The Love One Has for his Brother

His Precious Brother

I sat in one of the hammocks, replaying the unfortunate event that just took place. Questions arose in my mind.
Why?
How long?
Does her husband know?
Do her kids know?

I sat there asking myself these questions and didn't notice a boy come tapping at the door.
"Gilly! Gilly! Hurry up!"
Gilbert opened the door looking soft and sympathetic.
"Arnie go back in the truck. If you be a good boy, we'll go get some ice cream. Okay Arnie. Go back in the truck".
Arnie closed the door and squealed.
"Gilly's gonna get some ice cream for Arnie because A-Arnie's gonna be a good boy".
He wandered down the path and into the front seat of the truck that was parked on the drive way.
I sat there fascinated by this boy who looked as though he was the same age as me but had the intellectual capacity of a 6 year old.

I peered through the kitchen window wondering if their little "session" had finished. It seemed that their passion for each other died down after Arnie and i's interruption. They were just talking now.

I hopped out of the hammock and walked towards Arnie, wondering if he needed company.
He was playing with his fingers, pretending that they were aeroplanes. I smiled. I use to do the same thing when I was younger.

I lightly knocked on his window.
He looked at me and giggled.
"Come in".
I walked to the drivers side and hopped in .
"Hi".
He didn't respond. He seemed too fixated on his pretend aeroplanes.
"Hello".
He turned around and faced me.
"I'm Arnie Grape. I'm 17 years old and I have..." He started counting on his fingers. "....one Mamma, one brother and two sisters".
I smiled.
"What about your dad?"
He was quite for a second before letting out a big scream. I had to cover my ears with my hands it was that loud.
Arnie started crying. I sat there stunned.
Crap, what should I do.
I tried to place my hand on his arm but he shook it off.
"A-Arnie I'm really sorry. I didn't know".
I sat there, my eyes on the front door hoping Gilbert couldn't hear anything. There was no point trying to justify myself with him because he probably won't understand.
"Hey A-Arnie if you stop crying like a good boy I'll go get you some ice cream".
His crying slowly turned into light sobs as he thought over what I said.
He turned around, looking red-eyed and puffy. I grabbed a tissue from my jumper and gave it to him.
He took it and rubbed it against his hair before chucking it out the car window.
I giggled.
"B-but how is Gilly gonna get me ice cream if your gonna get me ice cream?"
"We don't have to get ice cream today. You and Gilly can get ice cream today and we'll go tomorrow".
He smiled and returned to playing with his fingers.

Gilbert came running out of the house as if he was just in a argument. I didn't realise that he was standing outside the driver side until Arnie pointed it out.
"Gilly! What took so long? The ice cream is probably already melted by now".
I looked up embarrassed as ever.
"I'm really sorry. I should of asked. It's just that he seemed a little bored and lonely".
His expression was soft and gentle.
"No it's fine. I'm glad Arnie had someone to talk to. Normally he's in here all by himself when I do my deliveries"
I hopped out of the truck.
"Bye Arnie".
He smiled at me.
"Bye girl".
Gilbert seemed a little embarrassed.
"Sorry. My brother has a mind of his own sometimes".
I laughed.
"Shouldn't we all?"
Gilbert looked at me more intently this time as though he wanted to say something but couldn't really find the right words.

Instead he smiled and drove away, taking his precious brother with him.