Brion Robertson was considered smart by those who know him. They will also be the first to tell you what an asshole he is, but them reminisce on the small moments his kindness and love shone through. Granted, in the past years, those moment had been nearly non-existent. When he disappears for years, absence does not make the heart grow fonder for anyone, not even his beloved sister.
Until, when he can barely move, and can't even speak, someone walks through the door, quite literally, and everything changes. Being forgiven is easy. Paying for your sins is a lot harder.