The Bolt brothers were tired, but happy. As Jeremy cooked breakfast for himself and his brothers for the last time, he was content. He was going to marry the girl he loved in just a few hours! He whistled a little tune as he worked.
      Jason and Joshua watched him. Each of them were grinning, so happy to see their younger brother this way. In three short years, he had changed from a painfully shy, insecure, stuttering boy into a confident man about to get married and take on the responsibilities of a family. They knew that Candy had played a large role in that transformation, but they also knew that Jeremy had an inner strength that was able to shine once he finally developed a little bit of confidence. They were very proud of him.
      "Breakfast almost ready, Jeremy? It's getting late."
      "Just another minute or two, Jason."
      "Well, Jeremy, we have another reason to be celebrating today."
      "What's that, Josh?"
      "We won't have to eat your cooking anymore!" The brothers laughed together.
      "You're right, Josh. You and Jason will have to cook for yourselves! And as I recall, there was a reason I was made the cook around here!" Somehow, Josh didn't find that quite so funny. Jeremy placed the plates on the table, each piled high with bacon and eggs. The brothers sat down around the table and began to eat.
      After breakfast, Joshua took care of the dishes. Jeremy started getting washed and shaved at the basin. Jason was putting the finishing touches on his newly shined boots. The brothers tended to their chores in companionable silence, each thinking their own thoughts. They would not have been surprised to know they were thinking almost the same thing. How it had been just the three of them for so long, ever since their father died. Joshua and Jeremy were still very young, and Jason had taken on the responsibility of raising his younger brothers.
      Because of that, they shared a very strong bond, a bond that nothing could ever break. They all knew that things were about to change, and change for the better. But mixed in with all the happiness and joy, there was a sense of loss mixed in as well. They all felt it and knew the others felt it too, but none of them could express it.
      The three men were almost dressed. Jeremy was at the mirror, trying to tie his tie, without much success. He could never tie the darn thing when he was this nervous. Frustrated, he called his brother. "Jason?"
      Jason stopped what he was doing and stepped behind Jeremy and tied it for him.
       Joshua watched as Jason turned Jeremy to face him, his hands on his younger brother's shoulders.
      They stood there for a moment looking at each other, not knowing quite what to say, until Jason made a fist with his right hand and held it out. Jeremy looked down, looked back up at his older brother's face and placed his own hand over Jason's. Joshua was already coming across the room. He reached his brothers and placed his own hand on top of Jeremy's. Jason placed his left hand over Joshua's, closing the special handshake they had used since they were children. No words were needed.