My Brother's Best Friend

Memory Thirteen

The day Drew's parents decided to get a divorce was like any other day for me and the guys, they talked to girls and pretty much ignored me. It was extremely hot that day so after returning from the park where we'd hung all day, the guys decided to stop at Drew's house for a drink of water. As usual, i was the tag along. As soon as we got into Drew's house, we heard it immediately. The screaming, the yelling and something being thrown around. Drew was as oblivious to what was going on as Joseph and I were so he just shrugged and we all came in. "You stupid bastard!" I heard Mrs. Mitchell scream. And then just like that, Mr. Mitchell was rushing down the steps his face filled with rage. He glared at us. "What the hell are you looking at?! Huh?" he said to us. That's when I saw it, the suit case he had with him. Drew saw it too and i could literally see his jaw drop.

"Dad, what's going on?" he asked. His dad shrugged and didn't soften up as he said, "Your mother and I are OVER!" He said it as if they were only a fling and not husband and wife. Drew shook his head and before i knew it, he was hitting his father in the face.

"I will HURT you boy!" his father said trying to get ahold of him. I stood in the way. "You'll hurt me first then..." His dad was obviously drunk. He mumbled about a million curse words on his way out of the door and no one said a word until we heard his car drive off. "You OK man?" Joseph finally asked. Drew ignored him and rushed up the stairs to his mother. I don't know why but i found myself following him. And that's when i saw her in a way i'd never seen a woman before, BROKEN. She was sitting on the floor with purple bruise on her cheek and tears streaming down her face. She rocked back in forth humming and i just stood there in the doorway as Drew bent down and hugged her. At 13, i still didn't understand the concept of it all. I stood there in awe watching her cry, then him cry and then them both crying together. It had to be saddest most beautiful thing i'd ever seen.

Drew looked up at me and wiped his face. "Sky, why are you up here? My mom and I need to be alone. You and Jo should go home..." he says. I leave the room stiffly and me and Joseph take a long silent walk home...