Three days later, Frank and Joe walked along the path in the cemetery in companionable silence. The pace was slow as Joe had just been released from the hospital and was still hurting, but today was Iola's birthday and he would not miss it.

The grey clouds of December held just a hint of snow, and the bright yellow roses grasped tightly in Joe's good hand were the only hint of color in the cemetery. Frank held back as they approached Iola's grave. Joe knelt down and leaned the roses against the headstone and silent tears slipped down his cheek.

After a few minutes in silence, Frank came forward and held out his hand. He pulled Joe gently to his feet and wrapped his arm around his shoulder.

"It's cold Joe and we need to get you home before Mom starts to worry. She wasn't really ready to let you out of her sight yet," Frank said as he slowly steered Joe up the path.

As they climbed back in the van, Joe looked at Frank and said, "Thank you for being honest with me about Iola when I couldn't remember. It scared me to have forgotten so much time, but you were there for me…You're always there for me."

"Joe, you'd do the same for me," Frank stated simply as he pulled his brother into a gentle hug.

Frank started the van and drove towards home lost in thought. Joe finally broke the silence. "It is such a relief to finally remember…There is one thing I don't remember though, as he glanced down at the dark blue sling holding his arm. How did I end up with a florescent orange replacement cast?"

Frank just smiled.

The End