A Brother's Vow

Chapter 1

The Benson family sat at dinner like every night. Even though not all of them lived in the same house, they had not truly left the nest. Janet enjoyed the fact that her children came together for their meals even though they had their own families. Paul and Janet Bensons had five boys: Keith, Hunter, Teddy, Randall, and Brian. The last two were twins. She and her husband Paul had raised a close-knit family. All their children were at the table except for one, Randall. 

This particular night was special. Brian had finally proposed to his longtime girlfriend Isabella and she had accepted. Brian had a very subdued personality and was a total momma’s boy. This step had taken years. Janet really liked Isabella and was ready to welcome her into the family.

So have you guys decided on a date? Janet pretended to ask casually. Isabella looked at Brian and he looked back at her without responding.

I don’t think they’re ready to take the plunge, joked Hunter.

It’s not that we’re not ready, Hunter, we just want to do things right. I want to give Isabella the wedding of her dreams and that takes money. Not everyone likes a drive-through wedding like you did. Brian responded defensively.

Hunter was married to Stephanie. They had fallen in love quick and hard, but had wanted to take things slow and had a long, drawn-out courtship. The family had thought that they were never going to get married, but one day out of the blue they had decided to do a quick ceremony at the Justice of the Peace and had been together ever since. Hunter and Stephanie had three girls: Melissa, Michelle, and Marissa.

Why are you saving money? Paying for the wedding is the bride’s job. All you have to worry about is the honeymoon and her ring, Hunter replied, confused.

Janet saw her soon-to-be-daughter-in-law lower her face in shame and jumped into the conversation. Actually, Hunter, I’m paying for this wedding. 

Janet smiled at Isabella, who was getting teary-eyed. No shame in that, my dear. See, God gave me boys and I never had a chance to plan a wedding for any of them because, like Hunter said, usually the bride takes care of everything, but God sent you to me so that I could have the experience. I certainly didn’t get to do it for my wedding. We had so little when Paul and I got married.

It’s true, Brian admitted. Mom and dad just got out of high school. All they had was a little orange orchard dad’s grandparents left them.

Mom’s doctor said she couldn’t have children, Stephanie chimed in. So she decided to go to school to become a business administrator to have something to her days.

Hunter grinned. The kids never got tired of sharing the family legacy. Dad, on the other hand, decided to work the land, selling the produce from the farm to local businesses. After a few years, Mom graduated and they decided to start an orange juice business.

Keith took up the story next. In those days there were pretty much only the big brands of orange juice on the market, and even though it was a tough competition, they were willing to try to make their mark in the world .

Teddy spoke up. Besides, God proved the doctor wrong, as you can see. Mom and dad had five sons to provide for, and we all were there to help with the oranges, at least while we were kids. Teddy was studying for the ministry, while his brothers still worked in different parts of the juice business.

Paul nodded. We wanted to make this work, so we could give our children everything we didn’t have growing up.

But, Mom, why do we have to pay for Brian’s wedding? Hunter insisted.

Not us Hunter, me. I will be paying for it. Isabella doesn’t have much family and just like Brian, I want her to have what she wants. If you and Stephanie would have given me the chance I would have paid for yours too. Besides, since when do I have to give you an explanation for what I do with my money, Mr. Nosy Hunter?

Mom, you don’t have to do that. I told you I was going to take care of it. Brian said, embarrassed and trying to put the brakes on his mother’s sometimes too-grand good intentions.

Son, this is my decision. Give this old woman some pleasure. Besides, you are not even going to be involved in half of these things. Like your knuckleheaded brother pointed out, this is more of a women thing. Therefore, if Isabella allows me, I will help with everything. Janet looked at Isabella, whose face remained buried in her hands from embarrassment.

That would be a lot of fun. When can we start the planning? Susan, Keith’s wife, excitedly jumped into the conversation.

Yes, I want to help too. Stephanie put in.

Everyone looked at Lulu. Lulu was the family nickname for Teddy’s wife Kristen. She and the family had a contentious relationship. She came from old money and had been a spoiled only child, always treated like a princess at home,. Though she was a good woman, the way she perceived the world was different. When she and Teddy had met, she had resisted the idea that he was studying to be a pastor. Just because she was a Christian didn’t mean she understood this handsome man giving his life to the ministry when his family had a successful business. But she conceded that a minister was still a sort of professional, so being his wife would give her status. But, though the Bensons were believers, they all had their own little rough edges and Kristen was very vocal about their failure to be perfect.

Due to her explosive reactions to certain things, the other women called her loo-loo behind her back. The three young nieces, not knowing what it meant, thought that this was Kristen’s name and started calling her Aunt Lulu. When Kristen heard that, her relationship with the family deteriorated even more. She was deeply offended, but over the years she had been forced to accept her new name. Even her husband called her Lulu from time to time.

Kristen had continued to eat her meal in the midst of all this wedding talk. She had two reactions to family matters – arguing or ignoring – and she had been ignoring this time.

Embarrassed, Teddy added, Kristen loves weddings. I’m sure she’ll help.

Lulu glanced at Teddy as if she just woke up and looked around, finding all eyes on her. She allowed a big sigh out of her lips and said, Sure.

While the women took over the table conversation throwing out ideas of the things they wanted to do for about the wedding, Randall staggered into the house. He was obviously drunk and in the company of his on-and-off but steadiest girlfriend Lucia, who was not as far gone as he was, but inebriated as well.

Ah, it is beautiful to see my beloved family. Randall, said stumbling towards the dining room.

Don’t you think it’s a little early to be drunk? Keith scowled.

Never too early to avoid being a stick in the mud like you. Randall pulled  Lucia away.

This is ridiculous, Janet! How do you allow this in your house? Lulu shoved her chair back and stalked away from the dinner table. Teddy followed his wife out of the house after hesitating a moment. They had their own place, but still joined the rest of the family for meals.

Keith and Susan both got up from the table before Janet could do so. As per the routine, Susan would convince Lucia to stay in their guestroom, which Lucia loved because it had a private bathroom with a garden tub; while Keith would drag Randall to his bedroom. Almost every time Randall arrived home from a trip, he would arrive drunk and loud. Keith and Susan usually took care of it to try to spare Keith’s mother the pain of dealing with the mess. Still, no one could spare her the broken heart.

Randall was the rebel in the family. He had never cared for schooling but was extremely smart and successful as the company’s sales representative. Once he became an adult he stopped going to church. He was the only one who drank and partied. His brothers considered him the black sheep of the family.

Randall was single and had no interest in any commitments. He had many women, but he kept going back to Lucia. She was the only one that made him feel good about himself and the only one he would listen to. Lucia was a model, and having a trophy girlfriend was something that excited Randall.  He also had the opportunity to be photographed in the celebrity magazines and attend more than one red carpet event with her on his arm. With his charm he was almost a celebrity himself, which helped him promote his business endeavors more efficiently. But the magazines didn’t just talk about how charming he was or his and Lucia’s very troubled relationship. There were comments about his bad behaviors, about his drinking problem and womanizing tendencies, which affected the image that the family wanted to project for their business.

On more than one occasion his parents had tried to reason with him, but nothing seemed to make him grasp a different outlook on life. This time Paul decided to go with Keith. He wanted to talk to his son, but looking at his current state he decided his words would fall on drunken, deaf ears. Randall yelled and struggled more than usual. It took both men to get him up the stairs. Paul helped Keith with the undressing and they pulled the covers over him, thankful that by this time he had passed out.

Paul stood next to the bed and looked down at his son. What did I do wrong with this one? He had four other sons and all of them were more or less flying right. He couldn’t understand why Randall had decided to live such a wild lifestyle. It was not as if they had treated any of the boys differently. Each parent had set aside time to spend with each boy. They paid attention to their weaknesses and strengths. They offered support and encouragement, but nothing had mattered in Randall’s outcome.

Paul heard a noise at the door that snapped him out of his thoughts; it was Janet. She joined her husband by throwing her arm around his waist. They both looked at Randall like they had at the nursery when he was born.

He was always different, Janet reminisced. Looking at her husband she continued, Do you remember that he was supposed to be baby B, but he decided to come out first? Both of them chuckled at the memory of the twin’s birth.

Janet continued reminiscing. He was the first one to walk and talk.

Yes, and then we had to go to his school because he wouldn’t shut up in class, Paul remembered.

I think he’s just too smart for his own good. Janet tried to justify.

C’mon, love, let’s go. Paul directed his wife out of Randall’s room.

Janet went downstairs and found the ladies still talking about the upcoming wedding. When they saw Janet coming down the stairs, they noticed the sadness in her face and became quiet. Janet noticed the silence and decided to join the conversation to try to hide the way she felt.

So Isabella, how many guests are you going to have? I need your guest list soon so that we can start the arrangements.

I’m sorry Mrs. Benson, I will not have any guests coming to the wedding, she said embarrassed again.

What about your mother? I know you have not talked to her in a while but this is your wedding. I don’t think she would want to miss this for the world. Janet stated with a hopeful tone.

I called her the other day to tell her about the engagement and she said she was not going to come. She said I was not her daughter anymore, that I had abandoned the family when I chose my career over helping her with my siblings; therefore I had made my decision. But I also know she feels embarrassed; my family has no money for wedding clothes. Tears began to fill Isabella’s eyes again.

Janet placed her arms around Isabella. I don’t want you sad or concerned about anything. This is going to be a happy occasion. I promise.

Janet paused, thinking, but quickly opened her eyes. Well ladies I almost forgot to tell you what I did as soon as I knew Teddy and Isabella were getting engaged. I talked to designer John Sebastian and he wants to do all the dresses. The ladies started screeching. John Sebastian was an exclusive wedding attire designer. Janet continued, He already sent me some sketches. Susan, why don’t you take everyone to the office and download them from my computer? That way you will have an idea of what to ask about when you go to his studio tomorrow.

Like little school girls they went running to see the dresses. In the meantime, Janet went to her room. She grabbed her Bible from the end table and sat on a leather vintage chaise that she had next to the window. It was her favorite place to read.

Paul entered the room, gazed at his wife, and asked, Are you ok?

Yes, I’m just worried about the twins. Everything went so well with the other kids. These two are going to be the end of me, Janet sighed.

Well, Brian is just as peaceful as the other ones.

Yes, but he’s suffering a lot with Isabella’s issues. I know it’s not her fault that her family is filled with knuckleheads, but I just don’t like to see my boy sad.  And then there’s Randall...

I’m going to have a talk with him tomorrow. Paul’s face turned very serious.

Do you really think that’s going to make a difference? I have prayed and prayed for that boy and nothing seems to change. He gets worse every time he goes out of town. I can’t even blame Lucia for it. She does go with him in some of his escapades but the reality is that he’s a lot worse when he’s alone, Janet reflected.

There’s nobody to blame but himself, Paul shouted but immediately lowered his voice and continued in a somber tone. I just don’t know what went wrong. Maybe I didn’t give him enough attention.

Janet got up from the chair and hugged her husband. Don’t blame yourself. You gave all of them the same amount of attention and love. You are a good father. Randall is just Randall.

Chapter 2

The elder Bensons’ house was the center of this family. Not only did some of the children still lived there, as the house was part of the acres of orange groves that supported the business, but the women worked from a custom-made office attached to the house. Although they had a company headquarters in the city, most of the real work was done at home.

Keith had built a small house on the family property but Susan rarely used its kitchen. They almost always came to the main house to have their meals with his parents.  Hunter and Teddy cherished their privacy and had left their parent’s house when they got married, but didn’t live too far away. They both had bought their properties in front of their parents’ property and built their houses practically across the street. Just like Keith, they came to the main house for all their meals.

The twins, who were single, still lived at home. Well, Randall’s address was at the Benson’s home.  He really lived wherever he crashed at night. Due to his very charming personality, especially with the ladies, he was leading the sales department for the family business and with great success.  He loved his job, not only because it was informal, but because it allowed him to entertain business partners, travel and be in and out of his house. 

The next morning everyone gathered for breakfast as usual, except Randall. After they finished eating, the ladies left to get measured for their dresses. Lucia had gone with them. Isabella had decided to make her a bridesmaid since she was almost part of the family. She didn’t want Lucia to feel excluded.

The guys had returned to work and Janet was in her office making some phone calls. She heard the creaking of the door, but nobody came in. She continued her conversation, but she felt the presence of someone looking at her. She finally ended her phone call and went to the door. Randall leaned against the wall.

Hey, Janet approached him with a smile.

I have a headache from hell, Randall said while holding his hand to his forehead.

I can imagine, Janet responded, unable to resist mocking him a little.

Are you angry with me? he looked a little ashamed.

Why do you ask?

Because dad woke me up with a litany this morning, he scoffed.

We’re both worried about you Randall. She lowered her head with sadness, but then, looking her son in the eye, she asked, Why are you drinking all the time? What’s going on?

Mom, there’s nothing going on. I just like to party and have fun. Everyone in this house is so serious, it bores me, Randall responded, annoyed.

I see. Her face showed her sadness and frustration.

You didn’t answer my question. Mom, are you angry with me? Randall insisted.

No baby, I’m not. I’m just very worried about what can happen to you

Mom, I promise I’m going to tone it down. I love you and I hate to see you sad. I’ll go with you to church tomorrow and everything. How’s that? Randall pretended to be excited.

You should go to church for God, sweetheart, not because of me, but I guess I’ll take what I can get. Janet embraced her son. They walked outside of her office toward the living room. Janet stopped by the bathroom and got him some aspirin for his headache. After he took the pills, she sat in the living room and Randall laid his head in his mother’s lap. She played with his hair until he fell asleep.

On the other side of town the ladies were trying on dresses for the wedding. Isabella was slim so finding a nice dress was not going to be a problem. She had chosen a very light blue color for her bridesmaids. The dresses had a mermaid bodice with layers of lace at the bottom. Those ladies looked like models, so the style looked great on all of them.

After a few hours, Keith came home for lunch. He saw his brother sleeping on his mother’s lap and became annoyed.

This is part of the problem. You spoil him too much, Keith shouted at his mother.

Don’t be like that, Keith. You know that if you wanted to I would hold you too. Janet hated defending the right to cuddle her son.

Mom, I don’t get drunk and embarrass the family on television or punch waiters at a restaurant, Keith responded.

Keith’s shouting woke Randall and he slowly turned around to see Keith right over him. Punching is a good idea sometimes; I should punch you now for waking me up, hater! Randall was clearly only half-joking.

Hater, ha! What can I possibly hate about your life?

Just the fact that I have a different woman every night and you are stuck with one, Randall sneered.

Well, at least you know that when you get married you’re supposed to stick to one. That’s actually impressive. At least you have some morals; I didn’t know you had any. Keith snapped back. Randall jumped off the sofa and pushed Keith.

Janet quickly got between of her sons. Boys, please!

If mom wasn’t here I would show you what a real man is, Keith yelled over his mother. Randall reached around his mother and pushed Keith. Really? Let’s go somewhere else. I would love to see what you got. Randall pushed Keith a third time.

Keith moved away from his mother and punched his brother in the eye, knocking him down to the floor. Randall pulled him down and they both began to roll around the floor. Janet started screaming for help, but only the maids came out, and they didn’t dare try to break up the fight. The men kept rolling around on the floor, punching each other every place they could. Randall saw an opportunity and pushed his brother back against the coffee table. He pushed with such force that Keith hit his head. Keith felt something warm and wet. He ran his hand through his hair and saw blood on his fingers. You bastard! Keith shouted as he threw another punch at Randall’s face.

After ten minutes, Hunter ran into the room, headed toward the noise. He had heard rumbling noises