McKenzie: Finding Purpose
The Parked Cabbie was not the most popular restaurant on the streets of Santa Fe. But they did embrace an average crowd each day. Painted chocolate brown and shaped like an old cab, the restaurant was indeed a fascinating marvel for children. But not for the old gentlemen, especially not for someone who leads a secretive life like McKenzie. He would never have chosen this spot for himself, but the naughty games of time left him with no other choice. And this time, the playful game was designed by none other than someone of his bloodline, to be more precise, his devilish elder brother.
Edward McKenzie was the eldest of the two charming children the McKenzies were blessed to have. They were proud parents, raising the two boys in their best ways feasible: gaining them the best education they could afford, feeding the kids with everything desired. They were truly remarkable in their parenthood. But the untimely demise of their father and the trauma it delivered to their mother- the two excellent children lost their ways in their respective routes. Edward climbed off the grave circumstances by immersing himself in obtaining one of the most financially secure jobs, while David chose quite the contrary. The path he picked was indeed economically safe, but analysing the other factors, it was not the safest career.
David’s thoughts were scattered away with a piercing nudge on his shoulders, which made him utter a small scream in anguish. He did not have to look back to identify who it was; he had undergone the same enough and more during his miserable childhood. Edward took the opposite couch and sat back as if he owned this place; he was always like that. Every time, every spot, he behaved as if he was the show-maker, the all-in-one, the quirky little showoff, who, surprisingly, everyone loved. David could not stand him when he was just sixteen, nor could he stand him now being in his sixties.
“Brother-mine,” Edward called him, taunting evident in his voice. “You look old.” David despised every single second of his life since he received the unwelcome call, and now, the amount of resentment was rising steadily upon each word uttered by his dear brother. He never wanted to react, but he had no other alternative to stop this chattering machine. “I am running sixty-three. I am supposed to look old.”
Edward smirked at the comment. He was enjoying, savouring every single moment. It had been so long since they both came together, and there never came across a single person in Edward’s life who he loved to tease as much as his little brother. It did not matter that they were both seniors now, and the days of their youth long behind them; Edward just loved to do so. “Are those wrinkles?” He began reaching closer and examining David’s face. The annoyance explicit in his face only encouraged Edward to do more and more.
“Why did you bring me here?” David revealed his eagerness to get done with the meeting. Edward, though his expressions transformed for a moment, answered his inquiry with a consistent charisma. “Well, Mother needs her younger son home for Christmas. Needs her younger son!” Edward shrugged his shoulders- he appeared unpleasant over his mother’s still-tenacious fondness towards David. It had been nearly five years since David ever came home, and that surprising visit was so abrupt and was not at all out of love for his family, but only for collecting some old junk.
David reflected for a moment and gazed out of the window. “You know I can’t do that, right?” The elder one just gasped at his reply and looked straight into his eyes. “Who? Me? Oh no, I don’t.” His distress was evident from his tone. “Davie, look at me. She has been through a lot. And let me be totally honest with you, I don’t think she will be home next Christmas.” David attempted to interrupt his brother’s words, but he could not obtain a valid argument. “No, let me finish. You have to come home. You are coming home. I know you have your petty reasons, but you very well know that I am way beyond whatever you call your dangerous line of trade. You are coming home. Do you understand?”
David knew very well that his brother was not asking him a question and that his opinions did not matter. He quietly lowered his head and nodded, seeking excuses in every corner of his mind. Suddenly, David was taken aback by a loud noise of shattering glass. His hands sought for his gun in reflex, but he stopped dead when he saw his brother. Edward was still in shock, his palms clutched against his chest to prevent the blood flow, he grappled for breath, his silver hair strayed across his forehead. The gunshot was abrupt, and David could not deduce who could have fired it. His senses were deteriorating, his brother was, he did not want to think about it.
“Eddie, Eddie, look at me. You are okay. You are fine.” David sat beside his elder brother, trying to convince him of something they both knew was wrong. Edward laughed at his younger brother despite the severe pain he was going through. “Seriously?” He gave out a small chuckle, “You are still a horrible liar, Davie.” David’s eyes were still seeking the person who did this to him. Whoever it was, David had no intentions of granting them leave. But his thoughts were again interrupted by his whimsical brother. “You are not going to look after me even now?” Edward began coughing blood and losing his functions; he collapsed on his younger one’s thighs. “I should have chosen my last words earlier. What do I do now?” He laughed and gazed straight into David’s eyes.
“Shut up, alright. Just stop talking. We will arrange an ambulance. We will take you to the hospital. You are not going anywhere. You are not leaving me now.” David tasted his tears against his face after a long time. “Are you crying? I thought you were beyond all that, brother-mine.” Edward resumed teasing his little brother though he realised his last minutes were not so far. After a moment of silence, he spoke again. “Go home for Christmas, Davie. Quit all this action. You are old.” Edward pushed aside in agony, his teeth clenched and his legs stretched. “Just tell her, I am on a date.” David could not restrain himself from giving out a peal of laughter, though his heart was crumbling inside of him. So many things left to say, so many.
But Edward no longer listened-his eyes came to a still focused to some point faraway, his fists no longer clenched, he was gone. David could not flinch. He merely sat there, staring into his vacant eyes. He had seen enough and more deaths before, but this felt different.
David had only one purpose anymore. He had taken many lives before-strangers, innocent ones, businessmen, drug dealers, but not this time. This time, David had a better reason. He had to avenge his brother. He had to avenge his family. He had to misremember his regrets by removing every element that reminded him of them. And then, he had to go home for Christmas.
*****
Oh, my God! It feels so good! This story was the last post I was working on when I left this place. And after a long, long time, I finally finished it. But I am pretty sure the challenge is way beyond over XD Anyway, here we go. And, special thanks to @MariAntoinette, who inspired me to create this wonderful character. Thank you so much!!!! And as always, thanks to each one of you, who is the very reason I am writing at all. Lots of love <3