Just Look Around

"I built this house here because Javier wanted it," whispered Ed.

Ruby's throat tightened at the sound of Ed's raspy voice. But Ruby wouldn't speak. Ed just wanted to talk.

"I'm here now because I wanted to protect Javier. I had to make him happy. So now, what should I do?"

Ruby's tears welled up. She understands a little more now. Ed wasn't just close to his brother—he loved him deeply, and then he unconsciously built his life around Javier's world. Ed didn't want to grieve and let go, but he didn't know what to do because the foundation of his world had disappeared. He felt so empty because his primary reason for moving forward was no longer there.

"My mother… She died after entrusting Javier to me. She requested that I take care of him. I have done that—but what now?"

Ruby wiped her tears as quickly as possible so they wouldn't fall on Ed, but it was difficult. The story was heartbreaking. Ruby knew that Ed's parents had died,