Eschew

Knock, knock, knock…

Knock, knock, knock…

            He could barely hear the knocks on the door; he was in a deep state of slumber. It was as if the knocks came from a faraway place. He struggled to open his eyes, yet curiosity took the best of him. People rarely visited him, and he wanted to know what was the reason behind the knocks on the door. He sat up, all his muscles ached due to lack of exercise. The stench of booze was all over the apartment, as soon as he stood up he fell right back on the couch. He grabbed the nearest bottle of water, and drank it all in one gulp. He took a breath, and lifted himself up. Step by step, he walked to the door, in fear of losing his balance and falling to the ground. He unlatched the lock, and opened the door. On his door mat, he found a letter with neat handwriting, he picked it up and read the cover. It said,

To Logan Brown,

From Matt Brown,

He walked back to his couch with a hundred thousand thoughts clashing in his head. Why would my brother send me a letter? Why now? Why not earlier? What does it contain within it? Are my parents fine? Did any of them fall ill? The thoughts numbed him. He sat down and took a deep breath. He opened the letter with shaky hands, thinking of the worst.

Dear Logan,

There comes a time in every person’s life where they cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel, a time of complete darkness. When you broke down to the weight of reality, I wanted to be there for you, to support you, to be the shoulder you cry on and to be the light at the end of your tunnel. But what did you do? Shun me.

As always, you chose your friends over me, your family; and no circumstances whatever they might be will stand in the way of me helping you get back on your feet. You are blind with the love you have for your friends, because you cannot see nor appreciate the things I have done for you, the things I will do for you and the things I am willing to do for you. You keep pushing me away just like magnetic north poles; the closer I get to you, the further you go.

I don’t know when the veil on your eyes will finally be lifted off, but I hope it comes off before I’m six feet under. Before it’s too late for your apologies and tears; because, at the time, you’ll finally realize the sacrifices I have done for you.

Your brother,
Matt Brown.

And as he read the letter, tears flooded his eyes. For the first time in a very long time, he picked up the phone and dialed the number etched into his brain, his eldest brother's.
"Hello, who's this?"
"Matt, it's me, Logan.... I need your help and guidance. I am willing to change."

Eschew, to abstain or keep away from; shun.