Sibling Rivalry Goes Awry on April 1st |
You Got Me Again? 524 Words
I come from a mixed family, and by mixed I mean that some of us were born in Italy and the rest were born here in America. My father left for America to get things established in nineteen twenty-one when I was four years old, six months later, my mother and I were on a boat headed for Ellis Island. America meant opportunity and a chance to live the dream, however no matter where you go, some things will always remain the same. My mother selected me as her favorite child which motivated my American born brothers to make my life as miserable as they could. It was never mean-spirited, but it did present it's challenges. I was six years older than the others and built like an Italian tank. We went to the community pool often in the summer even though I didn't like the water that much, but my duty was to watch out for my brothers and their self appointed duty was to spend part of their day trying to knock me into the pool. One day I was standing at the edge of the pool watching the shimmering water and basically just daydreaming when I heard the sound of running feet impacting with the cement behind me. They were determined I'll give them that. With no other options at my disposal, I stretched out my arms and braced myself. I became a double clothesline and my brothers flew in either direction. I glanced back at them to be sure they were not injured before returning to my daydream. After another cold hard winter, spring had finally come knocking on our part of the world, but in our home nothing had changed. My brother's goals had not changed and so, on April first they had devised the ultimate plan. The plan to end all plans. I waited all day for something to happen, but there was nothing,which seemed troubling on April Fools Day. I was on my way upstairs to the second floor where we slept when I realized that I forgot something in the kitchen. I passed my father on the way down and wished him good night. By the time I was halfway to the kitchen, my father had reached the top of the stairs, and that's when it happened. A sudden burst of muffled profanities in Italian filled the house. My father didn't speak English, but I was bi-lingual and heard every word he said. It was the funniest thing I have ever heard. My ambitious brothers had accidentally given my father a blanket party that was actually meant for me, however they were unable to see through the blanket as they held it in wait and they didn't see the transfer that took place between my father and me. I dashed up the stairs just in time to see my red-faced brothers being sent to their rooms with an Italian tirade delivered by my father. When the dust had finally settled I briefly visited my embarrassed and frightened brothers. "So, you got me again. Looks like April Fools Day is on you. Goodnight boys. |