The Third Way

1

July, 1984 - Age 4

"Mikey Give it back" I yell as I run after my older brother Mikey 

"You have to come get it" He teases whilst waving my favourite lamb soft toy and running off 

"Gerard Mikey has my toy and won't give it back" 

"Mikey give it back, you know it's her favourite" 

"Just like you're the favourite brother" He sulks throwing it back at me 

"Thanks Gerard" I smile collecting Percy and hugging Gerard

"It's ok"  He smiles hugging me back 

Gerard is my favourite brother, he gives me lots of cuddles and watches my little pony with me. I go inside taking Percy back to my bedroom then I go downstairs and play with my dollhouse that's in the corner of the living room. Gerard is drawing as usual and Mikey is somewhere. 

"Thank you" Mikey laughs taking one of my dolls and running off 

"Mikey" I whine 

"Mikey give it back right now or I'll call Mom"

"Make me" 

"Make you do what?" Mom asks walking into the room 

"Mikey has my doll and won't give it back" I reply 

"Mikey give it back" 

"Fine"

"He took Percy from her earlier too, oh and some other toy before that too" Gerard speaks 

"Mikey to your room now" 

"What's for food?" I ask following Mom to the kitchen 

"What do you want?" 

"Mash potatoes with sweetcorn, lamb and gravy oh and mint sauce" I smile 

"Then that's what we're having then, you're lucky I just bought more mint sauce from the store" 

"Where's Daddy?"

"He's in the garage still, did he not come in and check on you guys?"

"No, I thought he was with you"

"You're all too young to be left home alone" She chuckles 

I smile and leave going to the garage "Daddy?" I call as I close the door behind me

"Stay with you are, don't move" 

"Why?" I ask stopping where I am 

"Because there's something around here you can't see" He smiles as he comes around the corner 

"Why?"

"It's a surprise"  

"When can I have it?" 

"After food" 

"Ok, it better be good and worth the wait" 

"It will, now off you go back in the house princess" 

After food

"Can I have my surprise now?" I ask Daddy 

"Go and get ready for bed then you come straight back to this room ok?"

I nod ok and run upstairs going to get changed into my pjs then I go back downstairs. "I'm all dressed" 

"Right come on, close your eyes too" 

"But I'll walk into a wall"

"No you won't, come on" He chuckles getting up from his seat

I hold his hand and close my eyes, Gerard standing behind me covering my eyes so I don't peak.

"You can open them now" 

I open my eyes and see a rocking horse in front of me,one that looks like Glory from My Little Pony 

"I love it" I squeal running over and getting on it

"What do you say to your father for making it?" Mom asks 

"Thanks Daddy"

"My little pony, skinny and boney, or made out of wood in Glory's case" Mikey sings

"Mikey!" Mom, Dad and Gerard warns 

"Sorry" he shrugs and sits down on the couch

"Gerard get on, we got to save Magic Star" He gets on the back and we play my little pony until it's my bedtime. 

After my bedtime story I fall into dreamland ending another regular day in my life.