Though you didn't name which brother, my thoughts are that Don was the one that survived by the line ' his brother accuses him, with mock hurt that he never calls.' That hits me more of something Charlie would say. Anyway, your story was well written, the way you described a joyful moment in life, and then, suddenly, how it all changes.

"His chest feels empty, there's an inexplicable hole torn into his core that wasn't there before. " Oh, man. That's my favorite line.

You did an excellent job with this story. I'm betting it was Don who was shot, but I think you actually hightened the drama by not naming anyone.

Brilliant.

I'm a cockeyed optimist. I choose to believe that the brother, which I've dedeuced as Don,

is not fatally shot, only badly injured.

You told the story extremely well. Storyline could apply to either brother actually.