What can a big brother do

Emmett was doing his best these days to let go of his siblings, Hannah and Ellis, and let them find their own way in the world. Granted, he probably had held them hostage long enough with the family business. Still, he had a funeral home to run.

And he did count on Alma for a lot, even if he hadn't told her so.

Yes, it was true, he knew he was a bit gruff around the edges, and yet he saw a lot of himself in Alma, too.

He let her go(there, in his livingroom) and she balanced on her feet as if she might be a Ninja that would turn on him, with a high kick in the throat. Instead, she swelled a frown and looked at him with both fists tight. She pushed her way forward, but he held on to her shoulders and sighed, hoping she would calm down.

"He's your little brother, what did he do..this time?" He looked her in the eye. Perhaps, he looked at her too harshly, because she began to cry. He hugged her then, letting her fall apart..as if that was what she'd wanted to do, all along, but that would not be the strong Alma that he knew.

"It can't be that bad." He consoled her with a calm pat on her back. But she only cried more as if nothing would suffice.

"I don't want to go home." She mumbled into his chest.

"Why? But..you have the whole place to yourself." Emmett would be in bliss to have his own place, but this was the only home he'd ever known, and he was too cheap to think about finding an apartment. After all, this was all he knew.

She shook her head, no.

Dora was there.

"Dora?" Emmett winced, keeping her at arms length then. "Who's Dora?"

Alma sniffed back tears, but broke down once more.