Page 4 of The Prodigal Son

“It’s good,” I say, but my voice won’t come out, so it’s just a strangled, raspy sound, which only makes my dad laugh more.

“That’s enough,” my mom scolds. “Isaac, go into the kitchen and drink some water.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I reply as I climb off the couch. As I walk to the kitchen, my head feels light and fuzzy, and I blink a lot as I reach the room where my brothers are still cracking up and teasing each other.

“The hell happened to you?” Caleb asks.

My eyes are still watering as I shove my shoulders back proudly. “Just sharing some whiskey with Dad.”

“Whiskey?” Luke snaps. He looks angry, which makes me feel bad. Luke hates everything Dad does. But he doesn’t understand. I can still make Dad proud. It’s too late for him. They fight too much, and Luke says stuff just to make Dad mad.

But I saw the way Dad smiled at me tonight. I saw how proud he was. I can still be a good son, like Adam.

I glance up at him to gauge his reaction. As Adam fills a glass of water, I catch a glimpse of concern on his face.

When he hands it to me, he bends over so his face is level with mine. Then he places a hand on my shoulder and stares into my eyes.

“You don’t have to do that to make Dad proud, you know?”

“I know,” I say with a shrug. Taking a sip, I try to act nonchalant, like the whiskey didn’t burn and my brother should have nothing to worry about.

Adam chuckles and ruffles my hair. “You’re a good kid, Isaac. Stay that way.”

My head still feels heavy as I give my brother a smirk.

“We won’t always be around to take care of you.” I glance over at where Luke is resting his elbows on the kitchen island. He picks up a piece of popcorn and tosses it at me. With a laugh, I pick it up and toss it back at him. My laugh turns into a giggle and suddenly, I can’t seem to stop. Maybe it was that nasty drink Dad gave me, or maybe it’s just because I have all my brothers together. Or maybe because acting like a real country star tonight made me feel so good.

“Sure you will,” I reply, looking up at each of them. “We’ll always be together.”

“Of course, buddy,” Adam says as he shakes my shoulder. It doesn’t sound true and it makes my laughter stop.

“You’ll always have my back. You said.” I don’t like the sound of my voice. It shakes a little like I’m about to cry.

“How much of that whiskey did he drink?” Caleb asks with humor on his face.

Luke looks guilty, and Adam is trying to smile, but it’s a lie.

“Drink this,” Adam says flatly as he forces me to take the glass of water and tip it back.

The good feeling starts to fade, and it makes me sad. The lights of the kitchen are bright, and I focus on the black-and-white towel hanging from the handle of the oven. It has a cow on it because Mom loves cows.

As I stare at it, trying to shrink away from my brothers’ attention, I’m relieved when they eventually go back to talking to each other and not to me. Sipping my water, I realize for the first time that my brothers lie, especially to me.

Soon Luke and Caleb will be done with school and move away. Adam won’t come around as much. It’ll be like I don’t have brothers anymore.

And if I don’t have my brothers…then I have to be tough and take care of myself.

Part One

The Star

One

Isaac

“What’shisname?” Lola asks as soon as I open the door of her car. I slide into the passenger seat, sweating inside this dark-black hoodie that’s about two sizes too big.

As I clip my seat belt in place, I make a contemplative expression. “Brady…no, Brody?”

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