Highs and Lows Of Life

Your Never Too Old

Rain lighting tap on clear glass window the wind picks up. Gently pressing on the house naturally making it creak and groan. The adolescent teen was tossing and turning. His emotional part of his brain wouldn't stop worrying about his little brother. He clenched his fist around the used covers the feeling of his hand against his innocent little brothers back as a flash of images of people who been starved kept flashing in his mind.

"Hey, Joe you ok," Kevin spoke from his side of the room." I can hear you moving around."He slowly turned on his lap on the nightstand. Slowly sitting up. He could see his little brother curled up under the covers his eye blinking conscientiously trying to get used to the sudden brightness of the lamp.

I am just thinking about Nick tonight."He spoke in whispered tone making sure they didn't make to much noise it was nearing one in the morning. Their parents had gone to bed an hour go Nick had naturally gone to be early.

Kevin nodded thoughtfully " I would be undoubtedly lying if I didn't think about him. But mom and dad don't seem worried."Lays down on his back looking up at the ceiling.

"They haven't been on tour with us they don't know how bad it got." Joes voices came out harsh. Gently rubbing his tired sunken eyes. " I mean dad came near the end but nevertheless I don't think they're taking this seriously." Sitting up in bed looking over at his brother.

"Joe, you do know you also have a tendency to be a little bit of a hypochondriac. When it traditionally comes to sickness. Kevin tried to reason with the teen about Nick's behaviour and symptoms.

"The young teen couldn't argue with that comment But he didn't feel Nick back. A shiver instantly ran down his spine. He was brought out of his dreadful thoughts by the distinctive sound of the toilet being flushed and faucet started to run.

"That is 7th time to the bathroom tonight and it only 1 in the morning." Kevin sighed gently turning his head to the bedroom door Nick's feet gently patted across the hall back to Frankie and his room.

"That can't be normal," Joe earnestly argued his hand running through his dishevelled hair in grave anxiety. Pulling back the cover to get out of bed.

"Joe." Instantly giving his concerned brother a determined look " Maybe try merely talking to mom and dad tomorrow not now. No one really going to process any of this right now." watching his brother sit back down in frustration." You need to try and get some rest."Thought slowly crossed his mind" Would you like to sleep with me tonight it might help ease your mind."

"Wasn't he too big to run to his big brother for something like that? But the more that he considered it the more he wanted comfort.

"Hey bro you coming in." Throwing the pillow at his brother breaking him out of his mental monologue.

"Don't make this weird bro when I was your age still ran to mom when I was having a bad night." Sincerely trying to get his brother comfortable to the novel idea. He didn't want to push, but he knew his brother responded better to physical contact.

"I'm not that much younger then you bro Joe jokes back grabbing the plump pillow Kev had allegedly thrown. Before he could talk himself out of it he instantly ran into his brother's arms.

Kevin smiled covering them both," I promise everything will work out in the end."But his words didn't seem to help the situation." Did something happen between you and him I don't know about?"Facing his brother trying to get feel what going out.

"Nothing happened if your thinking of argument. I came into his room tonight, and he got up from the floor. I just watch his face go pale."He slowly cleared his throat as he could feel he was about cry. He felt a hand rub his back calming him little. " I instantly drop everything and was able to steady him." Slowly looking at his beloved brother. " I legitimately thought he was going to pass out Kev he scarid me so badly."

"I wish you would have called me or mom and dad." He instantly felt his voice raises. That, not something we should conceal." Making himself very clear.

"I was able to get him to the bed, and he said was fine. Looking at his hand, "He seemed ok I thought he had maybe just stood up too quick."He heard Kevin hum in understanding" But when put my hand on his back oh god his back his ribs I felt every single vertebra under his shirt." Finally, he couldn't hold it in anymore as he instantly felt his breath hiccup in his chest.

Kevin carefully pulled his brother into his arms. Rocking gently rubbing the teens back. He didn't realize how bad Joe's anxiety had gotten when it came to all of this.

"Hey, Joe look at me." He gently pulled the boy out of his embrace, so they could see each other, "I promise we will talk to mom and dad about this tomorrow."He grabs some tissues from the nightstand giving them to Joe smiling softly.

"Thanks." He blew his nose wiping his tears. He felt Kevin promptly pull him down on the double bed blanket enveloping them he snuggled into him. He just needs a feeling of safety someone to ground his mind.

"You feel little better Kevin spoke softly into his brother's ear he got a small shake of the head yes

"Night bro," Joe spoke softly into the pillow.

"Night bro" Kevin echoes back slowly curled around his brother hold him tight letting him know he was there for him.

The unmistakable sound of the prevailing wind and gentle rain slowly lulled them to sleep.