Harris and Bell: Shorts

The Bat House

"I know you won't be able to go through with it."

I glare at him. "And why wouldn't I, Lionel?"

Lionel shrugs with a smug look. "You're too soft. Too sensitive."

"Give me that." I snort, snatching the hammer away.

"Fine." He backs away with his hands up. I notice a glimmer in his eyes.

I shouldn't do this. Mum will be so mad... But if I don't, he'll be right. He can't be right. I can do this.

I stare at the neighbor's window and feel the blood drain from my face and my stomach tighten.

Just give it one good whack, Kenny. On good whack then run away. They'll automatically think it was Lenny. You'll be fine.

The window glimmers, speckled with raindrops that sparkle in the summer sun, despite the sun being hidden by clouds. I lower the hammer. Lionel was right. I sigh and retreat to the backyard where he stands, hands on hips, smirking.

"I told you so. Even after they smashed your bat house."

"Just because they deserve it doesn't mean that it's right for me to do it to them in return."

Lionel nods with a small, proud smile. "Good. I was hoping you'd learn that from this."

I raise my eyebrow and look at him. "You were teaching me a lesson? Lenny, you're only forty-five minutes older."

"What has age to do with it? I had to learn that the hard way, I wanted you to learn it, too, but in a controlled environment." He smiles.

"Lenny..." I sigh and shake my head.

"I just wanted you to know revenge doesn't make you feel better. Being the bigger person and forgiving them is the best policy."

"Like you actually do that." I snort.

"Well, I forgive, but I don't forget." He shrugs. "My suggestion, Kenny, is that you should build another bat house, paint it bright yellow, and hang it right outside their window. That's the right kind of revenge."

"Maybe I should just do what they had said before...."

"And be a doormat? Kendall, you can't always just do what everyone tells you. They don't know you. You have to learn to be a little selfish, don't let them control you." Lionel pats my back.

"But..."

"No buts." He smiles. "Now why don't we go back in?"

"You think Mum will let us have ice cream?"

Lionel looks at me. "You know you don't have to ask anymore, right? You can just get it out; she doesn't care."

"But...That just doesn't feel right."

"Oh boy, have we got a ways to go to prepare you for real life."

"Again, you're only forty-five minutes older, stop trying to be my parent."

"Well, Mum and Dad aren't doing a good job of handling you, I have to be the middleman."

I shake my head and open the door. "You're annoying."

"Annoying?" He follows me inside.

"Yes, you're my brother but you're trying to be my guardian and you are, again I'll remind you, only forty-five minutes older. You don't have to be this responsible over me. Just be my brother." I sigh. "Please?"

Lenny looks nearly disappointed. "We'll see..."