Winter's Sister

1

I turned twelve two days ago, but today is Saturday. Steve had taken me to a movie while we waited for Bucky, who was back in New York for a few days leave. We had just exited the theater, arms linked, and as we passed an alley, a nearby upper teens boy let out a cat-call.

"Hey, baby," the boy slurred, coming up to us, staring more at my barely-there chest than my face. "I can show you a much better time than scrawny here can."

Not a minute later, Steve was getting pounded in the alley as I cowered in the corner. Who knows what would have happened had I been alone.

"You just don't know when to give up, do you?" the boy questioned.

Steve stood again, taking up his weak stance once more. "I could do this all day," he stated. The boy punched Steve again, and he fell on the ground.

"Hey," a new, yet familiar, voice called out. "Pick on someone your own size." I looked up to see Bucky punch the jerk in the mouth, before literally kicking his butt.

Bucky pulled me to my feet and into a hug. "Happy late birthday, kiddo," he said, before looking at Steve, who was on his feet again.

"Sometimes, I think you like getting punched," he commented.

"He cat-called Ree," Steve explained, panting a bit.

"I should've punched him harder," Bucky mourned. Then, picking up the enlistment papers that had fallen out of Steve's coat, he said, "How many times is this? Ah, your from Paramus, now. You know, it's illegal to lie on enlistment forms. And seriously, Jersey?"

"You get your orders?" Steve asked, unfased by my brother's slight rant.

"107th," Bucky answered, his posture straightening. "Sargent James Barnes. Shipping out for England first thing tomorrow."

"You're leaving again already?" I asked, my face saddening.

"I know, kiddo," Bucky said. "Sorry I can't stay longer. Orders are orders."

"I should be going," Steve stated, sounding depressed.

Bucky looked at Steve for a moment, before pulling the smaller man to him. "Come on, now, man, it's my last night! Gotta get you cleaned up." I followed the two, grabbing Bucky's hand. He squeezed my hand gently.

"Why? Where are we going?" Steve asked.

Bucky handed Steve a newspaper. "The future," he replied.

Once we were home, I changed into my favorite black dress with white polka dots. Steve was at his house changing. He would be coming by our house in an hour.

Finally, we were almost to the large, spinning globe at the convention hall. There were fireworks, and I stared in awe as we continued walking. I held on to Bucky's sleeve so I didn't trip as I stared at the sky.

"I don't see what the problem is," Bucky was saying to Steve. "You're about to be the last eligible man in New York. Y'know there's three and a half million women here."

"Yeah, well I'd settle for just one," Steve answered.

"Good thing I took care of that," Bucky smiled, waving at two girls.

"Hey, Bucky," one of them called.

"What'd you tell her about me?" Steve questioned.

"Only the good stuff," came the reply.

We walked up to Dolores, or Dot, and Patricia. Dot was Bucky's girlfriend, but I didn't know her too well.

"Bucky, your sister is so cute!" Patricia exclaimed, ruffling my hair. I stared blankly at her. I hated when people other than Bucky or Steve did that. She pulled her hand away awkwardly, then went up to survey Steve.

We walked into the convention hall. Steve and I trailed behind Bucky, Dot, and Patricia.

"Oh my gosh, it's starting!" Dot said happily, as the girls hurried into to the crowd, pulling my brother with them.

I pushed my way in front of Bucky so I could see. A man on stage, Howard Stark, kissed a woman who seemed to be missing her pants. He talked to the crowd about the possibility of an automobile not having to touch the ground. More ladies without pants took the wheels off the red car on the stage. He pushed a lever on the control panel up, and the car began to rise.

"Holy cow," Bucky stated from behind me.

Howard Stark pushed the lever a little more, smirking. Then, the car fell back onto the stage. Some people laughed. I was one of them.

"I did say a few years, didn't I?" Howard Stark joked.

"Hey, Steve," Bucky said. "What do you say we treat these ladies..." He trailed off, seeing Steve was no longer there, then rushed off. He left me alone with Dot and Patricia. I groaned.

"Come on, twerp, let's find your brother and his idiot friend," Dot said, hands on her hips.

"Steve is not an idiot!" I argued. "He's really smart. He helps me with my math homework, and I always end up with an A!"

The girls laughed hysterically, before going to find Bucky. Not wanting to be left alone, I followed them.

"Hey, Sarg," Dot called when we could see Bucky. "Are we going dancing?"

"Yes we are!" Bucky answered, then looked back at Steve for a moment. I walked up to them. "Don't do anything stupid until I get back."

"How can I?" Steve asked. "You're taking all the stupid with you."

"You're a punk," Bucky said, hugging Steve.

"Jerk," Steve answered, returning the hug.

"In that case, I'm going to stay with Steve," I sighed. "Sorry, Bucky, your girlfriend is annoying." I hugged my brother. "Stay safe."

"You, too, kiddo," he replied, kissing the top of my head. "Steve, make sure she gets home in one piece."

"I always do," Steve replied, placing his arm across my shoulders. "Be careful, Buck. Don't win the war till I get there!" Bucky saluted us playfully, before walking away.

I followed Steve as he went to try once again to be enlisted. I had to wait outside the room, which was boring. But Steve came out smiling. He had been accepted; I knew before he told me. I was happy for him. However, I couldn't help but feel a bit bitter. First, my brother leaves for the army. Now Steve. All I would have until they got back would be my dad, and he was rarely conscious when he was around.

Steve walked me all the way home and made sure I went to bed before leaving.