Chapter 2: The New

The service continued, at the graveyard, down the street. The coffin was placed below the surface. Stephen stood off to the side. He had been feeling emotions due to his father's passing. However, his mind was focused on an entirely different matter.

Drew had given Stephen his cell phone number, prior to leaving. He told him to feel free to contact him after the final moments of the ceremony. Stephen struggled in holding back on that. He wanted to get answers about his half-brother. He managed to wait it out and gave him a call right away.

"Hey, we just finished the service. Where do you want to meet up?" asked Stephen.

"Hi, going to need to be a little later on tonight. Let's meet at Boston Le Brews."

"Alright, just can't stay out too late. Remember, I'll need to be back for my campus courses tomorrow."

Drew agreed to meet up around sunset hour. Stephen went back to his childhood home. He went through his room and gathered old belongings. His mind had been telling him that he needed to rush to collect what he'd need. He felt that it would be the one and only time to do so.

It became the evening hours. The two brothers got together at one of the city's many local bars. Drew sat beside the bartender, with drink in hand. Stephen entered and sat beside him. The bartender asked him what drink he'd like. Stephen refused to order.

Drew gripped his chin. "Huh, don't want to have a drink with me?"

"No, I'm not a drinker."

"Looks like there's a lot that we don't have in common. Making assumptions on how you're coming off to me anyways."

"Look, bro, that's beside the point. Any ideas on why our father never acknowledged your existence to me?"

Drew turned to the bartender. "Okay, he's going to need your heaviest drink possible."

Stephen shook his head in confusion and slammed his hand down. "Umm no, I need answers Drew."

"No, what I think you need is a drink to help calm yourself down. You've obviously had a negative experience with him. I, on the other hand, really didn't get much involvement from him. Please, why don't you explain the issues you've had with him."

Stephen hesitated at first. He had never vented to anyone about his past with his father before. The bartender handed him a drink. It was a very tall wine glass, but with a super strong alcoholic beverage. Drew pressured him into taking a sip. Stephen did so and unveiled his past to his half-brother.

Drew clenched his fists. "Okay, so he doesn't involve himself in my life at all, and then takes complete control over your life. That is just so uncalled for." He took a moment to take a deep breath and calm himself down a little. "Anyways, so you really haven't had any interest in the degree you've been working towards. Is that right?"

Stephen nodded his head. "Yeah, I really don't."

"Then hey, why don't you come stay with me then? You could start a whole new life with me. And hey, due to my work schedule, you could totally have the place all to yourself. On most nights anyways."

Stephen tilted back a little and his eyes went wide. "Wait, we're brothers and all, but we only just met. You sure about this? Where do you live anyways?"

Drew placed his hand on Stephen's shoulder. "I'm a police officer over in New York City. I work to protect those during the city's most dangerous hours. You've still got a family member to protect and take care of you. Besides, you said you had a crush that stated her desire to hit Broadway one day. You'd be able to see if she has done so, and perhaps see if you could finally get together with this girl.

Stephen was flabbergasted by this opportunity. He has no idea how no other has been able to hold a candle to her. Drew smirked and winked at him. He agreed and they planned their move in together. Drew explained what happened to the rights passed down to them. That he only accepted the amount needed for the funeral service. The house was in both of their names and they agreed to sell it.

Drew led Stephen out of the state and over to New York. He took his police vehicle over for the ceremony. They traveled into the next state down. Stephen didn't mind the slow drive through CT. He did, however, hate the drive as he got into New York. Stephen thought to himself.

“Alright, if I can really just take a subway around then I'm not putting up with this again. I'll just sell the car after this move. Eh, I'll give it a moment. Just in case. Incase this next attempt at a new life, doesn't work out either.”

The two brothers got to the apartment. Drew resided in Brooklyn, New York. He stated that he wished to live at the true heart of the crime area. That he wished to be able to assist that neighborhood at any and all time. The parking within the garage was first come first serve. Drew got a spot right by the elevator, as Stephen had to park about a mile and half away from it.

Drew stood waiting by the elevator. Stephen dragged his belongings over to him. He had them in multiple bags and carried them all across his arms and shoulders. Drew grabbed a couple to assist him. They got into the elevator and up to the apartment.

The apartment was on the 8th floor of the 20-story building. It was a two bedroom and two bath. Each one being a master bedroom with its own private bathroom. Drew brought Stephen over to the 2nd bedroom over to the right. His was close by to the entrance and small kitchen area. Drew's, on the other hand, was far off, on the other side of the living room and neighbored the balcony.

They entered the room. The two of them dropped his belongings onto his black sheeted queen-sized mattress. Drew brought him around to show him the walk-in closet beside the private bathroom. The entire area was already fully furnished with full bedroom set, and electronics. Stephen was amazed by this.

"Hey, so you were already prepared for me somehow?" asked Stephen.

"Heh, not exactly. Used to have a roommate here. Bit of a long story. Anyways, I think I've come to realize something."

"Oh..." Stephen looked around in confusion. "And what would that be?"

Drew grabbed the back of his head. "Well... we didn't exactly think of your belongings back on your campus. Now did we?"

Stephen smacked himself in the face. He thought, “So much for getting to stick around at my new place.”