Boys

Boys

“You’re in trouble now,” a small voice came from behind Jeff, making him jump.

Closing his eyes, and breathing again, he turned to face his younger brother, Joe.

“What are you doing here?” he asked.

“I live here.” Joey said.

Jeff knew that tone. Joe was not going to leave until he was ready.

“I’m looking for something to eat.”

“You’re lying to me. You just ate.”

“Maybe I’m still hungry.”

“You never even finish what Mom gives you…”

“I wanted something different…”

“I know where that is…”

“You don’t even know what I want.”

“Yes, I do. You want the Cina-minies.”

Jeff sighed. “How do you know that?”

“I know all of your favorites. And I know you carried a bag of groceries in for Mom this afternoon, and I also know she bought Cina-minies.”

“How?”

“Same way you did, I saw it on the counter when Mom went to answer the phone.”

“You weren’t there!”

“I was under the table… if you get them, you can bring them in my room. Mom would never look there.”

“Why not?”

“Because I don’t like Cina-minies.”

“Oh, yeah.

“But you will have to do something for me.”

“What?”

“Throw away my shirt I ripped.”

“Where’s the shirt?”

“Bathtub.”

Off they both went.

“And we’re gonna let them get away with it?” Dad said, from the hall where he and Mom were hiding.

“Yes, I want them to trust each other.”

“Another insane thing I do not understand…”

“You will, you just never had a brother.”

“And you have three…”

“And I know boys.”

“That you do…” Dad smiled.