Fight the Power

Sure thing, I can do that. Take care of yourself, love.

Get out of here before you try to kiss me and I have to break your jaw.

Just…give me a call if you need anything. And for… when you’re ready. I’ll be waiting for your number.

Yeah, man. Oh, and can you do me a favor? Tell Nae I’m sorry. You’ll tell me to call her myself, but... You know how we are. It’s less likely to turn into something worse if you say it. I can admit I was an ass, but I still have some choice words for her that she’d be unwilling to hear.

Sorry, am I still talking to JR York?

Shut up, man, before I kick your ass.

I get that.

And don’t worry about me, mate. I’m doing my part, staying in doors and all that. You should take care of yourself too. Don’t be reckless and go out trying to check on Lee or Ang or anyone. Just stay safe. I might be mad at you, but I don’t know what any of us would do if you got sick.

I truly, deeply am sorry, JR. I never… Doesn’t matter. I did. And I’d have a hard time forgiving me too.

Nah, you wouldn’t. You’d let it go after a good cry and move along. I envy that. But that ain’t me.

Is that it then? Are we done? ‘Cause I don’t think I can ever give up on you, Jay. I’d never forgive myself.

I don’t know, Tom. Right now, I... I need space. You’ve literally never given me any sort of slack since I moved here and these last few months without you standing over me... I’ve been sorting my shit out. I want to keep doing that. And I never will if you’re there trying to take the reins for me or if I feel sick just at the sight of you. I need you to stay away for a bit.

I–I–I don’t know what to say to that.

There’s literally fucking nothing for you to try to say.

I tried to find you! I did! I called your phone a thousand times! Marcus eventually let me know you were alright and what more was I supposed to do after that? I had to make sure Angie was alright. I was responsible for her.

What does that mean?

You had a responsibility to me, Tom! To me! I don’t want to take away from Angie, but I’m your brother, Thomas. I’m your blood. The one who crossed an ocean to be with you. Who was your both your best man and walked you through a divorce. The first person to hold your daughter after you and Naomi. The one who would run interference when Dad was swinging at you or Mum. I lost my son, Tom. Someone I never thought I’d have. I lost him and I didn’t even get to see him properly. And you threw me into the streets after letting your ex talk down on me... You had a responsibility to me, man, and you failed.

I understand. But does that mean I’ll never have my brother again?

Have your brot– Are you fucking kidding me? Your brother? Where was that familial bond you love to go on about while I wandered the streets doing my best not to bloody murder somebody? Where was my brother when I, impressively I might add, didn’t get blackout drunk and wake up with blood on my knuckles? Where was the saint Tom York when Marcus dragged my ass onto my couch after I’d gone so numb I couldn’t feel my legs anymore?

Jay, I–I fucked up. I know I did. I’m saying it right here. In front of you. Owning it. I shouldn’t have handled it like that. But we were all feeling so many things and Angie was in an actual compromised position health wise and I just had to go with my instincts.

It was selfish and shitty and I’m sorry. Desperately. I want to try and fix it.

That’s one of the reasons I had to. Needed to check and see if you had everything you needed. That you were taking this seriously.

Can we talk about it?

Talk about what? How you threw me out of hospital just moments after my son died? Naw.

You forget I have a key.

Oi, love. Open up. It’s time we get past this.

Got the wrong door, mate. Ain’t no one you can call love here.

Fuck everyone else, I got first dibs right now.

How are you now?

I... don’t know. I’m kind of numb to it all right now. You?