nick?"
"Do you wanna stay in my room tonight? With me? I'd like the company." Smiling, Nick saw him nod his head. "And how about you and me play some basketball tomorrow?"
"Just you and me? I'd love too Nick." They continued walking back to the house, Nick hearing Aaron constantly yawning. "You tired?" He nodded once more. "Get on my back." He crouched down allowing Aaron to climb on. He heard Aaron's rhythmic breathing and sighed.
Taking a few more steps, the wind picked up speed. Nick smiled, knowing Bren was still around although he could no longer see her or hear her. Whispering to the wind, he said, "Thank you Bren. Thank you for showing me the right way, the love I still have. You'll always be part of my heart." The wind picked up once more, slowly fading this time. He knew he would get no more visits from Bren. He knew how he wanted to live his life and fulfill his final dreams, but most of all he knew he wanted to live.
Chapter 7
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