Zuflucht

3

Curt~

1 month after the infected spread...

"Curt! Come talk to your brother!" My mother's cheery voice filled the yard up as she was just about screaming for joy. I could help but look up from my pile of chopped wood to see her waving her hands in the air excitedly with one of the home phones in her hand.
Did a part of me feel bad for avoiding my brother? Yes, but another part of me had envy for his opportunities and his attention.
I'm a strong man, a strong man with many opportunities, but there's only so far that a diploma can get me especially in deep Texas. I work hard to earn anything, and that means having nothing in my way to make sure my family gets every cent. Sweat dripped from my hair into my unclothed shoulders before sliding down my abs and onto the field ground.

"Your glistening in sweat!" My mother used to always tell me when I first became old enough to work harder for us. I immediately took action and did what needed to be done no matter how hard. I did it for them.
I did it for him...

Shaking my head of any thoughts, I focused on the task before me and got an extra large piece of wood before chopping it as if it were butter to me.

"Easy, Curt! I just bought that axe a month ago from when you made the handle fly off of it!" My father's voice got closer as I relized he stopped using the tractor like he was prior. Any time my brother calls they always make sure to know as much as possible since he's so far away. Being as smart kid like him I wasn't surprised when he moved across the country to go to a good college. He worked for it and he deserves it, too bad I couldn't get that stupid pain in my chest whenever my father's eyes light up at the mention of him.
He was his golden child, his prizes possession; I am but a hard worker who earns less than what they deserve.
Thinking he was gonna tell me how I could do my job better; he instead walked passed me and made his way to the phone before putting it up to his ear and smiling wide once he heard his voice.

I wanted to talk to him, even told him the day he left that I would keep in touch; but he knew better than to believe me from my words not matching my expression.

Why?

Why did I get so upset over a choice he decided to make?

He earned his free scholarship, he paved his way without needing a cent. I couldn't even make it to a community college knowing dad couldn't keep the place running by himself. I may not look it,but on the inside I am a lot weaker than Will. I have a heart for family and those who mean something to me.

I felt a small, cool hand on my sweaty shoulder that brought instant relief from the burning Texas sun. It didn't take much more than a second to know it was my mother's soft touch.

"Curt..." I tried to avoid her stare but she gently took my face in her hands and moved it into the direction of her matching dark orbs. Although they looked expressionless and dark, they held a lot inside from pain to happiness. My mother's put up with a lot and is the strongest person I know... Why can't I be strong like her?

"I know you're upset, but you should at least talk to him. He misses you y'know." I couldn't help but look away, already knowing that she would talk about that of all things.
I went to open my mouth to speak up but my father jumped in the air for joy and exclaimed loudly over something good Will must have done. His amber eyes were shining like crazy in the sun and my mother couldn't help but chuckle lightly at her husband's antics.

"C'mon, let's take this wood in together then I'll make you a cool drink... a-actually how about I bring you a towel first then you take a shower then the cook drink." I couldn't help but smile and laugh at my mother. There's an understanding that me and her have that my father could never understand. Little did he know that understanding is what I used to want the most from him and Will.