Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction, the people do not exist except in my mind. This work is copy written and I ask that you do not copy, post or electronically download without my express permission
Note: To all that have emailed me I thank you, and to those who regret the loss of Tommy I am sorry, but find that he is one of a few tragedies that Michael goes through. Please bear with me as we journey together.
Lil Bros
Chapter three.
For two weeks he had heard nothing thinking that the people wouldn't do anything. Michael had come home by then and was still not going out or letting anyone over, all he thought of was Tommy and how he last looked. Michael did learn where he had been buried and had gone to visit planting a small rose bush on either side of the head stone. After that he locked himself in his house and stayed there.
It was the start of the third week when Scott came over and knocked. "Michael I know you're in there so open the door."
Opening the door he saw Scott. "What do you want?"
"I want my friend back, the team wants you back."
"Sorry your friend is gone, and the team will have to do without him."
"You can't keep doing this Michael; we're all worried about you."
"Well don't, I am doing fine."
"Great so your just telling everyone to fuck off?"
"That sounds about right."
"Then I guess, I better leave, but one thing you should know."
"What's that?"
"I love you and well I guess that is it."
"Fine you said what you had to, now you can go home."
"What ever, I didn't think you was scared, but I was wrong you're becoming a loser. Take care Michael."
Leaving Michael's house Scott ran the three blocks home, running in he slammed the door to his room and fell on his bed crying, Richie hearing the slam walked over and knocked. "Go away,"
"Scott, it's Richie, can I come in?"
"No I just wanna be alone."
"Then I guess you don't wanna meet Mr. Caruso or the people that work with him?"
"What?"
"Yeah the people from CSI Miami are sitting in the living room with mom."
"It don't matter, it was a waste of time."
"What are you talking about bro, they came to see you?"
As the brothers were talking Mr. Calruso came up and hearing this tapped Richie's shoulder. "Let me try son."
"Go for it, something pissed him off big time."
"I'll try my best."
"Thanks."
Knocking on the door Mr. Calruso opened it. And in the quiet gentle voice he had he called out. "Scott its David Calruso, may I come in and talk to you?"
"I guess."
Closing the door behind him David came over and sat on the edge of the bed. "I want to thank you for your e-mail, when everyone read it we thought it would be a great idea to come visit you and this friend of yours."
"Sir I thank you, but he doesn't care anymore, ever since his brother died he's become a hermit."
"He's your best friend right?"
"Yeah he is."
"Tell me, how did you cope with Tommy's death?"
"We talked about it. I mean my brother and my parents."
"Did your friend have anyone to talk to?"
"No he started drinking and now he just doesn't care."
"Well do you think it would be best if he had some one who could help him?"
"Sure, but he told me he didn't want friends."
"Now I know that some one that cares enough to try and help him by bringing in people he likes, is some one that won't give up."
"Sir, I got no choice, I also told him something that I think ended our friendship."
"If you spoke from the heart and meant what you said then I do not think your friend will turn his back on you."
"What can I do, I tried talking to him."
"Well maybe we could show him that a lot of his friends care, I know we can't give him back his brother, but you and his friends can be his brothers also."
"How do we get Michael to let us back in his life?"
"You leave that to me and my team, but you're going to have to show us where he lives. Can you do that?"
"Sure."
"Okay you do that then, how about you pass the word around that this weekend there is going to be a party, what we can maybe do is get the park and fill that with all his friends. Do you know what band he likes?"
"Yeah; he likes the Jonas Brothers."
"Okay, then lets get your brother and you show us where your friend lives."
"Okay, but can I have a minute with Richie?"
"Sure lets meet in the front room."
"Thanks Mr. Calruso, I didn't think you got my letter."
"That we did, but it takes time to get things set up."
"I hope that my friend knows I did this for him."
"He will; a true friend never gives up son."
"I won't."
"Good."
Ten Minutes later Scott and Richie were walking with the CSI team over to where Michael lived. David was looking at the street and the closeness to the park. "Scott this is perfect, now as I said you let me get things together and you keep trying to help your friend."
"I will sir."
With the rest of the team walking along Mr. Calruso walked up to Michael's door and rang the bell.
"I thought I told you.." Michael said as he yanked the door open, "Oh sorry sir I thought it was some one else."
"That's okay, you thought it was one of your friends?"
"Yeah, what can I do for you?"
"I am David Calruso from CSI Miami."
"Oh god, I really am sorry for yelling at you. Please come in."
"Thank you."
"Can I get you something to drink?"
"A coffee if you have it?"
"Sure come into the kitchen, you take cream and sugar?"
"Two sugar and with a bit of cream please."
Pouring the coffee Michael then got a soda then sat across from his guest. "So, how did you find me?"
"A friend of yours wrote asking for help, that was a month ago, we just finished our last shoot and agreed to come for a visit, it is only a four hour drive."
"So you came to see this friend of mine?"
"Yes I came to see him and you. It was your friend that wanted us to help you."
"Help me how?"
"Well he told me that you haven't been out of this house since the death of your brother."
"I don't wanna leave. Tommy, he was everything to me, I wish it had been me that died that day not him."
"There is nothing that you could have done to stop it."
"Yeah there is, I could have insisted he wait for me before he went to the bathroom."
"There is no way you could have known that anything was going to happen. Son you really can't blame yourself."
"But he's dead, and the guy is still out there."
"The police will get him one day. But you have to let him go, and get out and be with your friends, they do care for you."
"I know, but well I can't face them."
"Yes you can, just take it easy. They all know you hurt."
Four hours after David left the house and went back to Scott's where he met up with the rest of his team. "Sir is Michael gonna be okay?" Scott asked.
"I think so; it will take a while and some one who will be there to talk to him when he needs it."
"Thank you sir."
"It's okay Scott, now remember this weekend."
"I will sir; we will have all his friends there."
"I know son, I know."
For the next week no one was allowed into the park, Michael had started practicing his trumpet again, though he always played music filled with sadness. The team had learned from Scott that Michael didn't care about them anymore, they like Scott didn't believe it. "Guys we all know how Michael felt about Tommy, so what we need to do is get him another little bro." Donny said.
"How do we do that, if Michael won't come out of his house there is no way we can get him together with another boy that needs a big brother." Peter said.
"Leave that to my friends, they will get him to the park this weekend." Scott said
"Okay, now where do we find a little brother?"
"I'll do that." Jerry said. "In fact I know just the boy that would be great."
"Okay bro, you get doing that, and the rest of us will get the others in the neighborhood to the party." Peter said.
Michael was playing the piano early Saturday morning when the doorbell rang. "Who is it?"
"David Calruso."
"Just a second sir."
"Morning Michael, sounds like you were listening to some great music?"
"No sir I was playing it?"
"You were playing, you sound very talented."
"No, Tommy was the talented one, he picked up the piano and trumpets fast. I was gonna teach him the guitar next, but now it won't happen."
"I came to ask you to join me and my team for some fun, I know you haven't been out for a long time, but I think it is time to start again."
"Okay, let me get some shoes and my jacket."
With Michael beside him David led him to the silver Hummer with the CSI logo on the side. "Are we going in that?"
"Yes, unless you don't want to?"
"Oh no, I wanna I mean want to."
"Well hop in and let's go."
"Sweet."
The trip was short but it gave Michael a look at what he was missing. Soon David pulled into the Park entrance and drove up to the play area. Michael could see all his friends including the boys he was a big brother to. Michael was just about to open the door when he saw a small hand pulling on the handle. Gently pushing he helped the little boy open the door. Getting out he saw Jerry and the team standing there. Walking over he stood in front of them. Hi guys."
"Hey Michael, bout time you stopped being a hermit." Allan spoke up.
"Look guys I'm sorry, it's just been shit for me." Michael replied as he looked at the grass between his feet.
"We know, but you didn't have to shut out your friends."
"I know, but that will change. I promise."
"It better, besides we need you back on the team, we ain't doing that well."
"You're not trying all that hard then. Now let's go see what's happening around here."
"Sure, but I'll be right with you, I gotta thank some one." Scott yelled as he ran off.
Michael walked off with the team, Jerry falling back a bit and started walking with the little boy that had opened the door. "Cory, why don't you run up and take Michael's hand and walk with him." Jerry whispered.
"I don't think he likes me." Cory mumbled.
"Give him a chance, besides I bet he needs to feel welcome."
"Okay, I try that."
Michael was busy talking to Richie, when he felt a small hand slip into his. "Hey little guy, are you having fun?" Michael asked.
"Uh huh; but well, could you push me on the swing?"
"I don't know, you think you're big enough to be on them?"
"Uh huh. Please would you?"
"Sure come on lets do that."
"Thanks, my friend said your name is Michael, is that right?"
"Yes I am Michael, so do I get to know your name?"
"I am Cory."
"Well Cory hop on the swing and let's see if you can fly."
David and Scott were watching Michael and Cory at the swings. "Sir I don't know how to thank you, now I guess the rest is up to me."
" Don't feel that you have to do it yourself, you have your family and all your friends."
"I don't think they would understand, but then who knows.
"Your right, come on son let me give you a push on the other swing there."
"Wow kewl, but what about your friends?"
"They will be up here later; I came early so we could get your friend out."
"I don't know what to say."
"Then let say party and fun time."
The team had brought the basketball and were on the court as Michael pushed Cory on the swing, Soon Scott and David were there. "Mr. Calruso, I want you to meet Cory."
"Hello Cory, Are you having fun?"
"Uh huh."
"Well let's try and keep you smiling all day."
"I will this is way better than the home I am in."
"Michael come on we need you to play basketball with us."
"What do you say Cory, you want to watch me kick some team butt?"
Giggling Cory nodded. Then with David and Scott the four went to the court. Taking the ball Michael started bouncing and practicing some shots most of which he sank. Soon there was a fast game going the crowd around the court growing larger. By noon the game had stopped with Michael feeling good again, He was sweating and deep inside he knew that he couldn't get away from his friends. When he sat for lunch it was at a table with Cory the Archer and Parker boys and David.
"Well Michael, how do you feel now?" David asked."
"Fine sir, a bit tired though."
"Well I think you just need to get out more and exercise."
"I know, but,,,"
"Michael you have to get on with life, you have been dealt a few bad hands. So now it is time to make your bets, are you going to bluff or fold?"
"I don't understand."
"Think about it and you will."
Email me if you wish me to continue. Thewriter1@live.ca