My Brother Richard

Mommy and Daddy drove out to get their new baby n a winter storm They were on the road for an hour because there was ice on the road. We did not know if we were getting a brother, a sister, or a puppy. Grandpa had suggested puppy; we were stuck on this idea actually. They came home from the hospital on a much nicer day. Daddy was carrying a baby wrapped in a blue and white blanket. You have a new baby brother, they told us. My identical twin and I fought over him at first. Catlike mewing and whining got to me. I decided she could have him. He had curls and fat cheeks and said funny things when he turned two. He was the most amazing wonderful creature in the world then. At three he was getting into our things and messing up our room. I was ready to trade him for a puppy, snow cone, barrette or a dime. At five he got his first bike. At twelve, my twin and I got our first bike. I said it was not fair,, but he was a “boy”, so our father thought it was. At nineteen I had a new baby; my brother came over a lot to see her. At eleven, he loved her – carrying her around, feeding her the bottle. He rode his bike to my house every day in the summer to see her. This is when I got to know him and got close to him for the first time. I recognized his sweetness and his giving nature, and I was proud he was my brother.