A Sequel to 'Strong Enough' based on the alternate ending of that story

Chapter 8

Jay couldn't help but laugh, "That's a valid point" he was pleased when he saw the slightest hint of smile on her face, "come on just try one, you might like them"

She huffed, "Fine!" She broke a piece off and popped it in her mouth.

Jay waited patiently with bated breath, "and?"

"S'alright, Mommy's are better though" she said as she pushed a nugget into the puddle of ketchup, "Uncle Jay?"

"Yea?"

"Will Adam get better?" She asked, her eyes begging Jay for answers.

Jay rubbed his chin, "I hope so, I know the doctors are trying their best, and Adam is doing all he can to get better"

She picked a french fry up, pointing it at Jay, "I miss him and my mommy and daddy. I don't like that he's sick"

Jay pulled her into his lap, "Nobody does baby, nobody does"

Josh shook his head, disappointed to find his house guest still on the couch. He had to wonder at one time he had shown up.

It was the third night in a row.

He kicked at the couch, "Adam!"

Adam turned slightly, bringing his hand to his face, "Adam, wake up!" Josh commanded. He knew his brother was slipping further and further away, distancing himself from all that he cherished.

It had started with a simple 'guys night out' just to get Adam out of the hospital and maybe get him to have a good time. Maybe even laugh.

It was clear now, that it was just the beginning of him drowning his sorrows in alcohol

"Damn it Adam wake up!" Josh yelled, startling Cory who was at the table eating an early lunch.

"Dad?"

"It's alright Cory, finish eating and get started on your chores" he told his son.

"He came in real late dad, it's was nearly 4. Matt Casey brought him home this time" Cory said the sound of Matt's truck waking him up, "little Adam's gonna get better, right dad?"

"Of course he is Cory, don't worry" Josh told him, watching as Adam sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

Cory ducked out knowing what was to come, it had become a common occurrence lately.

Adam spotted, "You don't say hello anymore kid?" He asked Cory.

"Hey Uncle Adam" he replied sheepishly wanting to get outside as quick as possible.

Adam just rolled his eyes at his nephew as he stood up, "Well, let me have it" he egged his brother on, "tell me how I'm being a selfish bastard, go on. I know it's killing you" he pulled the shirt over his head and ran his hand through his hair.

Josh shook his head, "Why're you doing this to yourself? Huh? It's not your fault, you don't need to punish yourself" he reached out to touch him.

Adam yanked his arm away from his brother, "Fuck off with your pyscho babble shit, I would make an appointment if you I wanted your expert opinion"

Josh sat down, he knew his brother needed someone to tell it like it was, to call him out on his recent behavior.

"Adam, you're being a selfish son of a bitch. You know that right?" He braced himself for the fury that would be headed his way. He didn't give a shit about Adam's feelings anymore, the only one who mattered was little Adam and he deserved better.

"Fuck you Josh" Adam huffed as he grabbed a beer from the fridge.

"Don't drink that" Josh grabbed at the bottle, he may have been the older brother but Adam was bigger and stronger.

Adam pushed him back, "Don't Josh!"

"Or what?" Josh knew he was poking a hornets nest.

Cory was outside attempting to practice his jump shot when he could hear them arguing, it slowly building into a crescendo he dropped the ball and rushed inside.

"Dad! Stop it, please!" He yelled as he watched his father and uncle come to blows, a end table toppled, picture frames broken and on the floor.

"Uncle Adam, STOP IT! You're hurting my dad" Cory begged pulling at his uncles arm in a futile attempt to stop them from fighting.

Amanda came rushing in, groceries in her arms, "Cory go outside now!" She yelled, reaching for Adam's free hand.

"Adam knock it off, Kim needs you, it's little Adam!"

It was as if a switch had been flipped, Adam dropped his hold on his brother, his head whipping around, "What did you say?" He asked as he wiped the blood from his lip with his sleeve.

Amanda helped Josh up, his nose obviously broken and a cut along his eyebrow, "Kim called me looking for you" he could hear the anger in her voice, "somethings happened, she needs you" she said softly watching as his features his softened and what he had done had hit him.

"Shit, Josh" he reached out to his brother, "I'm sorry....I don't know what the hell I'm doing" he crouched down, burying his hands in his face.

Josh kneeled in front of him, "Let's go, I'll drive you" the faint smell of alcohol still on his brother's breath.

"I'm sorry Amanda, really I am" Adam whispered as they left.

"I'm not the one you need to apologize to" she told him.

She couldn't help but wonder where he was, Amanda said she would tell him but that had been nearly an hour ago.

"Kim?" Adam called out, spotting her hunched over in a chair outside their son's room, "Baby, I'm sorry, where's Adam"

She stood up, she clutched his shirt in her hands, "You should have been here! Damn it Adam" she reached up and slapped him.

He ignored the sting her slap had left behind, and pulled her into his arms, "I know, I'm sorry" he whispered as he ran his hands down her back, "where's Adam, what happened?"

---Note--

Next update will be in a few days.

Thanks for reading, love reading your thoughts on this.