Louis, That Jazz Guy.

Chapter Three

Religion TW

"Deep breaths Mari, deep breaths..." Garrett said, hugging his brother as he sobbed into his shoulder. Garrett felt awful for the poor guy, knowing how much he looked up to Adam. He gently rubbed his back, just wanting him to feel better. Chandler had already run off after Adam, so it was just the two of them.

"Why- why did he do that?!" Marius cried, in between his sobs. Garrett didn't have an answer to that, which made him feel even worse. He tried his best to think of something, before finally saying:

"I... I don't know, Mari. He was obviously upset... but I never expected him to do somethin' like that to you. Adam's always liked ya..."

Marius just huffed and got up. He turned around and began walking back to the house.

"'M goin' home." That was all he said, as he silently continued walking and crying. Garrett felt awful now, not knowing if he should follow Marius or join Chandler with Adam. He didn't want to choose between his brothers. He just sighed and put his head down. He was just lucky no one was at this damn Church. It seemed to be abandoned. It looked very run down, and like a tap at the wrong spot could make it fall to pieces.

After a short while, Garrett got up and went inside the Church. The doors were very large, as he walked inside. It was almost completely empty inside, apart from pews and a desk. In all honesty, it was very boring. Why the hell would Chandler want to bring them here? There had to be a reason.

"Hello?" He called. He wasn't expecting an answer, of course, and he didn't get one either. "I should've expected that..." he muttered.

He walked through the Church, and to the desk at the front. There was a single drawer, which of course Garrett opened. There were a few papers in there, just a few people's records, just the basic stuff. Nothing too major.

Wait.

"Louis... Baton." He said, reading out the man's name. He had everything in common with...

Oh my God.

His birthday was the day she died. From the records about him, there was a good chance he could be found in...

"Harlem, New York." He said, out loud. There was a fair chance this was his dead sibling. He had to tell everyone about this right away.

-

Marius was still walking home, very slowly. He sighed, hating doing this all alone. He hoped Chandler and Adam were okay. Those two always seemed to have some disagreement going on... religion this, Christianity that... Marius didn't care enough to understand. All he wanted was to hang out with his brothers and enjoy himself. It was getting very difficult... as getting out of bed became harder by the day. But Marius knew he just had to keep going. The war passed, and this would too.

Marius finally reached the house, deciding he would just go inside, not wanting to swim by himself. He changed into his regular clothing and began to get bored. There wasn't a lot to do when he was alone. He began to practice his harmonica, but even that got boring after a while. He sighed, walking around the house a little, peeking into all of the rooms.

When he peeked into Adam's, he saw something a little peculiar. His journal was laying on his bed, fully visible for the world to see. Everyone knew Adam kept a journal, but he always kept it well hidden, especially from his brothers. Marius walked inside and picked it up. He sat on the side of his brother's bed and opened it up to a random page.

I don't know what the hell happened today. I was out drinking with my male friend, and he was coming onto me, I think.

I don't know why, but it felt right. Like it was meant to happen. But it ain't meant to happen, cause men ain't supposed to like other men.

That's when he invited me to his house. I agreed, stupidly, and we went to his place.

He kissed me.

"What?" Marius said to himself, exasperated. He'd never expect that his brother would... nevermind. Maybe he could explain it later. He continued reading.

I don't know, I felt like...

It was the most wonderful thing. It felt good. Great, in fact. I kissed back, I shouldn't have. I felt so amazing at the moment, I almost forgot that I'm heterosexual! I like women, only women. I don't know why this kiss felt amazing. When we were finished, I was so freaked out I ran home.

I can't talk to him again.

His name was William. He was so nice... not just to me, but to everyone.

I think I'm in love with him. But I'm not! I don't like men that way. I'm heterosexual! My brothers are heterosexual, and I am too! I like women so much. William is just a weak man, going after other men. I don't want that. I don't want that. It's a sin, even if I ain't religious anymore.

My brothers aren't gonna be happy if they find out about this. They'll be mad, what if they kick me out? They'll hate me. I can already hear it, "Adam Montgomery is disowned for being a homosexual!" and I'll be alone. I don't wanna be alone.

The entry stopped there. Marius didn't have the heart to read anymore. He put the journal back on Adam's bed, for when he finally got home.

Adam seemed to be in denial about his feelings. Marius didn't care if he was into men, but it mattered to Adam a lot. He always heard about how much he loved women, but with this... Marius just felt bad for his brother. He couldn't even be honest with himself.

-

Chandler was running through the woods, searching for Adam. He didn't know where to look, and he couldn't find him anywhere around. He was getting tired, the more he ran. What if something happened to his little brother? He couldn't forgive himself if that happened, not again-

"Adam!" He cried, his voice echoing throughout the forest. He was quiet for a moment, listening to hear anything back. He swore he heard... someone crying. But that couldn't be him... Adam never cried. Never. Not even when... she died. Not in public, at least. Adam wasn't emotional.

But Chandler couldn't help but feel bad for whoever was crying, and it wasn't fair for him to just ignore them. He began to walk off towards the sound, and it began getting louder as he got closer. Finally, when hyena crying was very loud, someone said:

"Chand... go away."

It shocked him a little, as his head shot back to see Adam, sitting on a rock with tears running down his face.

"Adam?"

"Yeah, course it's Adam, jackass." He said, with a sniff.

"What's wrong?" Chandler asked, sitting next to him.

"None of your goddamn business." Adam huffed, turning away.

"It is my business. You blew up back there! Punched Mari in the face and everythin'..." he said.

"I shouldn't have done that. He don't deserve it. Y'all... y'all shouldn't have to put up with me." Adam said, putting his head down and sighing.

"Adam. We love 'puttin' up' with you." Chandler said gently.

"No, ya don't. I blew up cause I was angry and..."

"Grevin'?"

"... yeah."

"Adam, we're all still greavin'. I know my religious junk gets on y'all's nerves. But... It helps me cope. Puttin' faith in God helped a bit. And Marius cries a lot about it still... Garrett has his own way of copin'." He said, leaving it to linger for a moment. "Ya should find somethin' to help ya, too." He said, before getting up. Adam was shocked that Chandler of all people could have something so meaningful to say.

"... thanks Chandler. That helped a bit."

"What are big brothers for? See ya at the house, then?"

"See ya at the house," Adam replied, laying down on the grass. It was nice and warm, and he began to calm back down. He could think later, all he wanted to do now was take a long nap.