 | ||
|
By Elia (a reader of FBOFW and poet) An excerpt from Elia's E-mail: "...Well, I began thinking about how things would be when Nick finally confronts Brian about this whole ordeal and this whole scenario came to me... I was in my anatomy class writing it down instead of taking notes for my exam!!" "I'm Still Nick" There was a knock on the front door and Leighanne got up from her spot on the couch. A suspicious Brian turned to see who in their right mind would disturb them at this hour: 10:10pm. Leighanne opened the door to see a teary-eyed but determined Nick on their front steps. He was dressed all in black, 'Maybe to match the mood' thought Leigh as she signaled for him to enter. When Brian saw who the culprit was, he got up and walked towards the chimney, away from Nick and stood there, giving his back to the person he once called, 'the little brother I never had.' Leighanne kindly smiled at Nick before giving her husband a pleading look. Not receiving a response, she walked out, leaving the two men to be engulfed in their sorrow. 'Will you please turn around?' asked Nick who had now stepped onto the center of the livingroom. 'It's hard enough being here, let alone not seeing your face....' Brian didn't budge, instead, he just squared off his shoulders, giving off an air of indifference. Clad in khakis and a navy blue dress shirt, he looked powerful and strong, inside he was simply shattered. 'Fine, let it be,' continued the youngest of the two. 'I came here today in hopes that you'd hear me out...that you'd let the words sink in and focus on them once I left.' Brian was still facing the chimney but his focus had now gone to the framed picture of him and Nick. One they had taken not so long ago, while filming their latest video. 'What happened wasn't something planned to ruin your life or even your beliefs. It happened so gradually that even I couldn't see it happening. The mere of thought of it disgusted me, like it does you, but I began to realize....' Brian's head cocked a little to his left when he heard the word 'disgusted' and was anxiously awaiting Nick's next words. Nick noticed this and took a deep breath, trying to find the courage within him to go on. '*sigh* I realized that true love doesn't come with age, race or gender specifications. Nor does it have boundaries. I though out of all people, you would know this.' To this Brian put the frame face down. Remembering how Kevin had stood by him in all his times of need, he found new strength within him and proceeded. 'I told you before this wasn't a one-time fling and I mean it. In him I've found what I've been searching for since I've had use of reason....*chuckle* Yeah, I can imagine what you're thinking, that I've never had any...I beg to differ. 'Based on your religion, you've judged me since the day we met while all I've done is loved you like a brother.' Brian slowly turned around and looked Nick straight in the eyes. Knowing his former friend wasn't done with his speech, he just stood there, fists in his pockets, still frame, pained look on his face. 'Yeah, a 'band of brothers' like we always claimed to be. But where has that brotherhood gone?' he asked raising an eyebrow. 'Where are you when I most need you?' he asked this time cocking his head in Brian's direction. 'Not in this room I see. I look in your direction and all I see is a pair of cold blue eyes, a heart of steel and a mind ready to attack with daggers instead of words. That's what I see' He took another breath and continued on, 'What do you see? Let me guess, a fag, a queer, a homo. Am I right?' Brian looked down, fresh tears threatening to sting his eyes. 'I thought so. Well, that's not the case. I'm still the same person you met that day in April. I'm still the same kid who beat you at Mario-Kart' he said signaling to the N64 on Brian's coffee table. 'I'm still the same guy who covered for you those countless times. I've just got a little company now. I've just found love, but I'm still Nick. I'm still the guy you once called Frack....' Tears running down his face, he gathered his last bit of strength to finish. 'I'd like to think I can still call you Frick...I'd like to think I can still call you friend...I'd just like to think I can still call you b-br-brother.' With that he turned around and walked out the door to his car. A few seconds later, Brian let out a small anguished cry before running to catch up with his friend. But he was too late for Nick had already rounded the corner in his Mercedes.
|
| |