Gabriel could still smell the burning rubber of the tires long after they left, the stench of petrol fumes flooding his nose — and that arrogant smile playing on repeat like a broken video. They were gone, but their mark was left.
He stood there fuming. He didn't even try to hide his anger; it was written all over his face as he stared off into the distance where Malakie's car once was. But that was the problem — the car was long gone, and Gabriel wasn't budging an inch.
"Get your bag now and let's go!" Gabriel commanded. He didn't even look at his brother when barking the order. He was that disappointed, he refused to lay eyes on his younger brother.
Daniel began to gather his stuff, throwing his bag over his shoulder. The look of despair twinkled in the corner of his eye. He had let down his brother, and he knew it. There was no hiding his connection to the criminal underworld; it was on full display for all to see.
As Daniel walked a few meters behind Gabriel and Jai-Lee, all he could think of was the damage that had been done to their relationship — and whether it was even repairable. After all, it had only just got up and running before the catastrophe pushed things off course— again.
The trio continued along the path home. The way toward Gabriel's house was unusually quiet — a silence that mirrored the tension between the three. Jai-lee felt caught in the middle of the brothers' rift and knew she had to do something.
"Gabe — are you just going to keep that sour face all the way home? It's killing the mood."
Gabriel stopped in his tracks, looking at Jai-Lee in shock. "Me? Me?" he said, jabbing a finger into his chest. "You want to talk about my sour face? It's more than justified, Jai. The paint hasn't even dried yet, and he's back painting another picture with the wrong paint — again."
"Gabe — I get it. But the metaphors, really? I know he was with the gang members again, but you didn't even give him a chance to explain himself. Maybe there was a reason out of his control as to why they were there," Jai-Lee said calmly, trying to reach the understanding side of him.
Gabriel rolled his eyes before answering. "Jai — then why didn't he say something? He had ample opportunities, but he never did. He skipped class again, and where did you find him? With criminals. He's been suspended, missed so much school, and then he's seen with gang members — again. It's like he just wants to throw his life away."
Daniel heard it all, but he wasn't about to just stand there and let his brother and his friend talk about him in such a negative fashion. He picked up steam, bumped straight past his brother, and continued his journey home.
"And where do you think you're going?" Gabriel shouted, but his brother didn't even acknowledge his words. He just carried on walking.
Gabriel clenched his fist. He couldn't believe his brother's behaviour. "You seeing this, Jai? He just doesn't care."
"Gabe — I know you think you're doing the right thing right now, but sometimes things need a more delicate touch. He's not you, Gabe."
Gabriel cut in like a knife through butter. "Of course not. I wouldn't do something so stupid."
"Gabe — when you calm down, maybe you'll see reason. You're letting your emotions get the better of you," Jai-Lee said as she rested her hand on Gabriel's shoulder, then left him to head home.
As Gabriel continued his walk, it wasn't long before he arrived at the front of his house. Standing in the doorway, arms crossed, was his mother. Gabriel put his head down and exhaled heavily. He knew that look and what it meant.
"Don't you start, Mom. Today's been a long day."
"A long day, you say, son? Well, whatever has gone on between you two, I want it sorted — and now," Veronica said.
Gabriel's head lifted, his eyes widening. He couldn't believe what his ears were hearing. "Why? I haven't done anything wrong — it's him."
He leaned his head to the side, making sure his mother couldn't block the words meant for his brother inside the house. "Maybe, just maybe, Daniel should make better life choices!" Gabriel shouted, his voice echoing through the house.
His mother spoke calmly, her eyes full of passion and empathy. "Gabriel, you're his big brother. I need you to remember — in times of struggle, he's going to look to you. You've been his example since he was in diapers."
That's when it dawned on Gabriel. His eyes widened in realisation as his mind pulled him back to that moment on the rooftop — Daniel, a boy petrified but trying to hold it together, someone who just wanted to be accepted.
Gabriel's shoulders relaxed. The anger that had built up inside him was gone. He walked past his mother into the hallway where his brother stood with his back against the wall. Gabriel pulled him forward by the arm and hugged him, whispering in his ear.
"I'm sorry, bro."
Daniel stood frozen, arms limp by his side. He couldn't believe his brother had apologised, let alone hugged him. It was like they were in an alternate universe, transported away from their usual norms.
Gabriel held him tight, refusing to let go. Daniel's eyes wandered around the room, still in shock. "Thanks… I guess," he muttered as he gently eased his brother off him.
"That's what I like to see from my favourite boys," Robert said with a smile as he popped up from the living room.
Gabriel and Daniel looked at each other with suspicion before turning back to their father.
Robert hadn't been at the family home before they got back from school in years, and neither of them was about to let him play it off like it was normal.
"You're here?" Gabriel asked, confusion laced through his voice.
"Well, this is my house, Gabriel," Robert fired back with a grin.
"But come on, Dad — nobody really sees you. Not at this time, anyway, so can you blame us?" Daniel added.
Robert chuckled, throwing his hands up. "Alright, alright — you got me on that one. But boys, it's not on purpose—"
Gabriel and Daniel, in sync and right on cue, cut in before their dad could finish: "I'd be here if I could. You know how much you boys mean to me."
Robert smiled faintly, but behind it was a shadow of guilt. He'd used the same excuse so many times, his sons knew it word for word.
It's the huge sacrifice… Missing them grow, missing milestones. It takes its toll. It's a battle I fight every day, but it's a battle I must fight nonetheless. I need to provide for them, to show them there are no limits to what you can achieve if you unleash the power of the mind. The only limits you have are the ones you set for yourself. So I must continue to work hard — for them, for us.
Robert exhaled slowly, the guilt pressing down on his heart. "Well, boys — I'll try to do better. You have my word."
Gabriel, already one foot on the step and a hand on the banister, wasted no time replying. "We'll hold you to that, Dad. But I'm going to head up to my room, if that's ok?"
"Yeah, me too," Daniel chimed in.
"Sure — you guys are free to go."
As Nicole watched on, a faint smile played on her lips. She had her boys all under the same roof — her house was full, and so was her heart.
But beneath that fragile peace, storms were already gathering.