Never Too Late

Chapter Fifty One

"How are things going between you and Luke?" Ericka asked as she leaned against the hood of Johan's car.

"He won't even look at me," Johan confessed. The tension between them at home was thick and Luke avoided him like the plague. Whenever they bumped into each other, he would scowl at him, so trying to make amends with Luke seemed impossible.

"So it's still the same as before," Ericka noted sadly and Johan nodded, defeated.

"I understand though, I wouldn't talk to me either. I don't think he'll ever forgive me." Johan sighed.

Everything that happened was because of his mistakes and he was the one at fault, not his brother. He deeply mourned the loss of their relationship and felt he deserved to suffer.

Maybe that was why Liz left him.

"Hey, look at me, I'm just as much at fault as you," Ericka said, leaning away from the car and standing in front him. "No one can predict the future and if you want to keep blaming yourself at least know I chose you. The only thing you did was fall for me, the decision was mine on who to date."

Johan was shocked hearing her speak so boldly. Smiling, he took her hands and traced his fingers against her palms. "I could never blame you." Pulling her close, he held her and felt the ache in his chest soothe. Whatever happened, had already happened, looking forward and working towards the future was all that was left.

Today was the day they'd be leaving for college together and they were waiting outside his house for his parents. Ericka had already bid farewell to her parents, who were unable to come because her mother was still sick and her father was taking care of her. Johan was giving her a ride to the airport. Out came Rachel first who teared up when she saw her brother wearing travel clothes and his suitcase leaning against his car. They hugged silently and emotionally but they both understood each other's sorrow.

"I'm glad you stayed for high school," Rachel said as she wiped her tears.

"I'm glad too," he said smiling warmly.

"Remember to call me, okay?" She said before taking one of her bracelets off her wrist and slipping it into his hand. "Take this to remember me by."

"As if I'd forget you in a couple of months," Johan laughed.

Turning she went back into the house and disappeared from view before the door opened again and Johan held his breath for a second until he saw it was his parents.

"Do you have everything ready?" His father asked and he nodded before opening his trunk and putting his suitcase in.

"Yeah, I'm all set." He said solemnly.

"Good, that's good," Johan could hear the struggle in his voice. It was still hard for him to be emotional and he was trying his best to appear stoic.

"Dad?" Johan said before pausing. "Thanks for everything."

"Yeah, of course. You're my son after all," He said, forcing himself not to wipe tears forming in the corner of his eyes.

Looking over at his mother who had been standing silently by all this time, she was uncharacteristically quiet, as if searching for words that had not been created yet to describe her feelings. He smiled and hugged her tightly, before a sob escaped her like a gasp and she wept silently against his shoulder. After a minute she finally collected herself and stood straight.

"Now listen to me, you're not going to college to play around alright? I want you to study really well and pass all your classes okay?" She said shaking her finger at him in a playful, semi-serious manner.