Chapter 6 Matt awoke to the smell of breakfast cooking.  That was one thing he missed about home while he was on the road - his dad’s breakfasts.  He hopped out of bed and threw some clothes on. "Something smells good.  I’m starved.", he said as she walked into the kitchen to find Gilbert setting the last plate on the table.  Matt had a seat and piled his plate full of food - eggs, bacon, grits, biscuits and gravy. "Do you boys EAT on the road?", Gilbert asked sitting down and watching his son shovel in his food.  Matt laughed, "Yeah.  We eat, but not like this." They heard the front door open. "We’re in here!", Gilbert called.  "I know.  I smell food.", Jeff said walking into the kitchen and grabbing a plate from the cabinet. Matt suddenly lost his appetite and set his fork down on his plate, "What’s he doing here?" Gilbert looked at Matt oddly, "What do you mean what is he doing here, he’s having breakfast." Matt’s glaring sneers went unnoticed to Jeff as he sat down and piled the food onto his plate.  Gilbert noticed that Matt was no longer eating and that the two brothers hadn’t even said the first word to each other, "What’s going on?"  "Shannon and I are gonna prolly go riding for a little while, but other than that nothing.  Why, you need me to do something?", Jeff asked. "No, boy.  What’s going on with you two?", he snapped.  Jeff and Matt stared at each other.  "Nothing.  You know what Dad, breakfast was good, but I’m not as hungry as I thought.", Matt said getting up and clearing his place.  Gilbert looked at Jeff.  "What?", Jeff asked. Matt was just about to walk out of the kitchen when Gilbert spoke up, "Matthew, get back here."  Matt stopped and sighed, "Dad, I really don’t want to get into this with you."  "I said get back here, now.", Gilbert demanded. "What?", Matt asked now standing beside his father. "Don’t ‘what’ me boy, sit down.", Gilbert insisted.  He did as he was told but made no eye contact with his brother.  "Something is going on between you two and I want it worked out now.", Gilbert insisted.  "It’s not that simple.", Matt stated.  "Sure it is.  You two sit here and talk about it.  Cause you’re not leaving this house until you do.", Gilbert said. "Dad, we’re not little kids anymore.  Something’s just can’t be worked out.", Matt said. "Hogwash.  You’re brothers.  Whatever it is, you can work it out.", Gilbert instructed.  "Not this time.", Matt huffed. Gilbert turned to look at Jeff, "You’ve been awfully quiet about this.  Maybe you should start talking." "Matt is just sticking his nose in where it doesn’t belong.", Jeff stated.  Matt could feel his face turning red.  "Is that true, Matthew?", Gilbert asked playing moderator to his two sons. "Someone has to take care of it.", Matt spouted. "It’s not you’re problem, Matt.", Jeff snapped. "No, it’s not.  And it’s not a problem.  You were part of this, it’s you’re responsibility and you should be a man about it.", Matt said.  "I don’t have to listen to this from you.", Jeff said standing up to leave. "Sit down!", Gilbert demanded. "I’m sorry, Dad, but I’m not gonna sit here and listen to him lecture me about how I should live my life.", Jeff said as he remained standing.   Gilbert turned to Matt, "You can’t tell him how to live.  He’s not like you.  It’s his life and he can live it the way he wants."   Matt was fuming, "Even if it means him running out on his responsibilities?"  Jeff became infuriated, "Shut up, Matt!" "Why?   Because you don’t want Dad to know?  Cause you know he’ll tell you that you’re wrong and to stand up and be a man?", Matt yelled now standing up to get in Jeff’s face. "I said shut up, Matt!", Jeff yelled. "Tell him, Jeff.  Why don’t you just tell him and let’s see what he thinks.", Matt blurted.  "Stop this now!!", Gilbert shouted, "Both of you SIT DOWN!"  Glaring at each other, the brother’s had a seat as they were told.  "Someone better tell me what’s going on and they better tell me now.", Gilbert demanded. "Tell him, Jeff.", Matt mocked. "Shut up.", Jeff snapped.  "Jeffrey!", Gilbert said causing Jeff to look helplessly at his father, "Tell me."  Jeff took a deep breath, "Cassidy is pregnant."   Gilbert sat there for a minute, "And?" "And she’s keeping it.", Jeff said.  "And?", Gilbert pried again. "And I don’t want her too and I don’t want to be a part of it."  Gilbert stared at his youngest son. "See.", Matt interjected.  Gilbert turned to Matt, "How do you fit into this?  This is Jeff’s situation, Jeff’s decision to make."   Matt couldn’t believe the words that he heard come out of his father’s mouth, "Because he did this too, ya know.  He needs to at least take responsibility for it.  This is Cassidy we’re talking about."  "Matthew, this is up to him.  It has nothing to do with you.  This is his to deal with.", Gilbert said. Matt was furious.  He stood up and looked at his father and then at his brother, "Well, maybe I’ll MAKE it mine to deal with."  And with that, he stormed out of the house and got into his car.  He didn’t know where he was going, and it didn’t matter, as long as it was away from there.              Last Chapter ..*.. Next Chapter ..*.. Chapter Index ..*.. Home