The Smell of Lilies

Chapter 21

The next morning Brandon was up bright and early. It was something he had become accustomed to doing with Kel. Before he had never been an early riser, but for some odd reason Kel was, so he went along with it. Even with the two hour time difference, he managed to wake up at six.

He had slept in his old room. It was strange to be back in it. Some part of his brain had blown it off when he left as a teenager, thinking that his parents would turn it into a guest bedroom or office of some sort. But it remained the same all these years. His Chicago Bears posters were still up, a little dry and they had lost their shine, but nonetheless, none had fallen or ripped. His high school trophies were still on his old wooden desk. He rummaged through the contents of the drawers and couldn't help but smile at some of the papers and old clippings he had put there. In his exploration, the younger, less angry Brandon had emerged and spilled over. His old assignments, grades, pictures, and books made him chuckle. He had forgotten how great he rocked the Shawn Hunter hairstyle back in the 90's.

After helping his mom cook breakfast and reunited with his brother Kyle, who had driven in as fast as he could when he heard that Brandon was home, he decided that he wanted to go see Curtis.

"I'll go with you," Kyle said, smiling. All three brothers had the same smile.

"You don't have work to go to?"

"I called off for a couple days after Joseph called last night," he said.

"You didn't have to do that," Brandon said guiltily.

Kyle shrugged. He had the same complexion as Brandon when he did that. "I haven't seen you in forever, man."

"What about Rebecca?" Brandon asked referring to Kyle's wife.

"She wanted to come, but Hayden is too little to travel that far."

Hayden was Brandon's new niece. He learned that she had been born about three months ago, and he truly wanted to see her. But a three month old is difficult to travel with. Kyle lived way the hell out in Pismo.

Joseph stopped just before heading out the door to school with half of a bagel hanging out of his mouth. "Aaaww bu I waga go wid oo."

Kyle laughed. "Don't talk with your mouth full. Go to school."

Joseph rolled his eyes and took the bagel from his mouth. "I hate being the youngest."

The cemetery isn't far from where Brandon's family lives. It was probably the prettiest place the small city had. Wet, green grass rolled for about two miles in every direction with flowers and stone statues dotting the establishment. Tall oak trees shaded the graves from the constant drizzle.

Brandon didn't need directions. He knew just where he was going. Kyle and Brandon spoke along the way about basic things. They caught up on careers, family, and the like. Kyle was a father now, something a younger Brandon would have thought would happen to him first. But life had other ideas. He noted the way Kyle spoke of Hayden. There was so much love and protectiveness in his voice as he described her. She was small, with two beautiful blue eyes like her mother's and dark brown hair like Kyle. They had named her after Rebecca's aunt.

"I hope I can see her soon," Brandon said. "I'm glad you're doing well."

"Thanks," Kyle said, checking his phone. "Here's a picture of her."

Hayden was just as Kyle described. She had on pink footies and a pink bow.

"She's beautiful. Tell Rebecca I said congrats."

"I will," Kyle replied, putting his phone away. "So what's going on with you? Haven't heard from you since you called off the wedding with Heidie."