Zac sat silently on that thirteenth step. His hand caressed the wood almost lovingly, as if it were a precious sentiment, and not the horrid reminder that it was.
The silence in the house was comforting yet alarming at the same time. His ears seemed so sensitive now, and kept picking up even the slightest noises.
"You know if you're going to just stand there, at least talk or something, Ike." Zac muttered bitterly.
The sigh he heard was soft, but he still picked it up. "Didn't know if you knew it was me." Isaac said taking a seat next to him on the same step.
Zac shrugged his shoulders; "I've learned a few tricks at Seymour." He replied carelessly.
Isaac took in a deep breath; this was harder than he thought it would be, and that wasn't saying much! "Look Zac," He started out carefully.
"No, Ike." He cut in quickly. "I know what you're going to say."
Zac's voice was soft now and barely audible, he had his own guilt on his shoulders now.
"They teach you that trick too at Seymour?" Isaac asked curiously, a humorless laugh echoing around them.
A wry smile stretched out on Zac's lips and he bobbed his head up and down. "Yeah." He murmured.
The silence around them thickened and became heavy and he squirmed uncomfortably, but didn't want to be the first to break.
"It wasn't your fault that I'm blind." Zac said sighing loudly, shattering the tension between them.
Isaac shook his head roughly; "It was my rollerblade on the steps." He admitted quietly, "Mom told me to put it up, and I thought I did, evidently I didn't."
He felt the burning lump in his throat and swallowed it, "And you paid for it." He said hoarsely. "You paid for my thoughtlessness."
Zac sat motionless for a moment, "No, Ike."
But Isaac nodded his head, "Yes."
Instantly, Zac was standing. "No." He said firmly, and Isaac hung his head in shame.
"It's what I did, Zac." He answered.
"Ike, I was messing with your rollerblade." Zac confessed meekly. "I heard mom complaining to you about them, and when I saw you put them away, like the dutiful brother you are," He added smirking. "I grabbed it and returned it to where it was."
Isaac was staring up at him in awe. The sleepless nights, the guilt, the undeniable weight of regret and responsibility had been lifted off his shoulders. He was free of it, but then why did he feel so bad about it?
"Zac?" He questioned before he could walk away, "Are you telling me the truth?"
He didn't answer, and he got frustrated, "Zac!" He shouted aggravated, "I have to know!"
Slowly Zac swallowed, his mouth suddenly bone dry. "I did it, Ike. I brought this all on myself. Not you." He assured, then he left. Quickly, and silently. Not wanting to draw the conversation out more.
But Isaac still sat there. Glued to that step. His mind was working overtime on the news that Zac had just handed him. He couldn't believe it, he didn't want. Zac had to have said it only to ease his mind…
Getting up slowly, Isaac returned to his room. Taylor and Zac were in there as well, but were doing their separate things.
Finding a comfortable spot on his bed, Isaac pulled out his notebook, and started tapping his pen against it. He noticed that Zac was mimicking it with his fingers against his plastic cup, and then Taylor started tapping on their desk.
"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy, when skies are grey. You'll never know dear how much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away." Mackie sang loudly, popping his head in the doorway.
"Dinner time!" He announced, grinning at his brothers.
Zac laughed, and held his hand out to his little brother, "Come on, Mack," He said smiling, "Lead the way."
Eagerly Mackie grabbed Zac's arm and started leading him out into the hallway and down the stairs.
"You okay, Ike?" Taylor asked worriedly, noticing Isaac's stony look and unusual silence.
Isaac looked up at him for a moment, "I think a weight has been lifted off my shoulders," He stated. "But I feel as if a heavier one has taken its place."
He walked out before Taylor could comment; leaving him confused in their bedroom.
