I can tell by the way he’s stumbling up the front steps that Joseph Greenly is drunk. And since his brother has seemingly shown up out of the blue, things could get tense. So, despite my better judgment, I grab a T-shirt and walk barefoot across the street. There’s a nice breeze but it’s not exactly cold, so I don’t waste time getting fully dressed. If Joseph had pulled up twenty minutes later, I might have already been asleep. But now that I know he’s around, I won’t be able to relax until I’m sure Mrs. Greenly and Nathan are okay.

Joseph is already inside when I get close to the house. I can’t hear any shouting so maybe things aren’t as bad as I suspected. Maybe Joseph called his brother and told him to visit their mother before it’s too late. As much as I’d like to believe that scenario could happen in an average family, I don’t believe for one second that’s what happened here.

Just to be sure, I glance inside the front window and take a peek. Mrs. Greenly is sobbing into her hands while Nathan holds her. Joseph isn’t in the living room at first, but then he appears.

With a glass of liquor in his hand.

The way he leers at his brother sends a shiver through me because his eyes aren’t filled with hate or malice. They’re filled with desire. It’s disgusting. I can tell by the way Nathan is shifting his body weight to keep his brother in his line of sight at all times that he feels the threat too. The men are talking to each other, but I can’t hear what they’re saying through the double-paned glass.

All I can see is that Joseph and Nathan are getting more and more agitated with each passing second. When Joseph grabs his brother by the arm and yanks him away from their mother, I know I have to step in. I turn the knob on the front door and it gives, opening up into the entry way.

“Mrs. Greenly, it’s Dodge Trimble. I heard some noise and just wanted to make sure you were okay over here.” The looks of terror and relief I see on the three faces in front of me confirm that nobody is buying my story. But that’s not the point. The point is to make sure no one gets hurt.

“Get the fuck out.” Joseph let’s go of his brother and steps toward me. “Everything’s fine.”

Not the least bit intimidated by this asshole, I walk straight into his personal space, crowding him until he sways from his drunken equilibrium. I turn toward Nathan and hold out my hand. “Nathan, right? I haven’t seen you around in a few years. I’m Dodge Trimble, I live across the street.”

“Uh, yeah. I remember.” Nathan’s hand is soft, not covered in callus from drawing like mine are. “Hi.”

“I just wanted to check in on your mom.” I turn to Mrs. Greenly. “How are you feeling, Mrs. Greenly?”

She sighs heavily and looks worse than normal. “I think the excitement of the day is starting to take its toll.” She turns to me. “Would you help me get upstairs? I’m afraid I’ll fall down if I try on my own.”

Horrified by the image, I jump to her side, eager to get her out of here so I can deal with her son…both of them. “Yeah, of course. Um, should I carry you?”

She pats my hand with an amused smile. “That’s not necessary. Just hold under my arm for stability. I try not to maneuver the stairs very often these days.”

I gently guide her up the first few steps, but she really is moving slow. I’m normally a patient guy, but I don’t feel comfortable leaving Nathan and Joseph alone for more than a minute or two, so I hold out my other arm and look down at her. “May I?”

She dips her chin as if embarrassed, but I can feel her relief when I lift her into my arms and quickly carry her up the remaining steps. I take her straight to her bedroom and gently place her at the head of her bed. “Do you need anything else right now?”

She sighs as her eyes drift shut. “No, thank you, Dodge. But please make sure my boys don’t get into any more trouble down there.”

That’s exactly what I intend to do. “Of course. Good night.”

She seems to already be asleep as I slip out the door and take the stairs three at a time. When I get back in the living room, Nathan is standing by the fireplace with his arms folded over his chest, and Joseph is just staring at him.

Leering might be the better word to describe his predatory gaze. As soon as he sees me, Joseph opens the front door and holds it for me. “Have a nice evening.”

I don’t think so, bud. “Actually, I figured I’d hang out for a little while to catch up with you guys. You know, see if there’s anything else your mom needs.”

Joseph finally tears his attention away from his brother to glare at me. “That won’t be necessary, Dodge. You can go now.”

“Your mom asked me to stay. This is still her house, right?” I shouldn’t be egging him on, but he needs to know I’m not going to be intimidated by him. He might like to prey on the weak and defenseless, but I don’t fall into either of those categories. I’ve wanted to kick his ass since we were kids, and I would love to finally get my chance to show him what happens when he picks on somebody his own size… at least in weight. We probably both weigh in around 215, but I’m mostly muscle, whereas Joseph has gotten soft over the years.

“Why the fuck are you here, man? This is none of your business.” Obviously, his patience is wearing thin.

That’s fine because mine is too. “I just stopped by to check on your mom.”

“Why? This is a family matter, and just because your old man was always trying to get a piece of her, it does not make you family.” He pulls the door open wider and gives me a pointed look as if that’s supposed to make me rush through it.

I don’t even bother responding to his jab as I turn to Nathan and approach him with my hand out. “Nathan, right? It’s been a while. I don’t think I’ve seen you since you moved.”