Half-Brothers
Bryce wasn’t sure what to expect when he arrived at the train tracks in Michigan. He just had a nice meal with his estranged father and his new family. No one addressed the elephant in the room. The twenty-five plus years. His skateboarding half-brother made his feelings clear by not attending and coming here instead.
‘Chas, hey …’
‘You’re the son my Dad didn’t want.’
Chas continued skateboarding.
‘I’m not here to cause trouble or take your Dad away from you.’
‘Why are you here?’
‘Because I need to know where I came from.’
‘California, dude, so go home, yeah?’
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great last line
Thank you Neil.
Nice description of the awkward proprietary reactions of previously insular families, to newly-disclosed family members.
The last line confused me at first, partially, for the lack of commas, but also because i have never heard an American use “mate” in this way. Maybe it’s youthful jargon, that I’m notfamiliar with, but I thought youd want to know that it rang a bit false and un-American. 😊 otherwise great, and please forgive me i’m just out of touch!
Thanks so much. Definitely think you’re right, thanks. I fixed it up. Hope it’s ok now. Cheers. 🙂
Much improved in authenticity!😊
You can’t close a gap of twenty-five years in one day. I hope their relationship can become something that holds happiness for both of them.
Hope so too. Thank you for reading Jilly.
Simple answers come from simple minds, but you can’t tell him that.
Probably best to keep that back indeed! Thank you for reading.
Lots of dynamics going on here. Lots of story in just a few words. Good one.
Thank you.
it doesn’t look good. maybe he can just go back to california to keep the peace.
Think for now at least he probably should! Thank yo for reading Plaridel.
Ouch. These siblings pull no punches.
They certainly don’t! Thank you for reading Magaly.
Brutal last line.
Thank you.
So much animosity even after twenty five years?
I know. Maybe a little more time might heal things. Thank you for reading Abhijit.
Well that was a welcome and a half! Brutal.
Indeed! Thank you for reading Sandra.
Chilly farewell. I hope that even though his half brother was awful Bryce managed to find something worthwhile about the trip.
I hope so too. Thank you for reading.
Dear Lisa,
How sad that after 25 years they couldn’t reconcile. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you Rochelle.
Love the dialogue – it subtly says so much about their feelings in a an oblique way. Nicely done.
Thank you.
Not an easy situation for anyone to deal with, I can understand his cold reception, but hope it will work out in the end.
Thank you for reading.
I fear this is one fence which will never be mended. Nice one
Thank you.
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
GOOD YARN—GREAT PHOTO—I’M A TRAIN TRACK NUT!
I like this story, some things are just meant to stay broken. Nicely done. 🙂
Thank you. 🙂
I love this story, Lisa, because the emotions are mixed and subtle. Chas is antagonistic, yes, but the fact that he’s talking at all to Bryce is a little chink through which friendship and even brotherly love could one day flourish. Kudos!
Thank you so much Penny. 🙂
Short and acerbic.. Love it!
Thank you. 🙂
Gosh family can be difficult.
Thanks for reading. 🙂
Sounds just like a boy who is afraid his dad might leave him like the dad left his half-brother. Nicely done.
Thank you so much. 🙂
Let it go, no one needs the hassle…
Thank you for reading.
There are bridges that will always stay broken…
Thank you for reading.