A year passed and he started drinking more.
His older son was about 10 and he was taking care of his 7 year old brother, like many times before.
He became like the new mom, but it was hard on them.
The younger brother was reckless and all over the place.
The home wasn't a home anymore, they needed more space.
They needed their moms embrace.
Another year had passed and the 11 year old was taking care of the 8 year old.
They were threatened many times by the school, that social services will be in their lives, that's what they were told.
It was just talk, because nothing ever happened, they went on with their lives the way they always do.
They came to school on an empty stomach and dirty clothes to.
Their dad started bringing home different women every night.
He stunk of booze and cigars, and sometimes there was a fight.
The two boys missed their mom, but she was always gone to.
In and out of the hospital, was nothing new.
One day the older brother had to stay in after school.
The little one told his brother that he will be okay, those were the rules.
A few hours later there was a call from the hospital, saying for someone to come and identify the body, it was the 8 year old
The older brother rushed to the hospital, looked down at the body, it was him, his little brother.
The body was badly damaged that you almost couldn't see who he was.
But he knew from the baseball cap, that's when he made a fuss.
He loved his brother,
But he wasn't the mother.
©terrylin53
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