face, he felt more and more sorry for his brother. The anger began to evaporate, replaced by pure sadness.
King studied his father out the corner of his eye. Brian kept staring Tomas down. It was a dangerous situation. That’s my little brother. My flesh and blood. He used to look up to me. He used to beg me to read to him. He used to take my toys and guilt me into playing with him. I babysat this kid. I fed him. I took care of him when he was sick. And now, we’ve got nothin’…
The judge gave some parting words, and mãe wasted no time seeking an embrace, while Chris shook his attorney’s hand. Dad came over to hug him, too, and Suri’s face shone with happiness and relief. She looked gorgeous, even on such a somber day. When they exited the courtroom, Tomas was cursing, acting belligerent. He was warned by the bailiff to pipe down, but he snatched his arm away from his lawyer and marched up to his mother, hatred in his eyes.
“You’re gonna take King’s side again, huh? He beat the shit outta me, Mom! In your own house! But who do you run to? King! This isn’t right!”
She shook her head, anger in her eyes, too.
“You got off easy, punk!” Brian screamed, marching over with his fists balled tight. “I should finish what my son started, ya piece uh shit!”
“Brian, please!” Mãe shouted. She turned back towards Tomas. “I am not going to argue with you, Tomas.” She stood straighter, chin high as Chris stood beside her, looking just as stern. “Your father and I have been to therapy, and we’ve been enabling you. Especially me. We will not do it any longer. We will not allow you to continue hurting our family with your behavior and lack of accountability.”
“I don’t wanna hear this shit.” Tomas smacked his gums and turned away.
“This kills me,” Mom cried softly, “but I must put my foot down. You are not welcome in our home any more, Tomas, until you complete treatment. We would also like to know where your father’s car is. Please tell us now!”
“Why don’t you ask King, since ya think he’s such a God? Bow down and pray to him, kiss his fuckin’ feet, why don’t ya?”
BAM!
Mãe slapped him so hard, his face turned instantly red. She appeared startled, out of sorts. A police office immediately approached, and she began to cry, speaking in Portuguese, losing control of herself. Chris tried to calm things down. Brian jumped in too, asking the officer to back off. Tomas smirked, shook his head, and started to march away.
“Tomas!” King called out. Suri tugged on his arm. “Baby, it’s all right.” He held up his hand to stop her. Tomas stopped walking and glared at him. He made his way towards his brother, fighting angry tears, sad tears, years of pain. They stood about a foot away from one another, looking into each other’s eyes.
“What? Another fuckin’ speech about how you’re always right, and I’m always wrong? Mr. Perfect! Mr. Famous Artist! Mr. Got It Made! You want to tell me what a fuck up I am, right?!” Tears welled in Tomas’ eyes, too.
King crossed his arms.
“No, Tomas. Just wanted to tell you that… I forgive you for everything you’ve done to me.”
“Yeah, Mr. Martyr? Well, I’m not sorry and I don’t forgive you at all!” Tomas’ voice said one thing, but his eyes, his face, his heart said something else.
“Tomas, I’m sorry that I only protected you most of the time, not all of the time. I tried.” A tear rolled down his cheek. “I’m sorry I can’t erase our mutual guilt. If I could take back some of the things I’ve said to you over the years, I would. I meant them, but they were said to try and hurt you. I love you, and I’ll always be your big brother, protecting you from afar. Even if it’s from yourself.”
He walked away. Tomas yelled, cursed, and stomped about, but King just kept on walking.
Suri took his hand and kissed him while his parents started to make their way down the courthouse steps. No one turned to watch Tomas as he continued to rant. The entire family just kept moving forward. Chris and his mother held hands, while she cried nonstop. Brian was unusually quiet, a cloud of sadness about him now. King’s heart was breaking with each second that passed, but sometimes, things have to break