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The day started out normally I woke up, went down stairs, made a pot of coffee, got a bowl of cereal, went and got dressed, then started to watch some t.v. It wasn't until around 4:30 when things happened.
There was a knock at the door, so I got up and answered it. Two men wearing black suits stood there, my heart sunk. They handed me an envelope, I knew immediately what it was. I began to cry.
Earlier that year my brothers Mikey and Gerard went off to fight in some lame ass war. I had always had this thought in the back of my head things might not have turned out alright, but I had faith in my brothers. I mean they protect me successfully as a child. But what I didn't know was that America wasn't a child you could stand in front of to protect.
I opened the envelope and saw Mikey's name. I couldn't actually believe what had happened. I just lost one of the two closest things to me ever. I didn't want to believe.
"He was a great man." One of the guys in the suits said.
"Yeah, he was. And an even better brother." I couldn't imagine how Gerard was feeling right now. I wanted to hold him, and him me. I want him to be home l. At least for now. For a couple of weeks then he can go back to fighting I don't care. I just want to have both my brothers in front of me. But I've already lost one.
———————•weeks later•—————— I was dressed up in a black gown, lace from head to toe, trying my hardest not to cry. Riding in the back of a black Cadillac. I never wanted this day to come, the day when I'd be burying my older brother under.
When the car arrived I got out and saw Gerard. I ran to him in tears.
"Oh Skylar!" He grabbed me. "I'm so sorry sweetheart. I wanted to help, Ray tried to stop-"
"Geard just please stop. I'm glad that you're okay."
Once the funeral had begun they asked me to say some words.
"Mikey was... he wasn't you're everyday brother. He went out of his way to make sure you got along. If you two weren't happy with each other he went and found a compromise. He was one of the only two things keeping me going through life.
"One day, when I was 14 I got off the bus. I was greeted by a couple of bullies who had been waiting for me. I had decided that night was gonna be the night to end all. I got home and ran to my room. Mikey was downstairs, and Gerard was at college. Before I could go through with the act Mikey walked in and stopped me. He calmed me down and we talked about everything. If it weren't for Mikey I wouldn't be here. And if it weren't for me, he might be here. I was the one who convinced the boys to go fight and now I'm wishing I could take it all back. All I want is for Mikey to come home. But he's never coming home. So could I? Could I go home tonight without feeling that guilt? Should I? All of his smiles are gonna forever haunt me now, and all the wounds, the emotional wounds, their gonna scar. I want to say there isn't a thing out there Mikey hasn't told me but I know it's not true. He's never coming home. And it's my fault."
I went back to the audience and the funeral continued on. They handed me the flag and Medal of Honor. But I didn't care. All I wanted was Mikey back.
