Simon Says

It was Friday night and I was planning on some peace and quite with a good book. After a long week of school and having to keep my immature older brother Alvin out of trouble, I felt I deserved some me time. I had curled up in my favorite spot by the window and started reading the first chapter of my book when Dave knocked on the door and entered. He seemed as if he was in a hurry.

He explained, "I know it's extremely last minute, but can you watch over Alvin for a few days? I have to go to San Francisco on a business trip and Theodore is coming with me. Alvin is technically too old for a baby sitter, but he doesn't need to know that you're baby sitting him. Even though you're a year younger than he is, you're much more mature than he is...or will ever be."

I knew that there was absolutely no way out of this and I had to accept my fate gracefully. I complied with Dave's request and was given a list of rules to make sure that Alvin followed. Dave continued, "If Alvin gets out of hand just call me and let me know. I'll take care of it on the spot."

I knew that this would be a very long weekend, but at the same time I had a few things in mind that Alvin and I could do to pass the time. Since Dave left me in absolute control, there would be no way Alvin could resist. Dave looked at his watch and departed with our youngest brother Theodore at his side.

The first order of business was to make dinner for Alvin and myself. I called Alvin downstairs for dinner and he responded, "I'd love to stay, but I'm headed to a party. Jessica Bennett invited me to her birthday and all the cool kids from school will be there. I can't miss my chance to hang out with the cool kids after all these years."

I grabbed Alvin by the arm and replied, "No you're not. Dave left me in charge and I say you're going to sit down and eat the dinner I made for us."

Alvin groaned and glared angrily at me, but inevitably sat at the table across from me. After he realized that I was serious, he began to slowly warm up to the idea of me watching over him while Dave and Theodore were gone. We made small talk for about twenty minutes while we ate or meal.

I finally built up my courage and questioned in a nervous voice, "Alvin, do you like me?"

He responded eagerly as he looked into my eyes, "Of corse I like you Si, you're my little brother. In fact, you're my favorite brother because you're always there to pull me out of the fire. If it weren't for you, I'd probably be dead or grounded for life by now. That's if I'm really lucky. If I was really unlucky I'd be in jail for the rest of my life for a prank gone wrong."

I rested my chin in the palm of my hand as I looked down at the plate of food in front of me and stated, "That's not exactly what I meant. I meant do you like me as more than a...ne-never mind, it's a stupid question any way."

Alvin gave me a puzzled look and let the question go without a second thought. I suggested that we finish dinner and do the dishes so we could go watch t.v. for a little while before bed. By the look on Alvin's face, he could tell that something was on my mind.

I wanted to just blurt it out, but I knew that Alvin would resent me for how I feel about him. I wouldn't admit it to anybody, but he is in all reality my best and only friend. I've always looked up to him no matter how immature, stubborn or mean he can possibly be.

The whole reason I have these feelings for Alvin is because of when I was nine years old and Alvin was ten. We went to Colorado for spring break. Dave and Theodore went to town to get medicine for Alvin because he played in the snow without a jacket and caught a cold. Everybody warned him, but he refused to listen to any sort of reasoning.

I tired wrapping blankets around him and sat him in front of the fire place, but I could not get him to warm up. In an act of desperation, I sat next to him under the blanket and wrapped my arm around his shoulder as I held him tightly. Alvin rested his head on my shoulder and I stared at him taking note of his messy caramel brown hair, his deep black eyes, and the look of happiness he had as I tired to preserve his body heat.