So one of the major aspects of Mellicat's story, Dare, is family. We're all born into a family even if we don't know them, or we lose them, in one way or the other. The adults and children and relationships we see and know or wish we had are how we model our own future selves in our minds. And that shapes who we become and the choices we make in our entire life... for good or ill. In Dare, the choices the characters make are based on the men in their lives and the roles they all grew into. In some ways, those roles have been locked in since they were children and the choices they all make are based on the same choices and images of each other they've always held. But are those choices what's best for each of them and what they wants out of life or just in kneejerk reaction to what they think they have to do and be based on their childhood? And can they all come together as adults when something bad happens and learn that what they thought they knew about each other maybe isn't the whole picture?

In this feature, I stuck with one chapter, but I picked two sections that really highlighted the brothers and their roles and their connections to each other and their families as well. 

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“What time is it?” Jamie had asked.

“A little after eight.”

“Have you seen Mom?”

“Yeah, she’s already up and in with Dad. No change,” Robbie added before Jamie could ask the next question. Everyone was hoping Fred’s condition would improve, even if it seemed unlikely.

“You okay?” It was obvious Robbie was still upset.

“Nothing changes in this town. But see, I have. I’m not the same little boy that was scared of his shadow and wanted more than anything to please his older brothers. I don’t give a rat’s ass what Thomas thinks, so just tell him to stay the fuck away from me. I’m here for Mom, that’s it. No one else.”

“Come on, Robbie, shit, the guy just got some really bad news,” Jamie said.

“What? That he isn’t the perfect husband and Lisa isn’t the perfect wife? Welcome to the real world dear brother.”

“Robbie, you know he didn’t mean anything. He’s upset. Dad is dying and he just found out his wife is having an affair. Cut him some slack.”

“My God! Does nothing change here? Are we caught in some time warp? Mom and Dad’s house looks exactly the same. Mom is still in denial about pretty much everything in life. Thomas is still a dick head to me and you still constantly stick up for him.”

“I’m not sticking up for him. He was wrong to talk to you like that, but jeez, Robbie, give him a break.”

“Yeah, you already said that and I said to tell him to stay the fuck away from me.”

Robbie stopped his pacing, locking eyes with Thomas who had appeared in the doorway. Thomas was the first to look away, looking down at the floor. Robbie knew it was probably the closest he would get to an apology, but for once in his life, it wasn’t enough.

“Jamie,” Thomas said, walking in and sitting next his brother. “ I need a favor. Will you go to the airport and pick up Lisa and the kids? Drive them to Mom’s and drop them off there.”

“Um, yeah, but why me?”

Thomas glared back his answer.

“Okay… When?”

 

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“Robbie. How are you?” Koi’s voice was a soothing balm.

“Hanging in there.”

“How’s your dad?”

“Doesn’t look good,” Robbie said.

“Oh, Robbie, I’m sorry. Do you want me to come?”

“No… I mean, yeah, but no, don’t”

“Please? I want to be there for you.”

“Koi….” Robbie warned.

“Okay, okay. I understand. I do,” he paused then lowered his voice. “I miss you.”

Robbie sighed, “I miss you too.”

“You sound so tired. How are things with your brothers?”

“The same as they’ve always been,” Robbie said.

“I wish I could be there for you.”

“You are here for me. In my heart.”

“Aw, you always say the sweetest things. Have you been in to see your father, or are you just hanging out in the waiting room?”

Robbie was silent. How did his lover know him so very well?

“Robbie?”

“I’m not here for him. Besides he’s not conscious, he wouldn’t even know.”

“It’s not about him Robbie, it’s about you.”

“Me? What good would it do me? I’m here for Mom, that’s it.”

“You’ll be sorry if he dies and you don’t see him.”

“Whatever.”

 

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