Free Michael by Kirby Elaine

distaste for me. Not to mention everyone knew that I was the product of my father’s indiscretions. Not something that I could exactly hide.
    “Why are you hiding out up here?” My father’s voice startled me. I shrugged my shoulders.
    “Don’t feel much like hanging out with Liam’s friends, they aren’t my friends.” I remarked looking at the guys huddled around the buffet table.
    “So? It’s your sibling’s birthday, the least you can do is socialize a bit. I get that you feel uncomfortable around these crowds but you’re my son too. I’d like to see you having a good time with your brother and sister.” I sat on the rail across from me. He peered over the side.
    “Liam doesn’t want anything to do with me. He’s embarrassed by me and blames me for Kat.” I replied. I picked at my nails waiting for my father’s response.
    “You know what son, Kat was sick long before you got here. She was depressed and at the end of her rope. If the pills didn’t kill her, the cancer would have. I know that, Leah knows that and Liam knows that. You’re the scapegoat for him, that’s all. He is a lost kid and needs someone to blame. But consider this, he’s okay blaming you because he knows you won’t turn your back on him. You keep pushing long enough, he’ll let you in.” His eyes watered.
    “Dad,” I mumbled. “you think he’ll ever see me as his brother?”
    “Michael, someday, you’ll be his best friend, I promise.” The tall man stood and placed his hand on my shoulder. “Go have some fun.”
    I walked through the house and out into the festivities. I watched Liam as I talked to a girl from school about my piece of junk car sitting in the driveway. She went on to tell me about a book she had read as looked right pass her at my brother as he laughed with his friends. I thought about what my father told me and decided I’d keep trying until Liam let me in.
    ***
    “Why don’t you go home and get rest, honey?” Patricia said patting my arm awakening me from my slumber. I cleared the haze over my eyes and let go of my father’s hand. I stood and wrapped my arms around my step-mother. “It’s okay, honey. He’s fighting, else he would have already let go.”
    “I know.” I said, releasing her. “It’s just hard to imagine that this could happen to him.”
    “Well, your father is no saint, Michael, and things like this happen to the best of us.” She patted my back as I grabbed my keys from the chair where I had sat.
    “I’ll be back in a few hours. I’m going to make sure Krishna and the kids are okay. Call me if anything changes.” I kissed her on the cheek and left the room. No sooner had I gotten in my car did my phone began buzzing. My brother had called three times in the past hour. I answered.
    “Michael, tell me you’re still at the hospital.”
    “I left a few minutes ago. I’m headed your way. What’s going on?” I pulled into the traffic and weave through it effortlessly.
    “The family lawyer has asked to talk with us, Patricia too, but since you’re headed this way, I’ll have him head over.”
    “And Patricia?” I asked.
    “I don’t know. He asked us to invite her as a courtesy. Apparently he found something that is not so good in Dad’s papers.”
    “Shit!” I knew exactly what it was. “Be there in fifteen minutes.” I hung up the phone and picked up speed. My father definitely wasn’t going to pull through this now, not if he had a medical directive in place. I knew that’s what the papers were going to tell us. That man and his damn reputation, he didn’t want to look weak.
    When I hit the door, the lawyer was already there and Leah and Liam were both with him in the sitting room. I took a seat and looked between my brother and sister. My eyes landed on Liam who mouthed, “what the hell is it?” at me before giving the lawyer his attention.
    The tall, thin man sat a manila folder on the glass coffee table and slid it towards Liam. Liam picked it up