Lights Out Boys

Chapter Forty Three: Times like this I Lament his Death

Times Like This I Lament His Death

Blake

I caught sight of crutches across the room, rested against the chair. When I turned back to Griffon Bronx, he offered his hand to help me up. I scoffed and straightened my posture. My eyes locked on momma who stared at me with a look I couldn't explain. Before I spoke up, the door burst open and Axel jumped into the room with wide eyes. His bed hair pushed to one side as he clutched a pillow in one hand. First, he looked at our mother then at Griffon and finally at me. When he realized I was here, he turned back to Griffon.

"You thought something was happening, so you brought your pillow?"

"Well...yeah," Axel mumbled then opened his arms. "Thankfully there isn't anything happening, and you're finally home, lil bro!"

I stiffened against my brothers' touch. He embraced me a bit too hard with the pillow squished between us. My eyes locked on my mother because I refused to look at the man—my high school teacher that stood half naked in her room.

"There is something happening, and I didn't know about it."

"I didn't have time to tell you," Momma spoke up but kept the covers over her shoulders. Oh no she was probably barer than Griffon Bronx. "I was planning to when you got here."

"No time?" I clenched my fists and pushed Axel away from me. "We spoke twice a week over the phone! Most of the time you called! Hadn't it gone through your head 'oh wait, maybe I should tell him now' instead of me finding out like this?"

"Blake, hun...calm down," Momma whispered. I finally tore my gaze away from her to look at the unwanted person who stood in our house. He hadn't said anything. Those nutty brown eyes looked at me as if to taunt me on how bad I was in his class.

"And with him! Of all people!" I exclaimed, and that's when I felt Axel's palm rest on my shoulder. My head whipped to him where I saw the sympathetic look. That loving look he gave me when I was in need. An instant memory appeared, and I was taken back to the cottage. Before I passed out and Axel was there. He gave me the same look and told me not to worry.

"Blake Monroe Gunner, listen to your big brother and get out!" Momma yelled. I hadn't even realized that Axel said something. We slowly began to walk out with Momma's sharp glare on us.

"What about him?" I asked and pointed to Griffon Bronx who made himself comfortable on the bed.

"Him...has a name, and I'm asking you to get out," Momma stated in a neutral tone. Axel tugged on me once more before I said anything else. We walked down the hall and as I looked over my shoulder, Momma's door shut. 

I let out a huff and followed Axel into the kitchen. He turned on the kettle and offered me something to drink which I found weird since this was our house. Either way, I sat down by the counter and accepted that my older brother made me tea.

"Did you know?" I asked once the strong whistles of the kettle pulsed throughout the house. Axel had his back to me, and thankfully he wore a wife beater and pajama pants. He was in the middle of getting mugs from the top cabinet but froze.

"Yes, I did." He replied. I let out a scowl and turn to the doorway, but none of them seemed to approach us. The hallway was dark which showed no sign of life ever occurring.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I demanded and leaned forward even though he couldn't see me. Axel's shoulders slouched as he let out an exasperated sigh. He didn't say anything at first. I watched him pick up the kettle and fill four mugs with hot water. He only made two cups of tea though. Once Axel finished, he turned around and placed my mug in front of me.