When I see her coming into the office building doors, my initial thoughts turn to the worse possible explanation. Car accident, a fight, a trip down the stairs... Abuse!

Wendy attempts to limp her way over to her office room, but I catch her before she can get very far.

"Wendy, what's wrong? What happened? Let me help you!" I can't contain my protective side from spiraling out of my system. Gosh, I must sound like a creep.

I hold my arms out to her for extra support, but she waves it off, and gives a reassuring smile. "Jude, don't worry. I always get this kinda pain on my knee. Really, it's nothing much."

I lean my hand on the maroon wall next to us. "How long has it been hurting you?" My curiosity struggles to stay tame.

She looks down at her injured knee, shyly. "Oh, you know. Since I was eight."

My eyes go wide. "That's over seventeen years ago! Why haven't you gone to a doctor about this?"  Hurt pain could've gotten imperative over time, and yet she doesn't seem phased by it. Why would she place her health on hold all these years?

"I never really, had the chance. It only hurts a lot when weather gets colder or changes drastically, and around here that's all it seems to do. I guess it's just having an exceptionally  bad day." Wendy moves her leg around, to stretch it out, and her expression shows the pain it brings her. I fight the urge to cuddle her in my arms.

She isn't wrong. Millsboro Delaware has some ridiculous climate changes, and tends to keep the citizens all at edge. What I don't understand is why she couldn't just stop at the doctor's office for a checkup at least once? Didn't she tell her parents before that it has been bothering her?

Maybe she did, and they didn't care to help her.

I shift my weight at the thought. I won't be another person to let this slip by another day without cause. She deserves much more than that.

"Well, enough is enough. Wendy, I'm taking you to see a doctor." My words act without counseling my brain first. 

She freezes. "Wait, you mean you're coming with me?" She asks, and my lips form a thin line in embarrassment. Is that what I mean? Does she want me to come with her?

I'm not thinking things through, but I answer anyways. Too late to back out now.

"Yes, my brother is a doctor, he can help." I mentally slap myself. What am I doing? I don't even speak with Gabriel anymore!

"Oh, you have two brothers?" Her tone has progressed into something more light.

"Umm, well no." I chew on my bottom lip, knowing exactly where this conversation is heading.

She squints her eyes. "If you only have one brother then," She stops mid sentence, then has an Ah-Ha moment. Her eyes brighten at the resolution, then sink down in realization.

"But you don't even talk to your brother anymore." Wendy is very observant, so she figured out not too long ago that I don't have a jolly, hand-in-hand connection with my brother. Working near each other in a boring Contracting Office does help spark conversation, and unfortunately when the topic of siblings comes about, there's no actual way around it.

"Yeah, well, this is way more important than some silly, bad blood feud between my brother and I. You're hurt, and need to get this knee checked out immediately." What am I thinking? Better yet, what am I saying?

"Oh, Jude, I don't know if that's a good idea. If I'd cause the two of you to fight just for trying to help me, then I'll never be able to forgive myself." Her voice is broken, and weak, as she starts to limp towards her office again.

I take her right arm in my hand, and guide her, not letting her struggle all by herself. "Hey, you can't do anything worse than what we've already done. Besides, he should be happy I'm giving him business." I sass, and she giggles.

"Yeah, I guess that's true." Wendy says. We reach her office, and she waddles to her rolly chair, and gently sits on it.

"So, can we head to the doctor's tomorrow? Seven O'clock? It's a Saturday, and also flu season, so we should show up as early as possible." I suggest, while playing with her tape dispenser.

"We?" Wendy raises an eyebrow, and stops my hands from fiddling with the tape. I instantly clasp my hands behind my back, and flush.

"Uhh, yes. If you don't mind, I'd like to escort you to the doctor's office, and make sure you get the full care you deserve." I formally explain to her. She laughs again.

"Well, when you put it that way, then I can't refuse. Luckily for you, my schedule is wide open." Wendy snatches a neon sticky note from her desk, and a pink sparkly pen. Her effortless writing forms such elegant cursive that astonishes me every time I see it. Her style has a taste of Italian Belluccia that resembles a classical type of era that mesmerizes the eye.

Breaking my out of my trance, Wendy finishes writing, and hands the sticky note to me. 

"Umm, what's this?" I ask, dumbly.

"My address, silly. See you at seven."

I hate myself for blushing.

***

I roll up to Wendy's house five minutes to seven, and reluctantly check the sticky note, reassuring myself that this is the right place.

"Okay Jude, you can do this." I mutter, and slide out of my red 2010 Camry to Wendy's door. Her house is quite roomy for someone who lives alone. A nice front lawn, brick walkway with a welcome mat at the door. The house color is a soft beige, and holds a warm feeling all over.

I press the doorbell, and pray that this really is Wendy's house. Waiting for about ten seconds- which happens to be the longest ten seconds of my life- the wooden door swings open, and Wendy's shining face shows. All my stress suddenly fades, and gets replaced by a new kind of emotion; concern.

I don't just worry for Wendy, but that my brother will be difficult, and not give Wendy the proper care she deserves because she's with me.

Today she has her strawberry blonde hair down around her face. It outlines her tan color, and beautiful glaucous eyes. I look down at her, and smile.

She comes outside, and locks her door. I'm not much taller than her, so it isn't much of a challenge for her to reach my neck, and pull me in a surprise embrace. I've never actually been a hugging kind of person, so I pat her back, and take in the sweet smell of her shampoo, which happens to be cherry blossom.

Don't smell her, that's weird!

"I really appreciate this, Jude." She whispers to me. I hold her tightly.

A beat passes before we let go. "Of course." I tell her, smile still intact.

I help her in my car, and drive off to meet my doom, begging it's some hope for Wendy.

"You know," Wendy starts as we zoom passed trees, and buildings on the road. "You're the first person to truly care about my injured knee. My mother always brushed it off, she was in denial. As I got older, I sorta forgot that it should be a priority. I'm glad you've made me see otherwise."

I pull into the doctor's office, and find a place to park. Shifting the gears to parking mode, I meet eyes with her.

"Then I'm pleased I could help you understand how important this is to your health."

As we get out of the car, and slowly pace towards the door, Wendy speaks again.

"I guess I'm just having a hard time understanding why. Why would you go through all this trouble for me?"

I prop the door open for her to enter first. "What can I say, you're worth it, Wendy." I see her blush before she goes through the door, and it sends flutters to my stomach.

We head in line to sign in, and lucky for us, there isn't many people waiting in line yet. We got here in the nick of time!

"Jude, I never really got to ask, but why don't you talk to your brother anymore? Did you get into a fight, or something?"  Wendy questions, but I don't think I can give her an answer.

Why don't I talk to my brother? I wish I had one answer, but I don't.

And just like that, years of history unfold in my memory....

Saturday, February 16th, 2003, 12:35 pm:

"Gabriel!" My mother calls to him from the kitchen, and he stomps his way downstairs, yawning, with crazy bed head. I keep my eyes on my homework, not wanting to get on his nerves today.

"Gabe, honey, it's two in the afternoon, you need to get up, and do something with your life. " She says sincerely, and I try to hold in a laugh.

Gabe, do something, on a weekend? Forget it! The day Gabe does something on a weekend is the day pigs fly!

"Mother," His jaw tenses up. "Please draw your attention to the calendar." He brings our mom over to the fridge, and his middle finger points at the calendar hanging on it by a magnet. Probably no coincidence of the finger choice.

"You see, today is the sixteenth, and whaddayaknow! It happens to be on a Saturday, meaning no school, meaning kids get a break! I'm a junior in high school, and need my sleep, mother! "

He pushes pass her to the other side of the fridge to open it, and gulps down orange juice from the carton. After finishing his exaggerated sip, he continues to rant.

"But it's too late to go back to bed now. Dad is mowing the lawn, and you've gotten me so annoyed that sleep won't find me again. Thanks for that." He wipes juice off his face with his mouth.

"Bummer." I mumble to myself, but I wasn't quiet enough.

"What did you say, punk?" Gabe smacks the back of my head, and my mom yells at him to cool it.

"Alright, listen! I'm sorry for waking you up, and that your dad is being productive, and mowing the lawn." She says, emphasising the word 'productive.'

She snatches her leather, black purse on the counter. "I'm going out to the store to grab a few things. Anything you guys need?" She asks, and I shake my head 'no' at the same time Gabe says "Yeah, a new brother."

"My mom rolls her eyes. "Don't say that about Jude! He's a wonderful brother to you."

"Yeah, yeah." Gabe waves his hand while wrapping his arm around my neck, pretending to make a friendly gesture, when in reality he's choking me.

"Go, mom. We'll be juuuust fine." He falsely coaxes, and she heads out to garage where her car is parked.

"Gabe. Can't. Breath." I struggle to say, and he gives me a sly grin.

"Wait for it... wait for it ... annnnnd..."

My mother's scream shakes the house, and she comes back into the kitchen, boiling.

"What happened to my car? My brand new car? Gabriel!" My brother lets me go now, and is at my mom's side, rubbing her arms.  I start to breathe again, and proceed with my math homework.

"Hey, now it wasn't me." He tells her.

"You were the last one to use it, which was last night." She informs him, but he wags his head.

"My dear mother, I tried to tell him, but Jude just doesn't listen." My head shoots up from my work.

"Yeah," Gabe continues, eyes full of evil that my mother is too blind to notice. "He wanted to go for a drive, but on his way out of the garage, he hit a tree. He begged for my help to put it back in the garage, and wanted me to promise not to tell you, but I would never lie to you, mother. Good news is the tree is fine." He fakes sympathy, but my mother's gaze seeps into me, and I open my mouth to explain.

"That makes zero sense! I don't even drive. Where would I go, anyways? Mom,  please don't seriously tell me you believe this bogus story." I pled, but she isn't buying it. She trusts my brother, a liar. It's always him she believes.

"Which makes it even more believable. Mom knows I'd never crash her car, and since you have no experience of driving, you would be more prone to wreck it. What a shame." Gabe pouts like a puppy, then grins behind his mask. A sneer only I can sense.

My mom then blows her top at me, but I only pay attention to Gabe, who stands behind our mother, arms crossed, and plasters a smile that I wish would dissolve into the pits of hell. 

Wednesday, May 6th, 2005, 3:15:

"Gabe, what did you say to her!" I bang on the door to my brother room.

"Stop banging on my door, you sleez!" He yells back at me, but he won't go off so easily.

Five minutes ago the girl I've been with for six years just dumped me, and when I asked her why, she merely said, 'go ask your brother.' and left.

Now I refuse to leave until I figure out why she left me, and my brother is the key to it all.

"Gabrial, what did you tell Cristina?" I holler, fists punching his door.

It swings open, and Gabe, shoves me to the wall. "Listen here, scrub. I'm 19 years old, I go to boring med school, and need to spice my life up a bit. That's where you come in."

He brings his lips to my ear, and roughly whispers dreadful words to me. "You see, I need to be kept entertained, and your little love life was getting too annoying to watch."

My shoulders contain grave pain from the  pressure Gabe's hands have on me. "Wh-what do you mean?" I mutter, but I think I know the answer to my own question.

"It means," He snarls. "That I paid your little girlfriend to break up with you." He lets me go, and pats my back slowly, fiercely. How did he even get the money to pay her? Better yet, how much was it? My body is under lockdown.

"It's okay buddy, she was cheating on you anyways." Gabe snickers at his own comment, and slams his bedroom door behind him.

Looks like he can entertain himself just fine with the amount of bullshit that comes out of his selfish mouth.

Sunday, August 20th, 2011, 5:42:

I keep my head down, holding back my tears. The preacher goes on, talking about God, and the afterlife, but I'm not paying attention. They're gone, and I'm all alone. At least it seems that way.

The Priest finally stops to end the ceremony by dropping their bodies into the ground. I acknowledge people I know all around me, but there's only one person that stands out to me, my brother.

He got the dream job he's always wanted,  being a rich doctor, while I start my life faxing papers, and stapling contracts away. Gabe's features only show complete fury.

With the deed done, and tearful goodbyes all said, we head over toward our cars to drive home.

As I walk away, one weary step at a time, I still have my head down when I'm all of a sudden toppled onto the floor.

I land on my face, but instantly forced to turn around, being face to face with my attacker. I'm not surprised to see my brother's face, snarling at me.

A punch to my stomach knocks the wind out of me. "You killed em. It's all you're fault. You, and your stupid birthday. I hate you!" Another hit to my stomach.

At this point, our family has gathered around us, and some older male cousins pry him off of me. They tell him to calm down as other family members help me to my feet. I don't have the strength to breathe yet.

They ask me hospitable questions, but I ignore them, only listening to what Gabriel is yelling at me, as he gets dragged to his car.

"I've always hated you. You're a mistake, an awful, ugly mistake. I hate you!"

I didn't sleep that night.

Or the night after.

And the next night...

And the night right after...

"Jude? Hello? You okay?" Wendy snaps her fingers in front of my face. "Earth to Jude. We're next in line, honey."

I rapidly blink at the sound of Wendy calling me honey.

"Sorry." I sheepishly say, and we move forward to the lady at the desk.

"Hello, there. I'm Val, how can I help you two today?" The lady asks, and right when I'm about to answer, Wendy beats me to it.

"Hi, I'm here to see Doctor Gabriel Morrow about a knee injury." She says, and Val hands her a pen to sign some papers stacked on a clipboard.

I tune out, still trying to wash the memories away from my brain. I haven't thought about my past in a very long time, and I like to keep it that way. The last time I talked to my brother was at our parents funeral, and though it's been five years, and things might have simmered down, I still don't want to see his face. In fact, it's much more pleasant pretending he doesn't exist. Saves me from all the horrid memories of how much he hates me.

A light tap on my shoulder shakes me from my thoughts. "Jude, come on. We have to wait now." Wendy holds my hand to help me in a seat. So much for helping her, she's now helping me. I'm useless!

"Yeah, I'm sorry. I just don't like to talk about my brother is all." I massage my forehead.

Wendy's eyes look at me with shame. "I'm sorry for bringing it up, but do you think you'll be okay to see him? You can wait here if you'd like. I don't want you to feel uncomfortable-"

"Wendy," I kindly cut her off. " It's okay. I'm a mature adult, and can handle confrontation. Besides, this isn't about me, this is about getting you help, and treatment. I won't leave you alone."

She sighs. "Jude, dear, I'm an adult too. If you can't do this, then I'm fine with going in on my own." The thought of Wendy alone with my brother makes my stomach churn. I don't trust him, doctor or not.

"No, no, I'm serious. I can do this." I will get through this, for Wendy.

She nods her head, and the conversation ends.

The bland, baby blue walls make me sleepy, and my stomach growls. Kids play with some toys on the floor, giggling about a secret language only they can understand, while their parents are stuck watching The News on the TV that's above.  A short, hispanic nurse with a thick accent comes in, and out of the room to call patients over, and I've never been so nervous. I'm not even the person needing the doctor, and I'm a wreck! I can only imagine how Wendy feels.

Wendy reads a magazine about how to have an effective diet, and I mentally roll my eyes. Wendy is far from over weight, but girls always assume they are the fattest person on the planet, and need a diet.

The hispanic nurse opens the door for the hundredth time, and reads her clip board. "Wendy Duncan, please come, come. You turn now." I feel sweat drip down my ear, but I smoothly bring Wendy to her feet, and guide her to the door. I don't know if her knee is hurting at this moment, but it's better to be safe than sorry, and she doesn't seem to mind that I'm assisting her.

"Aw, querida! Mami, what's the matter?" The nurse whines, and Wendy tucks a strand of hair out of her face.

"Oh, it's my knee." She explains, and the nurse pouts. "That is very sad, mami! Don't worry. Don't worry! Morrow will make pain desaparecer. Vamos!"

We follow the nurse through a twisty hallway until we get to a door with the label G.Morrow in bold.

"Uno momento." The lady says, and knocks on the door. "Senor, I have Wendy here. Bebe's knee is hurting."

Then, the door swings open to reveal a face that's haunted me forever. My brother.  He still looks the exact same, dark eyes to match his pitch black hair. Some stress marks appear on his tan face, but that's what you get for wanting to be a doctor. What really proves that he's the same person I used to know is that sharp smile he gives us.

"Oh, well I can help with that. Come on in, you two." He motions us inside, and I just stare at him. Either he's pretending he doesn't know me, or he doesn't recognize his other half.

The room is quant. Tan walls with two chairs, and a patient's bed perfectly secure on the tile. White paper covers the bed the patient lays on, and I wonder why this is the case. A sink is at the back with cabinets on top, and a wall phone next to the door, along with a small desk at the far right of the room with paperwork on it. The feel of the room is empty, and I hate the smell of any doctor's office. Especially my brother's office. Medicine with a hint of evil linger in the air.

Wendy positions herself on the patient's bed, and I follow behind, standing right next to her, arms hugging my body in awkwardness.

"Gracias, Claudia. You can attend to the counter, Val says it's getting busy there. If I need you, I'll ring."  He tells the hispanic lady at the door, and I can see her blush from where I stand.

"Aw, it okay. You need anything, I here for you." She tells him. Gabe nods, then closes the door behind her as she trots away.

My brother crosses the room to grab Wendy's paperwork from his desk.

"Hmm, a knee that's been hurting you since you were eight, eh? Sounds promising." He says to no one in particular.

"How exactly did this happen?" He looks up at Wendy.

"I'm not too sure. I think I was running one day, and my knee kinda gave out. After that day, it would hurt periodically, and I don't know why."

Gabe nods his head in understandment. "Okay, well I think a good old X-ray can give me more information on what's actually hurting. But may I?" He holds his hand out, as if to say 'can I touch you?' and Wendy doesn't protest.

I flinch at the contact he makes with her knee, and I'm hoping they don't notice. I dislike my brother touching her, point blank. My nails dig into the sides of my arms, concealing my temper, and reminding myself that this is his job.

Massaging his hand over the knee area, his eyes meet hers. "Does any of this hurt?" Gabe questions.

"No, sir. Not at all." She informs him.

"Hmm, okay. I'll send Claudia over to get you to a scanning room. It shouldn't take long, dear." Gabe walks over to a wall phone, and dials some numbers.

I meet eyes with Wendy, and she shyly smiles. In the corner of my eye, I spot her hand close by me, and take it in my own to reassure her that everything will be fine. Her fingers interlock with mine, and my heart does a backflip.

"Hola, Claudia, darling. I need you in my office, again, por favor. Sorry for needing you so suddenly." Gabriel talks through the phone, then after a short pause he hangs up.

"When Claudia comes over, she'll take you to the room next door." He says to Wendy, then turns to acknowledge me for the first time.

"You can stay here, and wait, it won't take long, and I'll get the results in a jiffy." Just then, a knock on the door echoes in the rooms.

"Senor Morrow, I am here." Claudia's sing-song voice travels through the door, and Gabe chuckles.

"Entrar, Señora."

Claudia comes into the room, ready to do whatever Gabe tells her like a minion.

"Scan Wendy's knee for me, por favor?" He ask her, and she takes Wendy by the hand, helping her down from the cushioned bed.

"Okay, bonita, let me help you." Claudia guides her out of the room. Wendy looks back at me, as if to ask if I will be okay.

I smile back, hoping it's convincing enough, and she disappears through the door. As it closes, Gabe sighs, and sits on his chair.

"So, you finally got over Cristina?" His laugh comes out dry. I don't say a word.

"Oh come on, Jude! Don't make this awkward." He bangs his hand on the desk, which is then followed by more silence.

Gabe snorts. "You know, I wanted to find you. I wanted to go to you. Talk about things."

"Then why didn't you?" My voice spits out like fire, stronger than I intended.

"Because then," he stops, and rubs his face with both hands. "Then you'd see me cry. I wasn't ready to cry again, especially in front of you. But then again, I never will be ready."

My jaw tightens. I'm left with nothing to say.

"Jude, I've never hated you, ever." His lip quivered, but doubt gets the best of me.

I grunt. "Yeah, sure." Sarcasm rolls off my tongue.

"I'm serious. I never hated you. I still don't. I envy you."

Says the guy with all the money!  "And why would you feel that way, exactly?" My patience starts to run thin.

"Because no matter what you do, you'll always be good. Always be the kid who everyone likes, a guy that's respectful, and wonderful, and that proper girls are attracted to. You're a fantastic person, and I'm not. Never have been. Even as a doctor."

"Aren't you married?! Cause I'm sure as hell not!" I argue. "I've been single since Cristina left me, thank you very much!" I uncross my arms, and step close to his face. He rises from his chair.

"Yeah, I got married!' He yells back at me.

"Then got divorced, then married again. After three months she ended up hating my guts too, so I got a divorce again. I was about to be married again in July, till Milinda woke up one day and said 'You know Gabe, you're an ugly prick bastard! Forget you!' "

He plops back in the seat again. I swallow my rude words that were about to slide out of my mouth, and sigh instead.

"That girl, she likes you, and you like her. It's not rocket science." Gabriel continues to say.

"You know what's wrong with her knee don't you? She doesn't need a scanning." I put the puzzle pieces together, and he gives his signature smile at me.

"You're still an excellent observer, Jude. I like that. But you should know, Wendy isn't going to be able to walk on her own for a while. She's gonna need someone who really cares about her to help, and guide her." Gabe hints at me. 

"And?" I raise my eyebrows in annoyance.

Gabe rolls his eyes. "Jude, you can't be that clueless about girls still! Haven't you learned anything?"

I shrug, having no idea how to answer the question.

"Listen, I'm getting off topic. What I'm trying to say is that I've just felt so guilty all these years, but been too much of a wuss to do anything about it. I was a jerk. Or still am one." I blink a few times to make sure this isn't a dream.

"Jude, I haven't been the best brother, or family member. After all, it's just us left around here. But I do want to spend the rest of my life proving to you that I really do care about you. You really are worth every good thing this Earth has to offer, Jude. I'm sorry I haven't been there for you when you needed a brother."

Suddenly, the anger I hold for my brother that has congested in me over the years, vanishes, and I break down. Gabe hugs me as I cry like a little kid, till I realize he's crying with me.

All those years of bullying me, and saying words that have scarred me don't matter anymore. I finally got what I've always wanted; to be accepted, and loved by my brother.

We are still in a tight bear hug when the door swings open, and Claudia's voice fills the air.

"Senor Morr-Oh! Mira, Mira! They hug like friends. Bueno!" The Spanish lady celebrates like we're on some TV show.

We let go, and wipe our happy tears away. This would've been extremely embarrassing if I wasn't so filled with ecstatic emotion.

Wendy is next to Claudia, and she can't contain her joy either. The corners of her mouth curve and her precious eye gleam in cheer.

After we push the moment aside, and get the results of the scanning, it turns out that it's muscle tissue that has been bothering Wendy, and she'll need to wear a brace until further notice.

"You're lucky you got here on time. If you waited another month or so, it could have been much worse. Extra lucky for have waiting all these years." Gabe informs us, as he walks us out of the back hall, and into the waiting room.

Before I open the door to get back in the waiting room, my brother calls to me.

"Jude, don't be a stranger." He hands me a piece of paper with a number, and address. I grin.

"As for you Miss. Wendy, I expect a check up every two months to further help this issue." Gabe hands her a business card, and waves goodbye. Claudia follows behind him in glee.

"Adios!" She hollers.

We get back into the car with emotions still joyful, and I take Wendy safely back home.

***

"Jude!" A female voice calls out to me, and I place my call on hold. Monday's are always so busy with complainers from the weekend. 'My car insurance is over the roof!' 'I already paid this off!' 'Where is your manager?'

"Oh, hey Wendy. How was your weekend?" I ask.

"Ehh, relaxing I guess. I just wanted to thank you again, for the millionth time, for everything Saturday." She beams. Wendy called me at least three times Saturday after I took her to the doctors, and said she's glad that she's the cause of my brother and I finally making up.

I hastily laugh, running my fingers through my brown hair. "Oh, it was nothing. Just glad I could help."

Wendy maneuvers her way over to where I sit at my desk. "I forgot to repay you." She tells me.

"Oh, no need to repay-" And Wendy's soft lips kiss my burning cheek.

"Thank you, Jude. You're a loving person with a kind heart, and I'm so grateful for everything you do." She walks back around to the main pathway to her office, when I call out to her.

"Wendy, why did you do that?" I fluster, heart pounding like an army. My fingertips graze the area she kissed as if an angel had touched it.

She timidly shrugs, and rubs her lips together. "What can I say, Jude. You're worth it."