Disgust was in every line on his uncle's face.
“You can't do that to your own child, EG.”
“Of course I can, and he knows what I'll do if he leaves. His little whore will be very unhappy with him when I destroy her town, as will his pathetic brother.”
“She is not my whore,” Brad said softly as he moved to where his father still sat. “And I will make you pay if you speak about her or Ethan that way again.”
“Why can't he be with the woman he loves?”
“Shut up, Eleanor.”
“Don't speak to her like that, you bastard. Have some respect for the woman who has suffered at your side for years!” Brad felt good saying the words.
“Suffered! She's had everything she's ever wanted!”
His father's face was red now.
“Except love and respect. You never gave her those, did you?”
“He's dying.”
His mother's words snapped Brad's teeth together, and he heard Uncle Mitch inhale deeply.
“What?”
“Get out of my house!”
Behind him thedoor opened with so much force, it hit the wall hard.
Brad turned to find Ethan looking like an avenging angel standing in the doorway. Pale avenging angel, he added, looking at the dark circles under his brother’s eyes and white skin.
“What the hell is wrong with you?”
“Flu.” His eyes were focused on EG. “Mother, Uncle Mitch,” Ethan acknowledged them, but it was his father he looked at.
“You are not doing this to him. I won't let you!”
Brad raised a hand as his brother tried to step around him and reach their father.
“Wait, Ethan, Mother was just telling me something, and I think you need to hear it too.”
“You won't say another word, Eleanor!” EG got to his feet in an attempt to intimidate his wife.
“Yes, she will!” Uncle Mitch said, with enough force to silence them all.
“They need to know, EG. They have a right.”
“Know what?” Ethan looked from Brad to his mother.
“Your father is dying, and has a year, possibly less to live.”
The brothers turned from their mother to their father, who had slumped back into his chair.
“Well hell,” Brad whispered.
“Is this true, EG?” Uncle Mitch asked his brother.
EG, nodded, his face pale now, all color leached away.
