Alan, my brother, was dying, and I was stuck in traffic. Four years prior he had been healed of cancer, but now it was back and attacking with a tremendous ferocity.
We had accepted the fact that we might lose him, and he was so accepting of where he must go. It wasn't worrying about his feeling secure about dying that was causing me to race to the hospital.
The Schlatter guys had been close since all four of us had arrived on this planet but this closeness was guarded by a silent code. There was nothing we would not do for each other - except be serious.
We were "manly men," and no sentiment was to pass between us. We did have individual tender moments with Mom, but that only after we were sure that the other three weren't within sight or earshot.
But Alan and I had had one special moment years ago. He had just returned from his stint in the navy and as older brothers are prone to do, he was attempting to give me some advice.
"Why don't you just shut up," I said. "I don't care what you think."
"That's a shame, Jack, because...Continue
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