The Spring Anthology ✔

Don't Cry

Written by @Dreya_san

 Danny said it was okay to cry when you're hurt or scared or sad, that's why I always cry. I cry when the kids would tease me and bully me, I cry when Danny scolds me because I punched those kids in the face, I cry when I fall, trip or slip. Danny said it was normal. Everyone cries, he said. But I never saw him cry, not once! Not even at our parents' funerals. He stood strong at Dad's and he didn't even whimper at Mom's. I was always the crybaby between the two of us and it was unfair. I want to see Danny cry too.

"Daniel I'm just going out for groceries. You and Caleb take care!" my ears perked up when I heard Aunt Mina shout from the living room.

"Sure Auntie. Have a safe trip. Don't forget our sugar worms, okay?" Danny then reminded her. I heard the door shut and it was pure silence again. It was the perfect chance to make Danny cry without getting in trouble! Ever since Danny turned eighteen and is old enough to be left alone and take care of me, Aunt Mina always took the whole day to get groceries because most of the time she would also go to the mall next door and do window shopping for clothes and knick knacks. If I was going to make my big brother cry, then it was now or never.

Operation: Make Big Brother Cry now commence!

Number one: Hurt Danny. What would hurt Danny? Should I kick him or punch him or something?

I don't think it's a good idea because he knows Taekwondo and he might kick me back. I don't want to lose another tooth again — even though he didn't mean to kick me back then. Should I pinch him? Pinches on the nose and cheeks always make me tear up. Would it do the same to Danny? Bite him maybe. He's afraid of dogs so it might work.

"Danny!" I ran down the stairs determined to try all those out on him. I found him bored reading a very thick book on our couch with both his feet up.

"Yeah buddy?" he didn't even give me a glance when he answered! I pouted and stomped my way towards him. With no warning at all, I bit his arm with growling noises like a dog. He jolted up and yelped. He snagged his arm away from me and it sent me to my butt. I fell to our carpeted floor with a loud thud! I-It hurt...

"Ugh, Caleb, why-?" he sounded mad but when he turned to me, his rage literally died down.

"Stupid Danny, you didn't have to push me!" I said sniffling but not crying yet, I won't cry today! Danny's the only person who'll be crying!  

He picked me up and put me on his lap. He held both my hands and patted my back to make me feel better. I hate to admit it at this moment but it always made me feel better when Danny would hug me or pat me on the head or back. "I'm sorry, Caleb. I didn't mean to-" I didn't want to hear his apology. I wanted to see him cry!

"Did I hurt Danny?" I asked pouting.

"N-no, buddy. Not at all," he gave me a sloppy smile while he massaged the part where I bit him. I could've sworn it hurt! I gave it my all. But then again he didn't even have a shed of tear in his eye so maybe it didn't. I pouted even more.

"Hey bud, can I ask why you did that-?" I didn't let him finish. I immediately pinched his nose. He shouted once again and he even tried to shake loose from my fingers, this time not pushing me away. He just held my hand and yanked it away his nose. He was whimpering in pain as he covered the upper half of his face with both hands. I waited attentively to see a tear fall from his eyes. I even closed in to get a closer look.

"Caleb, why are you doing these things?" but it was an utter failure. Not a single tear went down again. He easily recovered. Sure, he still had one eye closed because of the pain, but he didn't cry. It wasn't painful enough. Why is it so hard to make Danny cry? I cry easily, why can't he?