Archers Point Of View -
"Don't lean too close to the side, Winston." I gently rebuke my younger brother. He retracts his tiny fingers from the edge of the wooded rowing boat and looks up at me with wide, blue eyes.
I send him a lopsided smile and continue to paddle through the water at a steady pace. Winston lets little hums leave his lips as he swings his short feet that hang off the wooden seat. My jacket engulfs his small body and pools off the back of his seat like a cape.
I stare down at him with a sigh, reach out to him and lightly grab his body. I pull him onto my lap, causing him to turn his head up to look over his shoulder and peak up at me through his dark, brown hair.
"How long 'til we get home to mummy." He questions with his lisp. I pull my eyebrows down in thought then look into the distance to see the shoreline ahead.
"Not long, Winnie." I whisper, continuing to row. The cool air still nips at my skin even though a navy sweater covers me, along with my boots and jeans. Winston lets a frustrated cherry escape his lips before he leans back into my chest and curls into a ball.
I look up at the cloudy sky and wince as I feel tiny droplets hit my cheeks and nose lightly. I turn my gaze to a head of me and quicken my pace until my small, wooden boat lands onto land. My little brother practically skips off the boat, stumbles onto the soft sand and sits patiently waiting for me.
I laugh at him and stand up to then step off the vessel. My feet instantly sink into the sand as I pull at the rope and bring the boat further up shore and away from the water. I wipe my hands on my thighs to rid earth, then reach over to grab our empty fish bucket. Weather was bad today and I wasn't able to catch anything, plus Winston thought it would be amusing to throw our bait in the water for attention.
I chuck the bucket back in with a curse.
The rain creates a mist to form, making me let out an exaggerated groan. Winston drags his feet over to me before clinging his arms around my leg and yawning. I grin fondly at him and start walking with him still attached to my limb like a little koala bear.
"If you're happy and know it, clap your hands." The four year old sings. I clap my hands twice then reach down to pick him up. I lift him in the air until he ends up with both his legs hanging off my shoulders.
"If you're happy and know it, clap your hands." I hum out. Winnie claps right in front of my face, grazing my noes and giggling once he hits me. I laugh while I start running down the shoreline with my brother gripping my hair between his fingers.
"I don't want you to go back to school!" Winston whines as we reach the pier.
I exhale. "Me neither but we still have a month left."
"Then don't! I don't want to be lonely." I don't argue back with him but focus on my tapping feet. I can't help but feel guilty for leaving him at home. He looks up to me; well that's what mom says anyway. But school is priority for now.
"We are here." I note, pulling Winston off my shoulders and setting him to walk beside me instead. He immediately grabs my hand into his and speaks. I look down at the frowning child with a raised eyebrow.
"I will trip with this on." He mumbles, pulling at the sleeve of my jacket. I can't help but laugh as he grumbles when trying to fold up the long sleeves and lift the bottom of the jacket off the ground but fails.
"Winnie." I playfully scold him. I crouch down, pull off the jacket then slide it onto myself. Winston smiles then tugs at my hand to make me walk.
