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[22 Jan 2010|05:01pm] |
Richard Brandstrum wasn't a gambler by any means but at eight every morning he'd arrive at work with a lotto ticket in his pocket and a little more hopeful about the coming day. He played the same numbers every day, the birthday of his only son, Colin and there were those who called him a fool, and even fewer who thought it romantic in a strange sense of the word. Colin was three when Richard won the lottery. Some days he'd be home in time to catch the numbers, others he honestly didn't bother since after so long, he'd almost given up on actually winning anything. He’d miss the show that afternoon but close friends, people he knew from work were all calling in, congratulating him since after so long, everyone knew the numbers to look out for! He was shocked, first and foremost before elation. The jackpot was 102 million dollars. They were rich and for a while, local and national newspapers ran the story of a small family who had joined the ranks of millionaires. Colin was still too young to truly understand the effect of his father's win. On the heels of their victory came a devastating defeat, Alice Brandstrum, 32, was killed by a drunk driver swerving onto the sidewalk as she walked home from work. Richard mourned the death of his wife for three years before finally setting foot back onto the dating scene. Colin was seven. Instead of moving the family, the Brandstrum boys (coined by their local newspaper) stayed in town. Colin attended the best schools, had all the best things and somehow managed to stay grounded despite it all. He was well liked enough in high school, had his small circle of friends and having more money than he knew what to do with helped. When he was 14, his father remarried. She was Rebecca and ten years his junior. Even at his tender age, Colin knew exactly what she was: golddigger. However, his father was blinded by her charms and so Colin had to endure through the rituals of dating. He did however, put his foot down when Richard suggested taking the next step. It was the only time his father ever raised his voice to him. Colin did not attend the wedding; in fact, he stayed in Seattle with a friend. After high school, Colin shipped out to college on the east coast, attending Penn state with a close friend and in those four years, he rarely visited home. College was fun, easy, and Colin enjoyed himself. He even graduated with some honors, tucking a degree under his arm and wondering what next? At 25, after almost 7 years away from home, he returned to Seattle after his father was diagnosed with prostate cancer. For three years, Colin stayed by his father's side while Richard battled the disease, losing the battle a few weeks short of his 54th birthday. After his death, Colin threw himself into a number of questionable activities as he grieved. He came to his senses though before any true harm could be done to himself and has since stayed on the path of straight and narrow. At least, until he met Holden gallaway. Their courtship was unique, and the relationship far more special than anything Colin's ever possessed and worth more than his bank account. When Colin and two friends formed a Foundation to help the needy and poor, they planned to open shop (so to speak) in NYC. Together, he and Holden moved to the big apple.
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