Reckless

ment towards his absence in general. Initially, the death of his mother summoned naivety concerning his father's desertion. Steadily, however, he fi

s younger brother, King, seemed to be the only one that wasn't holding on to childish hope. King was the only one that seemed to realize that their father wasn't coming bac

emphasized. His voice was suddenly shaky as he attempted to get through the voice message that he needed his father to hear without breaking down. "And as if she needed things to be any worse, you had to top it all off by not even being around when she needs you most. She's coming home to a father-no scratch that, because by ways and actions you're no father to any of us! So, she's coming home to a dad that

say. Resigned, Linkoln realized that there was no getting through to this man-not over voicemail; maybe not even in person if the chance

ave it in me to tell her the truth about your cowardice," He added, shaking his head. "And..." He began to feel the warmth of tears in his eyes. "I hate you...I hate you for putting me in this position," He sniffled, not allowing himself to completely break down over the phon

king a shot of scotch. He leaned forward and out of the chair, his head in

he had. With his father leaving, it would not be fair of him

Linkoln could never place such a burden on his younger brother to handle on his

ake a leave from college or transfer to a community college there at home and at this point, he feared that he wouldn't even have the time for school what

mark before taking it down in one shot, his body starting to fill with a

his lips when it was swiped from his grasp. "I thin

little brother. "You sure know how to kill a buzz," Lin

"And judging by how heavy-handed that pour wa

ckled before rising from his seat. Yes, he was still buzze

s up?" He turned around. "Everything alright?" He asked. King didn't answer right away but judging by the look

sober enough to welcome your

Wh-she's home?" He asked. Of course, he heard his brother the first time-he knew that he had. Only, a part of

King r

is she?" He asked, afraid of how distraught she might be. He didn't think that he could take see

visit to Washington D.C as much as they would've liked. And it wasn't easy getting the whole Black family together because of Linkoln being out of state in college, King's jobs keeping him busy, and their father

all of her family again. He hated that this reunion would lea

bringing Linkoln out of his thoughts. "Just like all of

his breath, taking consideration of the fact that she was just like his moth

h entered the hall, passing a few rooms before turnin

ghtly ran themselves across an old picture taken of the

ce the last he saw her. This brought back to mind how long it had been and fo

"He's gone isn't he?" She asked. That was the unfortunate part. Dallas

till feminine, but Linkoln knew that all of it wa

just ripping the bandaid off quickly. However, when she turned around and he saw her broken countenance, those puffy, slightly red eyes...the withheld pain behind her amber-colored gaze, he couldn't bring

sing smirk on her face. She simpered dryly. "It's alright, irmáo," She finally said, glancing between her two older brothe

olor as much as they were in kindness, understanding, and compassion. It was as if she had already known what responsibility her older brot

an," He said, calling her by the child

e as she recollected what her father would s

Linkoln hated that this kind of memory

ve the strength to. She rushed to Linkoln and jumped into his arms.

plied as he wrapped his arms ar

ortingly as both he and Linkol

rom her older brothers and took a deep breath. "I have to be better than this!

said. "Her n

name," Da

...after Bea,"

e smiled. "Cannot

u meet her no

ove to!"

. He looked curiously at his younger

King told, his brow raised as

inkoln incredu

ael booked some fancy hotel on the

ed her eyes, bemused with her brother's over

e than enough room here?" You of all

st yet...and well, to be honest, tio Gael is still upset with

fraid of dad before,

he is afraid of what he will do to

...a lot more sens

pace," Dallas pointed out. "Maybe he'll

, he wouldn't say this to Dallas, though. He was sure that while it may have been good news for Gael, didn't mea

They're coming over in half an hour.

want to come and see you." He wrapped his arm around Dalla's neck and started with her up the sta

his face as he noticed how happy King was to have Dallas home as well. He then went outsi

n particular. It was manilla and larger than the rest;

y, upon recognizing the handwriting; it was their father's. The knots that had temporarily subsided w

o say that could not even be bothered with a face-to-face conversation. Not even a phone call. His last self-asked question was the most

ents. All things considered, the day had not completely gone to crap with seeing Dallas home again, and he would not dare furth