TWO WEEKS - Episode 27 (Fangs-turned-Faith)

Downstairs, Chris watched his brother as he raised their radio volume.
They stood inside the large living room of their house and Wayne stretched his hand with the remote, toward the Music System, controlling the tempo.
“The song is good.” Chris commented.
Wayne turned to him. “Yeah. We thank God for that.”
“We? You and?”
“The team. We have a band in college. Together, we made up this song.”
Chris was amazed. “Wow. I can’t wait to hear your part.”
“Oh. You’ll be amazed to know that, you are hearing it.”
Chris furrowed his eyebrows in queer.
Wayne only grinned at him.
Chris laughed when he realized it. “Oh bro. How could I have missed it? Wow. The beat right?”
Wayne nodded, smiling.
“You’re good. Seriously bro.”
Wayne thanked him. “You hear the lady singing the chorus?”
“Yeah. She’s cool.”
“Her name is Vicky. She’s the one who composed the song. I’ve never met a person so God-fearing like Vicky before. She is the true example of how a person should live toward God. She knows the Word of God, she is so kind and humble. God has made her that way.”
“And gave her a talent as well. A New Yorker?”
Wayne shook his head. “On the contrary, she is an African young lady coming from East Africa. A place called, Dar.”
“Oh. From Africa. Amazing.”
“So special.” Wayne said, remembering her.
“Dar, Dar. Is it in Kenya?”
“No, no. I don’t think so. The state starts with T.”
“Oh. Tanzania.”
Wayne nodded. “Have you ever heard of that place?”
“I’ve been to Arusha. It’s in the Northern part of Tanzania." He shared at length and added, "we were with the embassy for a conference in ICC. Dar must be the short form of Dar es Salaam.”
Wayne smiled. “Yeah. She told me that.”
Chris turned back to the radio. “And the boys are great.”
“That’s Kyle. He used to be a bad guy. God changed us all.”
“I want him to change me.”
“He will make everything work for your favor Chris.”
He smiled hopefully. “Amen.”
“So, will you please help me make something?”
“I’m open.” Chris replied with out-stretched arms.
“Yeah. It’s pasta but, no ordinary pasta. Vicky pasta. She makes the best pasta, ever. I only tasted her pasta once. I hope, I would be able to make anything close to it with our ingredients here.”
Chris rubbed his chin, following his brother, who was already exiting the room, to the kitchen.  “So, she also cooks, ha?”
“Yeah.” Wayne replied, comfortably.
They entered the kitchen and Wayne walked to the cupboard. “Now, do we have any spices, here...?” He wondered aloud.
Chris leaned on the threshold of the wide kitchen of maroon floor and white tiled walls. “Tell me more about this Vicky.”
“Well… She cooks, she loves God. She is a giver as well. She is very kind and could advise you in anything.” He said, opening the cupboards and turned back to Chris, “She is the one who introduced Jesus to me.”
“She sounds very awesome.”
“Yes.” Wayne agreed immediately. “You should meet her.”
Chris nodded slowly with his lips pouted forward.
Wayne narrowed his eyes at his brother. “Why do you look at me like that?”
Chris drew from the wall, stretching his hands in defense. “Nothing, nothing.”
Wayne shook his head and turned back to the cupboard.
“What happened with Sasha Cruise?” Chris asked, purposely.
“Oh. You remind me to call her today and tell her that I’m home. She’s doing better in Boston General Hospital.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
Wayne shook a tin of spices in his hands. “Full. You haven’t cooked for a while.”
“Check if they haven’t expired.”
Wayne did. “Too old.”
“We have to get fresh spices I guess.”
Wayne turned to him. “Yeah. Can I borrow your car keys?”
“Let’s drive together bro. There’s a lot of catching up we need to do.”
Wayne smiled and followed him out.

                                                                              #

The two left the house and acquired the ingredients in a market downtown. Many of the neighbors who saw the brothers together, were amazed.
They ended up getting more than enough groceries to suffice for a whole month. Carrying the bags in the house, Wayne thought of extending his leave. He looked forward to a lot of great things with his family. He thanked God for the change of his heart and for the renovation of his home.
             
                                                                #

Back in Manhattan, Victoria arrived the record company with the rest of the Faith Band.
She stayed outside the office of the producer with Deborah, waiting as Kyle and the original crew of the band, briefed the producer about the change of songs.
The whole band was fasted that day, to overtake the will of the producer and of the label company.
As Deborah and Vicky hovered anxiously in the waiting hall, the office door opened and the heavily built producer walked out with the Salvation CD. His face was red and wrinkled and Vicky crossed her fingers when he halted in front of her and Deborah.
The boys stood worriedly behind him.
“You are?” He asked Vicky.
“Victoria.” She replied, confidently.
“You insist that, I will love this song?”
She widened her eyes in assurance, nodding. “Yeah. Try it out.”
“Do you realize that, the market demands specific contents despite the beats and voices?”
“They will love it," was her response.
He sighed. “Follow me.” He said and instantly increased pace to a door at the end of the hall.
The band followed him, murmuring about what the producer spoke to the boys in his office.
“Keep praying in your heart guys.” Kyle whispered.

The producer led them to a large recording studio which also had more guys wearing the company shirts.
There was one other guy behind a glass wall, separating himself from his voice instructor, who stood in front of a set of controls.
At his entry, the crew turned to their boss and greeted him.
He signaled to the artist and faced the instructor, waving the CD to him. “Play this.”
“Okay boss.” The man replied and pressed a button at the bottom of the control machine. He inserted the disc when the compartment opened and they all waited as it loaded.
“It’s no rock.” The producer begun, discriminating the song when the beats started,
Vicky’s voice came with the refrain.
The crew stayed quiet, being fond of the voice.

There is salvation in no one else!
Except Jesus Christ who died for us.
For there’s no other name given among men!
By which we might be saved.

The crew smiled at the interjection of the boys’ voices in the first verse and as the song went on, some of them were cheering.
The producer had his eyebrows furrowed in queer. He did not expect the song to be that good.
The artist behind the glass had to abandon his post, in order to hear closely what the others were enjoying.
The rest of the band sighed with relief when at the last verse which Kyle sang, the whole room clapped and cheered.

“Kyle. I didn’t know that you could sing.”  The instructor said as the song ended.
Some of the other crew members pat Kyle’s shoulder.
He smiled modestly, thanking them.
“Who composed the beat?” Was the producer’s first question, before the instructor took out the CD.
“Our friend. Wayne Harts. He’s left New York though.” Kyle replied.
“Aside from minor acoustic corrections, the song can be produced as it is. What do you say boss?” The instructor said.
“It preaches about Jesus but, I’ve seen the reaction it causes in everyone’s heart.” The producer said to Kyle and turned to the crew. “We will produce the song.” He announced.
“YEEY!!” the band shouted, embracing each other with joy.
The crew laughed, being happy on their behalf.
“Thank you Jesus!” Kyle exclaimed.
“Amen thanks God.” Deborah, Vicky and the rest of the band said in turns.
The producer awed their faith. It touched his own heart.
“Okay. Back into the booth, Jeremy. Boys, girls? Please wait outside; we’ll do re-recording and make the corrections but, we will use the original beats.” The instructor told the artist, and directed the Faith Band.
“And one more thing boss,” Kyle said. “We would like a change of name.”
The producer arched his eyebrow in queer. “Yes?”
“We want a change of the name Fangs to Faith.” Kyle said.
His friends nodded.
The producer did not seem pleased by the proposition.
“You’ve changed your faith?” The instructor asked, before the producer said anything.
Kyle turned to him and said, "Yes."
“That will be a lot. Do you plan to always compose Christian music?” the producer asked.
Kyle turned to the others for support and they nodded to him. He faced the producer. “Yes.”
“If they will be as good as this then, alright.” The producer agreed.
The band exclaimed again, thanking God.
“Amen, Amen.” The instructor called aloud. “Faith band!”
The room laughed.
The producer took out the phone from his jeans pocket. “Let me call Counselor Martin. He’ll handle the paperwork.”
“Thank you boss.” Kyle said on behalf of his group.
“It’s fine.” He said simply and exited the room, talking with the lawyer.
The artist returned into his booth and the rest of the band, left the room, waiting for their turn to record.

                                                                              #

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TWO WEEKS - Episode 26 (Healing)

From the upper room of the house, Mrs. Harts could hear the commotion outside.
She followed the events from the moment the kids were making noise and the dogs were barking. Right then, she asked her husband, who was now out, to check who had arrived.
As she lied on her matrimonial bed, helpless and in terrible condition, Mrs. Harts stared emptily at the door of the room, opposite her.
She waited for it to open just one last time.
Three days ago, Dr. Fischer said that, she was surely going to die.
For a time, she saw people whose funerals she had visited, coming to see her. Even now, her mother stood beside her, by the bed, with her palms holding together, wearing her favorite dress.
‘You still have hope?’ Mom was asking.
Mrs. Harts did not look at her. “He is here.”
‘Veronica darling. I know how you feel. I felt the same way before I had to leave you.’
Mrs. Harts shut her eyes lazily, swallowing with difficulty. She reopened them again. “You’re not real.”
‘You honestly don’t think that or do you?’
Mrs. Harts was silent. She was so angry at her condition and the words of her mother aggravated her.
They had no good relationship when mom was still alive and Mrs. Harts believed that, the curse flowed to her own generation. She frowned and snapped. “I do.”
‘You don’t believe that!’ Mom shouted. ‘I waited for you Veronica but, you never walked through that door!’ She cried.
“My son’s back. That changes everything.” Mrs. Harts said loudly.
‘No!’ Mom shouted. ‘You’re coming with me! You’re coming, now!’ She declared.
Immediately, Mrs. Harts gasped, popping out her eyes and feeling her breath being taken out of her.
Suddenly, the room became noisy and her vision became blur.
She struggled, releasing tears of pain, trying to maintain her focus on the door.
She felt her throat being turned within her neck and the pangs of the most painful death, seizing her.
She felt so grievous when she could no longer keep her eyes open.
Amidst the screams and shattering glass sounds, she heard the door burst open and somebody shouting; ‘Jesus!’
At the mention of the name; Mrs. Harts felt a short relief.
“In the name of Jesus!” The voice came again stressfully. “I cast out the spirit of death in this room!”
Mrs. Harts heard the clanging noise subside. Now, the only voices she heard were the echo of shouts and a name repeated; Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.
She swallowed, marveling at the lightening of the pangs on her body and of the grip around her throat.
She heard a pleading and the voice of who made it, was clear in Mrs. Harts’ ears.
“Father please? I beg you to heal my mother in the name of Jesus.” It was Astrophe.
He drew close to Mrs. Harts and she felt it because of the warmth coming close to her head.
Maybe he was standing at her head and praying for her.
“Jesus. You said that; we will lay our hands on the sick and they will recover. Please, heal my mother now and make me realize that, you are God and art powerful.”
He said placed his stretched palm resting over her forehead.
Immediately, Mrs. Harts felt like a shock run through her body. Though, the shock was more powerful than the last one, it was not violent or agonizing.
In an instant, she felt like, throngs that had limited her body released her.
She had no pain and strangely, she felt hungry.
She opened her eyes and saw Astrophe, clearly now, along with her husband and firstborn son, standing behind him.
Astrophe looked amazed and he broke into a cry, thanking God.
Mr. Harts (Wayne's dad) also stared shockingly at his wife, being estranged by the recovery she portrayed.
Chris was baffled. “Mom.” He called.
Astrophe turned from looking at the heavens and down to her mother. He embraced her strongly. Crying he said, “Mom. Mom, I’m so sorry.”
Mrs. Harts was still in shock while her whole family held her. She looked for her mom but, she could not find her.
She broke into a laughter, puzzling everyone in the room.
They boys drew back, wiping their tears.
“Mom. Are you alright?” Chris was asking.
Mrs. Harts easily sat up, to everybody’s amazement. “I’m healed!" She reckoned aloud. “I’m healed. I don’t feel any pain!" She shouted.
Astrophe smiled.
Mr. Harts laughed and embraced her wife as she rose from the bed.
“Oh honey.” He cried and kissed her.
Chris hugged Wayne, crying with him.
“Oh. Thank you, thank you.” Mrs. Harts said gratefully, holding with her husband.
They parted and turned to the boys.
“Astrophe my son.” She called him and threw her hands around him.
“I’m sorry mom, I did everything wrong to you,” he cried.
Mrs. Harts drew back and kissed her son’s forehead. “Forget about that.” She relieved him. “I thought that, I’d never see you again.”
Wayne cried.
Mom drew back. “Thank you.”
“It’s Jesus mom. We should all thank Jesus for your healing.”
Dad drew closer. “Jesus. He could do that?”
Wayne turned to him. “Yes dad. He healed mom. Just like he promised me.”
“Jesus.” Christopher repeated. “That’s amazing.”
“I want to know more about him.” Mom said nodding.
“He is the savior of our lives. He is a healer. He is a Dad. He is the creator of heaven and earth.” Wayne declared.
“I don’t understand.” Chris confessed. “I’ve heard of Jesus but, I never believed that he existed or he could do such miracles.”
Wayne nodded to him. “He does that and more.” He turned to his father. “Can we all be acquainted with this God?”
Dad nodded along with mom.
“Okay. Please, I want you to repeat after me.”
“Okay.” Mom replied instantly.
“Our Father.”
“Our Father.” The family chorused with their eyes closed.
“Thank you because you love us. So, much.”
“Thank you because you love us. So, much.” They repeated emotionally.
“Thank you for the demonstration of mom’s healing.”
“Thank you for the demonstration of mom’s healing.”
“Thank you for the demonstration of my healing.” Mom said.
“In the name of Jesus.” Wayne went on, joyfully.
“In the name of Jesus.” They repeated.
“I receive Jesus Christ as the Savior of my life.”
“I receive Jesus Christ as the Savior of my life.”
“And I ask that you would forgive all my sins.”
“And I ask that you would forgive all my sins.”
“In the name of Jesus Christ.”
“In the name of Jesus Christ.”
“Amen.”
“Amen.”
They all opened their eyes and smiled at each other.
“It’s a great day in heaven.” Wayne said with a smile on his face.
“We should have a celebration of our own.” Dad suggested, having his arm around his wife.
The boys laughed happily.
“Yes dad.” Wayne replied. “But, since we are so thankful to God and well, we missed a lot of time being together, let us all get ready and meet downstairs for catching up. I will have a Word ready and we can all share it and glorify God.”
“Yeah. You are right.” Chris agreed. “It’s marvelous what God has just done to our family. You know, I still can’t believe that, mom is healed just like that. We thought that, she was going to die.”
Mom shook her head sympathetically. “I thank you Jesus.”
“God is wonderful and he loves us.” Dad acknowledged.
“We were such a wreck of a family you know.” Chris added
“I thank God for his greatness and mercies.” Wayne said.
“Amen, Amen.” The others replied in turns.
“So, boys? Catch us down stairs while I and your mom prepare for the small re-union chitchat.” Dad said, looking at his wife.
Mom smiled at him.
“Chris, will you help me get, something ready for lunch?”
“Please get to that. I’m starving.” Mom interjected.
The family laughed.
Chris nodded. “Sure bro. Whatchu making?”
“Follow me.” Wayne replied instead.
They left together out of the room and Mr. Harts turned to his wife.

                                                                              #

The couple sat on the bed being full of smiles on their faces.
“I thank God for you darling.” Dad said.
“Thank you dear. It’s marvelous. In a second.” She shook her head with disbelief and looked up to the havens. “He is God.”
“We should begin to go to church and thank him. Mrs. Wendy has always invited us.”
Mrs. Harts nodded in agreement. “Yes. We have to turn toward him completely. We should also have a thanksgiving offering.”
“Yeah. I’ve thought of that, the moment we were thanking Jesus.”
Mrs. Harts smiled. “I thank God for Astrophe.”
“Yes. The boy has changed.”
“Oh, I could never have dreamed of this day. Half of my life, I spent on this bed; I could never watch my sons grow up; I could think of them as monsters.
"The day Astrophe left this house, I was sure that, I would never see him again but, behold; Jesus brought him back.” She said and sighed deeply, releasing tears of gratitude. “I thank this God. I want to serve him forever.”
“He loves us so unconditionally honey. We haven’t given him anything but, he brought our son back and he brought you back. Let us live toward him. In any circumstances, I know that, God loves us and he is very powerful.”
Mom wiped her tears and nodded. “Let’s praise him honey. I don’t want to miss out a thing that involves God. We are going to go to church, we are going to read the Bible and we are going to pray.”
“Amen honey. I am with you in that 100%. Let us see more of Jesus in our lives.” Dad said before the wooden floor of the room begun to vibrate from the music downstairs.
“That is Apphy.” Mom reckoned.
“But now, hear the words of the song.”

There is Salvation in no one else!
Except Jesus Christ who died for us.
For there’s no other name given among men!
By which we might be saved.

“Amen.” Mom said after the refrain sounded. “The song is true and good.”
“It is good that our son nowadays plays gospel music.” Dad said.
“I wouldn’t want to hear any other sound after what God did to me.” Mom added.
Dad nodded.

                                                                              #

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TWO WEEKS - PART III (Forgiveness)

#3

The journey to Ohio was longer than Astrophe expected. Maybe because he was worried and anxious of how he would find his home.
Throughout the flight, he was reading the Bible and murmuring silent prayers for the recovery of his mother. He also got a chance of preaching to a middle-aged man who sat with him on the plane.
The man saw Astrophe reading a Bible and was interested to know why Astrophe had it.
Astrophe told him about Jesus Christ and the miracles he did and even testified to him about his two weeks transformation. The man was very amazed and he agreed to receive Christ and test being a follower of Jesus for two weeks to see if his own life would change.
When the plane landed, Wayne/ Astrophe took the man’s escort because, he was also going to the same town that, Astrophe was heading to. He dropped Astrophe at a stop where he could take one bus to home.
While in the bus, Wayne thought of thanking God for his mothers’ recovery. He recalled that, Faith is the assurance of things hoped for; the conviction of things not seen.
He stepped out of the bus and begun strolling on the pavement way of his familiar neighborhood.
It was 1pm and the sun was high up in the sky. The iron sheets of countless row of houses, reflected the sun’s light and glittered in the valley.
Astrophe came to a store a few blocks from his home and greeted a new man behind the counter.
“What can I get you?” The man asked.
“Just a big bag of candy, tin of coffee and … spaghetti.”
The man raised his eyebrows queering the order and turned to his collection of foodstuff to get Astrophe what he wanted.
Astrophe looked outside the store through the glass entrance and noticed the empty streets once again. “What happened to all the kids?”
“Excuse me?” The store-keeper asked, placing a bag with Astrophe’s things on the counter.
“I’m asking about the kids.”
Shortly a purr sounded on the driveway.
“There they are.” The store-keeper announced.
Astrophe smiled, taking out his wallet. “They must have all grown up.”
“That depends. How long have you been away?”
“Just a few years.”
“Maybe not all of them have grown up then.”
Just then, some kids appeared outside the glass door of the store, in blue coats and dark shorts.
They beamed at Astrophe, struggling to open the door.
Astrophe smiled and walked forward, and let them inside.
“Apphy!” They exclaimed, jumping over him.
Astrophe laughed, carrying two of the six year olds in his hands. “Hey, you? Samantha, Beck. You’re all too heavy now.”
The little girl kissed his side cheek, “Where did you go?”
“My mother said that, you are a judge and you take people to prison.” Beck added quickly, making Astrophe laugh.
He felt another kid pulling his trousers and he bent his head down to glance at a familiar face. “Hey? Twinny?”
The little girl popped her cheeks and exclaimed, “Apphy!”
He turned back to the store-keeper. “Thanks bro. I’ll get going with these bunnies.”
Samantha hit him and giggled.
“Ouch! I’ll bring you down now.” He warned her, aiming at the slowly crowding door.
Beck joined her in the laughter.
“That’s it!” Astrophe said and lowered the kids just outside the store, only to be overwhelmed by more 4, 5 and 6 year olds.
“Apphy!” The children took the liberty to announce his presence throughout the neighborhood.
“Hey, Hey!” Astrophe tried to hush them.
But, the kids crowded him and grabbed his bag.
“What’s in it?” They took turns in asking.
“Be careful with that Willy. Only take the packet of candy.” He said to a young black boy who held his shopping bag.
Wayne managed to stand and now, he could count at least the whole kindergarten around him.
“Apphy!”
He sighed, looking across the street. A door of a two story building opened and a boy came out, holding a leash with his bulldog.
The dog barked vehemently and released itself from his master, running over the fence of the house, as he signaled other dogs in the street and more teenage boys, to jump over Astrophe.
He could not breathe with a bunch of dogs overweighing him and licking his face. The kids laughed without lifting a finger to help him.
Oh Jesus. He was thinking, struggling to free himself from at least one of the beasts.
The first teenage boy called out his dog and calmed the other dogs.
Astrophe rose from the ground, wiping the yack from his face and his clothes.
The children laughed.
He frowned at them, shaking his head.
“Apphy!” The first boy hugged him.
Wayne tottered back a few steps, receiving the warm embrace. “Mark… I missed you too.”
The boy drew back. “What happened to you, man? It’s like, you vanished from the face of the earth.”
“It doesn’t matter now. I’m here, ain’t I?”
“Don’t you ever, ever, go away.” Samantha warned Wayne, on behalf of the kindergartens.
Wayne smiled at her. “How about, I take you with me?”
She blushed.
“Is it true that you take people to jail?” another of the older boys asked, catching Wayne’s attention.
“No. Contrary to that, I try to keep people from going to jail.” He replied and turned to the children. “Shall we be going?”
“You should see your mom.” Another boy spoke from the company.
Wayne gulped. He was scared again. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will act. He recalled and turned to the boy, squinting his eyes to glance at him under the scorching sun. “I’m here for that, how is she?”
“She is dying.” Samantha replied, walking beside Wayne’s legs.
He sighed deeply and remained silent for a while.
“I believe that she is going to be fine.” Mark said.
Wayne turned to him. “Yeah?” He asked, carelessly.
“Because, seeing you again will make her better.” Mark explained.
“We’ve been praying for her in Sunday school.” Samantha said.
“Mrs. Wendy says that, she is going to be fine.” Beck added.
“Sam, have you been praying to Jesus for my mother?” Wayne asked her.
Samantha nodded.
“Thank you. Do you know that Jesus loves children?” Wayne wanted to know. 
“Jesus loves kids.” Willy said on his own.
“So, Jesus is going to heal your mom or, take her to heaven.” Samantha commented.
“I want her to stay a bit longer on earth.” Wayne confessed.
The boys laughed.
“Then, Jesus will keep her here… till she becomes very old.” Samantha said, widening her arms to describe old.
Wayne managed a chuckle. He was still worried.
From there, he could see his house.

The tree climbers had now hid the original maroon color of the walls. Only the white painted window bars, brightened the house.
Wayne recalled that, it was their mom who used to cut the weeds away. She always said that, they brought insects into the house.
He recognized the black salon Mercedes just outside the low white barred fence that surrounded their single story house.
It belonged to Christopher. Keeping it outside meant that, he was about to go out.
Was mom so sick? Was she even at home?
He was then comforted by his father’s pickup truck that was clearly visible in the open garage at the side of the house.
Mom was around alright, otherwise, the car wouldn’t have been there.
Wayne heard the kids talking but, he could not concentrate or reply them. He stared at his house and by chance, caught sight of the glass window.
A curtain beyond it was etched a bit and Wayne felt his heartbeat stop when his gaze met with his father’s.
Dad seemed startled.
Astrophe didn’t know what to feel.
He paused walking and said to his escort, “thank you guys. I’ll,” he sighed. “I’ll take it from here.”
“We’ll just be here.” Samantha said.
“Sam, lets’ take you home.” Mark said, grabbing her.
She cried. “No, no. I wanna see Apphy’s mom.”
“Me too.” Wily said.
“Beck, Wily. Let’s go.” Another of the boys ordered, taking the children’s hands.
Wayne sparsely paid attention to what was happening behind him. He took slow steady steps along the side walk to his home.

He saw the front door opening and there appeared Chris in a white shirt and black trousers.
He held on to the door for a while, staring at Wayne, shockingly.
Soon enough, dad appeared behind him in a blue drafted shirt and khaki shorts.
The two watched Wayne approach the front gate, like they were seeing a ghost.
Probably like him, Wayne thought, his family were amazed to see him.
Their last encounter was a rough one and Wayne shouted that, he would never return.
Chris, who always crushed Wayne’s dreams and his life, took Wayne’s decision as the right one. The three were so caught up in their differences so that, they neglected mom’s groaning and mourning in the upper floor of the house.
Wayne did not know what happened afterward, except his father’s call a month ago.
Now. Standing a few feet from dad and Chris, Wayne, dropped on his knees, releasing tears.
He took in a deep a breath, looking at his father who also wrinkled his face with pain.
“Dad.” Wayne called in agony.
Dad broke into a cry and scurried down the patio to Wayne, falling down to hug him.
“Astrophe. My son.” Dad cried.
Wayne wept with him, holding his father strongly. He did so as though, dad was going to evaporate and the reunion was just a dream.
Chris remained standing at the patio of the house, shaking his wrist nervously. He could not comprehend what was just happening and he did not know how to react.
Physically, Chris was Wayne's double; by height, color and even his face. But, he kept a beard and combed back his brown hair off his forehead unlike Wayne, who maintained a fringe and kept his chin shaven.
Wayne drew back from the embrace to look at his dad and ask him the matter at hand. “Where is mother? She’s alive. She is alive.” He said, convincing himself. “She is still alive.”
Dad smiled at him and nodded. “Yes she is.”
Wayne laughed between tears and got on his feet with his father’s aid.
They turned to Chris and he was eyeing Wayne with confused emotions. Probably, he was still or even more angry at him.
Wayne took in a deep breath, thinking; Jesus, I was told that, you fix relationships. Please fix this one which is very hard for me. Please?
Chris waited as Wayne drew close, looking somberly at him.
Wayne halted at a single step from Chris and Chris thought of drawing back but, hesitated.
Unlike Chris expected, Wayne dropped on his knees again, looking up to him.
Chris popped out his eyes at him in amazement and worry. He was confused.
“Christopher.” Wayne called and sighed deeply. “I am sorry for everything I ever did wrong to you. You’re my brother and I never respected that.” He paused, squeezing his eyes shut and releasing more tears. “There is a reason why, a reason why you’re a prominent attorney. I needed and I still do, to learn from you.” He glanced up at Chris, whose countenance had already melted, with his eyes stinging with tears. “Chris. I am so sorry. I am willing to do anything so that, you can forgive me. Please? I beg you.”
Christopher strangled his hand into a fist with which, he knocked his forehead as he turned away; a thing he did when he was overwhelmed with emotions.
Wayne waited patiently for his response and Chris turned back to him, having released tears. He bent down to Wayne and held him up, sobbing with him.
“It’s okay bro.” He spoke for the first time.
Wayne cried on his brother’s back and dad joined them, patting his sons’ sides.
“I am sorry too bro.” Chris said, within the moment. “I’m sorry.”
“You didn’t do anything. It has always been my fault.” Wayne told him as they drew apart.
Christopher held his brother’s shoulders. “No. bro, tell me that you’ve forgiven me.”
Wayne shook his head in disapproval. “I’m the only one who should be sorry.”
“Bro. Please?” He begged him and sniffed. “Forgive me.”
Wayne took his time and nodded.
“Say it?” Chris asked him.
Wayne took a deep breath and said. “I’ve forgiven you, bro.”
Chris nodded and hugged his brother again for a fair amount of time.

                                                                              #

what happens next? stay tuned to find out

#twoweeksstory