More Than my Twin

Chapter 2

*Garrett POV*
I wake up early the next morning and go to work. I get there and no one is there. I do what I have to do then I go to Tyler's office and sit in there waiting for him. Eventually at 8 he shows up and jumps scared when he sees me.
"Garrett what are you doing in my office" he asks
"I need help" I say
"Why does everyone come to me" He asks
"Well I'm definitely not going to ask Cody and this has to do about the twins" I say
"What about the twins" he asks very concerned now
"They're both in a big dilemma right now and it sort of has to do with each other but they don't really know that. I want to help them tell each other or let them know that they should tell each other and I was told by one of them not to talk to anyone about the dilemma so I don't know what to do. I think it is the cause of the peppy twins to disappear." I say
"All I can tell ya garre is that I don't think you should be talking about them behind their back and definitely should not get involved if you were told not to by one of them. You know how protective they are of each other. Especially Cory about Coby" he says
"Yeah. I guess you're right. Thanks man. We're working on a trick shot video today right" I ask
"Yeah" He says
I nod and leave his office. On my way I spot the twins chatting and playing pool while Cody was filming it. I decide to go over.
"Why are you filming this" I ask
"Cory and Coby just made a bet with me so I'm recording the evidence" Cody says
"Don't you know not to make a bet with the twins" I ask
"Apparently he doesn't" Cory says
"The twins have not won every bet they've made" Cody says
"Yes they have" Tyler says coming into the room
"Really? Even you lost to them Tyler" Cody asks
(These next few scenarios are made up)
"Yeah. You know when I was away for that weekend in junior year of college and I said I went home for that time" Tyler says
"Yeah" Cody says
"I was in Arizona because I lost a bet to the twins. The loser had to go to Arizona" Tyler says
"my nickname became purple hoser through a lost bet. The loser got their nickname from the winner. They gave me purple hoser cause apparently I wore purple a lot and our bet was with a hose." I say
"What is this bet even anyways" Tyler asks
"They have to finish a game of pool in 10 minutes. Loser has to take the winner to lunch. Wherever they want for lunch" Cody says
"And you agreed to that" I ask
"We're done" Coby says
We look at the pool table and indeed, only the cue ball is left. Cody stops the video and his draw drops.
"That was 7 minutes" he says
"Yeah. We're just great at pool" Cory says
"Those two are no longer allowed to be on a team together" Cody says
"Why not Cody" I ask
"Because it's not fair. They're twins. It's like they're one person" he says
"Oh get over it. You boys ready to do some trick shots" Tyler asks
"Of course. Is in the real life trick shots or ping pong trick shots" Coby asks
"Haven't you read your email yet" Tyler asks
"No" all of us says
"Yes" Chad and Tim say walking in
"No one asked you" Cody says
"Where's panda" Cory asks
"Panda is sick. That's also in the email" Tim says
"I hate reading emails. We have a group chat. Why don't you use it" Coby asks
"I think you twins are the only ones who like that group chat" I say
"I like it" Cody says
"You don't count giraffe" Cory says
"He counts." Coby says
"Come on boys we need to get working if we want to finish in time. We are doing real life trick shots" Chad says
"Sweet." Tyler says
We split up and start working. We eventually stop for lunch. As we stop Coby gets a call.
*Coby POV*
We stop for lunch and as soon as we stop I get a call I look at my phone and see it's my dad. I go outside and motion for Cory to follow.
Cob- Hey dad. I got you on speaker with Cory
D-Hey boys
Cory-What's wrong dad
D-you boys need to come to the hospital. Your mom had a stroke this morning. She's stable for now but they said she might die
Cory-ok
Cob-Yeah. We'll be there
I hang up and collapse into my twins arms.
"Hey. Coby. It's going to be alright. Come on we gotta get our stuff and let the guys know" Cory says
I nod and stand up. My brother wipes away our tears and we go inside.
"You guys okay" Tyler asks
"Our mom has a stroke. They don't think she will live much longer" Cory says
"Man that stinks. We're sorry." Garrett says
"Thanks. Um we're going to grab our stuff then head out. Do you think one of you could drive Coby's car to one of your houses or something? I don't want to just leave it here" Cory says
"Yeah. I'll do it since Tim and I carpooled" chad says
I toss him my keys and Cory goes and grabs our bags. He comes back out and we head to his car. I get in the passenger seat and Cory starts the car then drives off. I wipe my tears away but more come.
"Hey Coby it's going to be alright. Moms strong. Try to get some sleep and I'll wake you when we get there" my twin says
"Ok" I say
I lean my chair back a bit and fall asleep.
*Cory POV*
I look over at Coby a few minutes after I tell him to sleep and he is indeed sound asleep. I smile and turn back to the road. He looks so peaceful when he sleeps. Once I'm a good 2 hours into the trip, my phone rings. I look and see that it's Cody.
Cory- Hey Cody what's up
Cod-Hey I have you on speaker. We're just checking in on you and your brother
Cory-Thanks. We're an hour away from the hospital. I told Coby to sleep and he's been asleep pretty much since we've been in the car.
Ty-Hey Cory. If there's anything we can do. Anything at all let us know.
Cory-Alright. Right now there really isn't anything but prayer
G-and we'll do that. We've been doing that. Now get there safely and keep us updated
Cory-I will. Thanks guys
I hang up and go back to focusing on the road and somewhat thinking about my slightly older twin brother. Eventually I pull into the parking lot at the hospital and turn the car off I lean over and gently shake my brother awake.
"Coby we're here" I whisper
He opens his eyes and rubs them to get the sleep out. He sits his chair up and then unbuckles. I unbuckle as well and we get out of the car. I go over to him and pull him into a hug ignoring the butterflies.
"It's going to be okay. Mom is strong. She will get through it" I say
"Yeah" He says just agreeing with it even though I know he's denying it
I pull away and we walk inside. We go up to the receptionist desk.
"What room is diann Cotton in" I ask
"Room 207. Are you two her sons" she asks
"Yes ma'am" I say
"You two look just like her" she says
I politely thank her then Coby and I walk to the elevators. We take it to the second floor then find the room. We knock and then walk in.
"Hey dad" I say
"Oh boys your here" he says
He comes over and hugs us then we go over to our mom.
"The stroke caused some nerve damage in the brain. It caused her to not really be able to talk anymore. She can hear, see, and comprehend still. And she can write but it's still shake and a bit worse" our dad says
I nod and then look at Coby and he looks like he's going to start crying again. I give him another hug and he starts to cry a bit.
"You want to go take a walk with dad" I whisper
I feel him nod his head into my shoulder.
"Dad this is a bit much for Coby. Do you mind going with him for a little walk either around the hospital or outside" I ask
"Sure. Just call me if anything happens" he says
"I will. Don't worry" I say
Coby and our dad leave the room and I go closer to my moms bed and sit down. I take a hold of her hand and rub my thumb over it so she knows I'm here. She wakes up and slowly looks at me.
"Hey mom. Coby was here. It got too much for him so he left with dad for a bit. He does love you but he's afraid you're going to leave so I constantly remind him that you're strong and you're going to live" I say through some tears
She tries to speak but she can't so she points to a pad of paper and pen. I give it to her and she struggles but then she hands me the pad.
Mom-when are you going to tel him you love him.
"How can you tell" I ask
She takes the pad and writes again.
M-I see it in your eyes it's more than a brother kind of love it's more caring and passionate.
"I don't know mom. I don't want him to hate me" I say
M-He could never hate you. He's your twin. And possibly more.
"I'll do it when you get better" I say
M-that might not happen.
"Mom. Please don't talk like that. God is strong and so are you. You will get over this" I say
M-it's my time to go. Get your brother and father to say their finally goodbyes.
I pull my phone out and call Coby.
D-Hey Cory. What's up? Your brother didn't want to talk
C-you two need to get up here. Mom wrote that it's her time to go
D- o-okay. We'll be there
I hang up and hold my moms hand. I let a few tears shed but as soon as the door opens I wipe them away cause I have to be strong for Coby. My dad and Coby come in and over to her bed. Dad goes to the other side and Coby stands next to me. Coby starts crying instantly so I just pull him into my arms. Our dad starts praying and at the end our mom signs I love you which is a phrase we all learned how to sign when we were younger. We do it back and then the heart monitor stops beeping and Coby leans into me and starts crying even more. Doctors and nurses come in and tell us to say our final goodbyes before they roll her away. We do and then we all walk out so they can do their thing. We leave the hospital and to our vehicles. I help Coby to get in then I walk over to my dad.
"You boys gonna sleep at the hose tonight" he asks
"I think it's going to be too hard for him. I'll either drive all the way back to my place or just to a hotel. Probably a hotel" I say
"Ok. I think I'm going to go with you guys then because I don't think I can stay in the house yet." He says
"Ok. That's fine. Why don't you leave your car here and ride with us." I say
"No. It's fine" he says
I nod and get in my car. I drive out of the parking lot and drive to a hotel. I pull into the parking lot and get out then go to the passenger side and pick Coby up. My dad gets out of his car then goes and grabs al three of our bags. We go inside and to the front desk.
"Do you have a room with two beds available" I ask
"Yes I do" she says
"Alright can we get that room for three days" I ask
"Alright" she says
I grab my card out and play for the room before my dad can and then he gets the room keys. We walk to the room and he opens the door. We walk in and I lay Coby on the bed.
"Dad I'm gonna go call the guys and give them an update. I'll be back. Go ahead and sleep" I say
He nods his head and hands me a room key. I grab my laptop and earbuds and go to the lobby. I pull up Skype and see that The guys are on. I do a group Skype and they all pick up.
G-hey Cory. You okay
Cor-Hey. Our mom died this afternoon
Ty-man. I'm so sorry
Cod-how are you doing
Cor-I'm ok
G-how are you really
Cor-it's hard. My dad hasn't really reacted much. I think he's trying to be strong for me and my brother but I know he's hurting. I haven't really had the chance to react either because I've been trying to be brave for Coby.
Ty-Cory you shouldn't have to keep it in. We'll be over tomorrow then stay till the funeral.
Cor-you guys don't have to do that
Cod-Yeah but we want to. You two are family and family sticks together
Cor- okay. Thanks. I'll see you guys tomorrow.
I end the call and go back to the room. I go in and put my laptop away. I then go over to the bed and get in next to my brother. I lay down and drift off to sleep thinking about the event that just took place.