Why Not Live?

Chapter One - A Bright Blue Toboggan

Nathan POV

Nathan Blinked groggily as he was awoken from his very deep sleep.  He forced one eye open enough to see the glowing red numbers on the clock which sat on his nightstand.  10:30. He blinked again, trying to force the sleepy haze from his eyes.  He looked back at the clock but the numbers hadn’t changed.  The dull ache behind his temples was brought to his attention as suddenly, the glowing red light of the numbers seemed to sear lasers into his head.  He groaned and wrapped his pillow around his head.  What the hell had woken him up this early?

            The question was answered by the beeping of his cell phone on the dresser, announcing that he had a voicemail.  He grumbled irritably as he pushed himself out of bed and stumbled towards the phone.  Just as he reached it, it started to ring.  Flinching at the sound, he quickly picked it up and pushed the little green talk button.

            “Hullo?” his voice came out thick with sleep.

            “Nathan!” The voice of his older brother William exploded from the phone.

            “Ow! God. What?” Nathan asked, massaging his temples with his free hand.

            “Oh, I’m sorry.  Did I wake you?” Will sounded aggravated.

            “What do you want?” Nathan responded, ignoring the sarcastic question.

            “Clara called, she’s been trying to get you all morning.”

            “Why…?” The answer coming to him as soon as the words left his mouth.

            “You were supposed to watch Ethan—“

            “This morning at nine! Shit!” Nathan cut him off, scrubbing his hand over his face in frustration.

            “Yes.” William said smugly, “Now if only you remembered before Clara missed her doctor’s appointment.”

            “Shit…” Nathan moaned again.

            Will sighed, “Why she continues to depend on you, I will never know.  You let her down more times than not.  I have told her a million times that if it is money she needs to get a real babysitter, I would be glad to help her out, but she is insistent that you are the one she wants to watch Ethan.”

            Nathan exhaled and spoke quickly, “I’m heading over there now.”

            “Nathan!—“ Will was cut off by the click the end button.

                                                                        ~*~*~*~

            The fall air was cold.  Nathan made his way down Little Timber Street, towards his sister’s house.  The words his brother had said over the phone pounded through his already aching head. "You let her down more times than not."  He hadn't meant to.  Usually Nathan didn't mind disappointing people.  He had his whole life.  Out of him and his two siblings, William the rich and wildly successful business man and Clara the perfect housewife, he was the loser.  And that fact was perfectly fine with him.

Except that he couldn't stand disappointing Clara or her son Ethan.  They were the only two people in the world who made him feel like he was actually worth something.

His heart pounded as he turned into the driveway of their two story, white house.  It was a nice house with its blue shutters and white picket fence surrounding the property.  Of course his brother had pitched in on buying the house.  Clara's husband was military and they couldn't afford the house on their own.