Shattered but Strong

Chapter 6

The kitchen grew quieter, a stillness settling over the group as Brian’s words hung in the air. Jesse, who had been absorbing every detail, sat with a softened gaze, his eyes never leaving Brian. Dom’s arms were crossed, his expression unreadable yet protective, while Mia’s touch on Brian’s arm was a simple but powerful gesture of support. Even Letty, known for her tough exterior, softened, her expression thoughtful and introspective.

Leon, who had been silent for some time, finally spoke, his voice steady but full of curiosity. “Brian, you mentioned rage disorder earlier. How did you get diagnosed with that?”

Brian paused, his fingers lightly tapping against the table, a subtle sign of the unease brewing within him. He took a slow breath, as though the weight of his past was coming to the surface. “Yeah,” he said quietly, his tone sinking. “That wasn’t something that came out of nowhere. I wish it had.”

The room waited in collective silence, the group leaning in, drawn into the gravity of his story. Brian’s gaze dropped, his voice distant as he began to share.

“It started back in high school,” he murmured. “I had a few guys who liked to push my buttons. Typical bullies. But it wasn’t just the name-calling or shoving. It went beyond that. It escalated.”

Dom’s frown deepened, his hands tense by his sides. “What did they do?” he asked, his voice low and edged with protectiveness.

Brian’s face tightened, the pain of the past flickering in his eyes. “One day, they cornered me after school. It wasn’t just a fight. They wanted to break me—mentally, emotionally. They pushed me until I couldn’t take it anymore.”

Letty’s eyes narrowed, her voice low with anger. “Bastards.”

“Yeah,” Brian muttered, a bitter smile briefly crossing his face. “But something inside me snapped that day. I fought back... harder than I ever thought I could. It’s all a blur now, but when it was over, I was the only one standing. Two of them were hurt pretty bad. I was shaking, barely able to breathe.” He paused, his gaze flickering to the group, as though worried about how they might view him. “I didn’t mean to scare anyone. But when you’re pushed like that... you lose control.”

Mia’s hand on his arm tightened, her voice quiet but full of sympathy. “Oh, Brian...”

“I didn’t know how to stop,” Brian continued, his voice raw. “It’s like... something takes over. And no matter how much you try, you can’t hold it back.” He looked down, his gaze lost. “The school called me in. The cops got involved. They thought I was dangerous.”

Jesse’s expression darkened, anger rising in his tone. “They thought you were the problem, not them?”

Brian let out a hollow laugh. “Yeah, that’s how it goes sometimes.” His voice softened, carrying the weight of those years. “They sent me for evaluations, tried to figure out what was ‘wrong’ with me. The diagnosis came back as intermittent explosive disorder—rage disorder. All that anger built up for so long... when it came out, I couldn’t control it.”

Dom’s fists slowly unclenched, a wave of concern washing over his features. “What happened after that?”

Brian exhaled, his gaze distant. “They put me in therapy. I started taking meds. For months, I had to talk to counselors every week. It was tough, not knowing what I was feeling. But they helped me recognize the signs, taught me how to calm myself down before I snapped. It wasn’t easy... it never is. But I’ve learned to manage it.”

Letty’s voice softened, her eyes more vulnerable than they usually were. “You’ve been carrying this for a long time, haven’t you?”

Brian nodded, the vulnerability in his eyes undeniable. “Yeah. Since I was about sixteen. There’ve been ups and downs, but I’ve never let it get that bad again.”

Dom’s voice was steady and reassuring. “You’re not alone, Brian. We’ve got your back. Whatever you need, you come to us.”

Brian met Dom’s gaze, his expression softening with gratitude. “Thanks, man. That means a lot.”

Vince, who had been unusually quiet, cleared his throat. “That’s a lot to deal with, Brian. But you’re handling it, right?”

Brian nodded, his voice steady. “Yeah. I’ve learned to keep myself grounded. Therapy helped. And so did having people who understood. It’s been a long road, but I’m in a better place now.”

Mia’s hand gently squeezed his arm. “Have you ever felt like you were close to losing control again?”

Brian’s expression grew serious, the weight of the question sinking in. “There’ve been times, yeah. Times when I felt it creeping up. But I’ve learned to recognize the signs. I take a step back, breathe, go for a drive... whatever it takes to clear my head.”

Letty leaned back in her chair, studying him with newfound respect. “You’ve been through a lot, but you’re still standing. That takes strength.”

Brian smiled, a quiet appreciation in his eyes. “Thanks, Letty. But honestly, I wouldn’t have made it without people who cared. That’s the key. I’ve learned to lean on others when I need to.”

Jesse, still in awe, spoke up softly. “I had no idea, man. You always seemed... like you had it all together.”

Brian chuckled, a hint of humility in his voice. “Trust me, Jesse. I’ve had my moments. But that’s the thing—everyone’s dealing with something. It’s just about how you handle it.”

The kitchen fell into a quiet, reflective silence, each person processing what Brian had shared. They all knew it was true—no one was perfect, and everyone had their own battles. But tonight, Brian had shown them that true strength wasn’t in pretending to have it all together—it was in owning what you’d survived and continuing to move forward.

Dom’s voice broke the silence, resolute and filled with unwavering support. “We’re here for you, Brian. Whatever you need, we’ve got your back.”

Brian looked around the room, his gaze meeting each familiar face, each filled with understanding and solidarity. For the first time in a long while, he felt the weight of his past lighten. He wasn’t alone anymore.