→

As the majority of you know, I love my little brother. Not just a fond, family-type love either. I love him like I love my best friend, because he is one of them. And I’m not saying we’re perfect, because we’re not. We bicker and sometimes get mad. We never fight, though. That’s just something we don’t do.

I took him with me to CRU last Wednesday. He’s got the week off because his school takes a mid-winter break. Therefore, staying out late with my friends isn’t really an issue right now. Needless to say, everyone loved him. He really liked being there, too. He loved everyone.

“I’m so glad I came,” he kept saying. “Everyone was so cool.”

A couple days ago, he called my cell phone. I was babysitting at the time.

“Carly, where are you?”

“I’m at Susan’s. I’m babysitting tonight.”

“Oh… Well… When do you come home?”

“Not until late. It’s date night for them.”

“Like, what time do you think?”

“Somewhere around 11, maybe?”

Kyle heaved a heavy sigh. “I want you to come home now.”

“Kyle, I can’t–”

“Yes, you can!”

“No, I can’t!”

“Yes. You can.”

“Kyle–”

“Carly.”

“Stop it! What’s your deal?”

“I’m bored!”

“You want me to come home because you’re bored?!”

“Carly, you have no idea what happened today!”

“What?!”

“You took me to school this morning, I went to school. Dad picked me up, I came home, and you weren’t here. I went downstairs, played some Game Cube for like, 30 minutes, and after that, I drew for a while. Then I went up to your room, thinking you were gonna come home soon. I lied on your bed and fell asleep until 7:30. I woke up, made myself some dinner, and then I sat on the couch and watched ‘The Simpsons.’ It’s 9:30 now, and you’re still not home.”

“…Why didn’t you call a friend?”

“I called every single one. No one was able to come over.”

“Why didn’t you go do something? Like ride your bike?”

“It’s not as fun going alone.”

“Kyle… What are you gonna do when I’m really gone?”

“…What do you mean?”

“I mean, next fall. What are you gonna do when I go to school and I’m not there at all?”

“I don’t wanna think about it.”

“I’m serious, Kyle, what are you gonna do?”

“I really don’t want to think about it, Carly!”

“Ok, listen, when I get home tonight, you and I can watch a movie, ok?”

“Ok. Cool.”

“Ok, see you later.”

“Bye.”

I’m beginning to wonder what I am going to do without him.