as shattered by more darkness and the reminder that neither one of them would ever be coming up the stairs or down them again. That Peggy would never open his room door with words to say about one thing or another and his mother wouldn't call his name. He hated the stairs and hated his room door every time it opened up and it was his aunt and not his lost sister or mother. He shu

y the door patiently for them to come downstairs. She'd been with them all week, making s

to him, like a hard slap to the face; the world is still moving. Nothing stopped and half his family was gone. He gripped the door handle hard, his chest felt tight, a large lump formed in his throat,

unt called, rush

ree hand covered his eyes, staining his palm with tears. How could this have happened?

en it's not? Could he tell him to be strong when he himself is struggling to be so? His beautiful girls, gone forever a

ck his, he had no tears to shed. His legs could no longer lift him up. Slowly he sank down and sat on a s

you have to be strong. You have to be. For Tom. For

of tears... Sawyer had a enough for them both. Perhaps it

aid to his cousin. "Let's sit for a minute." He set Sawyer down

ld hear the excitement in her voice. Today h

into his parents' room, or Peggy's. Nevertheless, he came out and stayed with Tom long enough and talked with him. Being there for his little brother as best he could. Their talking was always small talk. Nothing like what they would have talked about before. Tom couldn't bring himself to speak about his friends or girlfriend and Sawyer didn't want to ask.

elt like they would be and eternity. But he would have to hold out some more and his flight was sch

r going to his room, he went straight to Sawyer's knocked and entered when his brother gave permission and blurted without a thought to anyth

lt grief grip his heart when he heard his brother's words

? "I- I called her voice

ways say

the growl

ways did

lways does and Peggy just glared and growled." The stinging

? "You were being yourselves." He stood up, pushing u

d have b

e don't blame yourself. You did

t. Still no tears for his lost family. Looking f

't your fault. Peggy always knew you wouldn't come with her. This in no way your fault." Back to his question, could he t