Back in his home, Caleb lay on his bed staring at the ceiling. The house was empty for once. It had become a little difficult staying with Joshua, who was now finding fault with him over how he had treated Deborah.
"Joshua, I'm sorry I said those things to her, but I thought she liked the way you behaved," Caleb said, trying to explain himself. "Look at her and how she acted when you had trouble with your brother." Caleb added, hoping Joshua would understand.
But Joshua's expression remained stern. "She was your friend, Caleb, but were you ever her friend?" Joshua asked, his voice laced with disappointment.
Caleb felt a pang of guilt. He had never thought about it that way before. He had always assumed that Deborah was just being friendly, but now he realized that he had taken her for granted.
Caleb was stricken at Joshua's words. Mary was no longer talking to him, and for the first time he could remember, Joshua was not taking his side. He stared at the ceiling, trying not to think about Deborah. What was she doing? How was she feeling? He kept trying to push her out of his mind, but her face kept appearing. If he went to see her, what would she say?
Down with love, he muttered to himself.
Just then, Lucas came into the room. "Hey Caleb... what are you doing here?" he asked, flopping down onto the bed.
"What do you mean? It's my house as much as yours," Caleb replied, feeling a bit defensive.
"Oh well, great of you to finally remember you have a brother," Lucas said, grinning.
But Caleb could see that Lucas was trying to hide something. He looked nervous and jerky, and his eyes kept darting around the room.
"Lucas, what's wrong?" Caleb asked, feeling a sense of concern.
But Lucas just shook his head. "Nothing, Caleb. Just drop it, okay?"
Caleb sat up, feeling a sense of frustration. "Lucas, come on. You can tell me. What's going on?"
Lucas sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I'm in trouble, Caleb. Deep trouble."
Caleb's heart sank. What had Lucas done now?
"What is it?" Caleb pressed, feeling a sense of trepidation.
Lucas's eyes were haunted. "I need money, lots of it."
Caleb felt a sense of dread. What had Lucas gotten himself into?
"What have you done this time?" Caleb asked, trying to keep his tone neutral.
Lucas hesitated, looking around the room nervously. "I needed some cash, so I helped some guys sell some things. I just didn't sell enough."
Caleb's heart sank. He knew what Lucas was involved in, and it wasn't good.
"What did you sell?" Caleb asked, feeling a sense of anger.
Lucas looked away, unable to meet Caleb's eyes. "You know... " he trailed off.
Caleb felt a sense of disgust. "You sold drugs?" he accused.
Lucas nodded, looking ashamed. "I didn't mean to, Caleb. I just needed the money."
Caleb felt a sense of frustration. Why did Lucas always get himself into these situations?
"Did you run away with their money?" Caleb demanded.
Lucas shook his head. "No, Caleb. I swear. I just didn't sell enough."
Caleb sighed, feeling a sense of resignation. What was he going to do with Lucas?
"You cannot judge me," Lucas said, turning his face away.
But Caleb could see the fear in his brother's eyes. Lucas was scared, and Caleb knew he had to help him.
"Lucas, I'm not judging you," Caleb said, trying to reassure him. "I just want to help you."
But Lucas just shook his head. "You can't help me, Caleb. I'm in too deep."
Caleb felt a sense of desperation. What was he going to do?
"Lucas, listen to me," Caleb said, trying to reason with him. "We can figure this out together. We can find a way to get you out of this mess."
But Lucas just looked at him, his eyes filled with despair. "You don't understand, Caleb. I'm in danger. My life is at risk."
Caleb felt a chill run down his spine. What had Lucas gotten himself into?
"What do you mean?" Caleb asked, feeling a sense of fear.
Lucas hesitated, looking around the room nervously. "I owe some people money, Caleb. A lot of money. And if I don't pay them, they'll kill me."
Caleb felt a sense of horror. What was he going to do?
Lucas, you know I will do anything for you, but will things stop there? Will you be okay? Fine, I will be fine. He gave Caleb a hug. Get some money for me and pack some of your shirts for me. And you watch.
"My watch?" Caleb asked, confused.
Lucas smiled weakly. "I'll make it up to you. I swear it."
Later, when they were at the bus stop, Caleb asked, "When will you be back?"
"As soon as I am somewhere safe, I will call you so you can help me get the rest of the money," Lucas replied. "Dad or Uncle Kane will give it to you if you can tell a good lie. Okay?"
Caleb nodded, feeling a sense of worry. He knew that Lucas was in trouble, and he didn't know how to help him.
Lucas hesitated, looking at Caleb with a serious expression. "I know I've been a total creep, and I don't deserve you, but whatever is going to happen, just know I never meant anything. I swear it. You'll always be my little brother."
He added quickly, "Bye," before walking into the darkness.
As Caleb watched Lucas go, he had a sudden memory of when the two of them were small, and Lucas was teaching him how to ride a bicycle. Or the first time they had gone swimming together.
"I can't," Caleb had sobbed after falling off the bicycle for the fifth time.
"Yes, you can," Lucas had said. "See, I can stand and cycle, and you can too. I promise."
Caleb had tried again, and with Lucas's help, he had finally learned to ride.
That was his Lucas. Whatever anyone said, it had always been both of them against the world.
That night, Caleb couldn't sleep. He thought of his mother and badly wished she were here.
"Look after your brother," she had said.
But Caleb was the younger one, and now he needed looking after himself.