Pressing the call button Tali heard the phone connect and ring once ,twice before being picked up.
"Hello,this is Robin speaking.I have homework so please be quick."
"Hello, this is the young actors theatre calling.Theres been an accident happen to your brother ,Dylan."
"I..I don't have a bro called Dylan.All my brothers are younger than me.Do you want to speak to Mom?"
Tali bit her lip,hesitating.
"Yes, I think that would be best."
Robin handed the phone to his mom and went back to his family tree.He was sure he had heard the name Dylan before,maybe it had something to do with that guy who they visited at the school?Or maybe it was someone else completely.
Seeing his mom put the phone down he asked her about it.
"Mom,do I have a brother called umm Dylan?"
His mom laughed.
"No silly!"
Robin smiled and finished his project.That night he had a dream.He was younger and was running around the living room.An older boy, one that weirdly looked a lot like him was playing with him.It looked like he was a babysitter.
Suddenly Robin woke up and sat straight up in his bed.
He remembered.
He remembered the boy that had played with him patiently and helped him with everything.He remembered how he felt when the boy disappeared.Suddenly all the hugs and kind ,comforting words had been gone from his life.He was almost sure that,yes he did have an older brother ...which meant his mom had lied to him.He lay back down his heart thudding.He'd talk to his mom in the morning.
The next morning he woke up early but remembering his decision pulled on his dressing gown and slippers before going downstairs.
"Morning,Robin!"chanted Razza.
"Morning squirt!" Robin said reaching across to mess up his brother's hair."Hey Raz..Have you seen Mom this morning?"
Razza nodded.
"Yeah,she's in the lounge.Why?"
"No reason.Thanks,kiddo."
Robin left in the direction of the lounge.When he got there he found his mom watching the oversized television.
"Mom?"
His mom glanced up.
"Hi,Robin!"
She patted the place on the couch next to her.Robin slid into the seat.
"Mom,will you tell me the truth and nothing but the truth?"
His mom laughed.
"Sure Robbs."
"Tell me about Dylan.Please.I want to know why you sent him away."
His mom sighed and rolled her eyes.
"Robin,Dylan is your half brother.Dad had another wife ,a marriage that didn't work out but resulted in a baby.Dylan was quiet,but if you knew him he was louder than a herd of elephants and as cheerful as a clown,.When you were born,after Dad met me, he looked after you,like an older brother should.Around that time Dad started to get drunk every night and I had to work a night shift so I wasn't around when Dad hit the boy.To tell you the truth, even if I was around I didn't care for the boy very much.He was very irritating and always tried to help with you."
Robin put a hand on his moms lap.
"Do you try to get to know him?Honestly?"
His mom smiled faintly.
"Yes.Dylan was smarter than smart and he loved drama. And he loved you. Sometimes I would go into his room and both of you would be curled up asleep in his bed.But his arms were always wrapped around you.I never knew if this was a claim on you or his way of protecting you.Because he was so smart his teacher recommended that we send him away to school,the one we visited do you remember?And Dad thought it was a good idea so we did it.Of course,it wasn't the first time we'd sent him away to school.He knew his alphabet at age two and was reading big chapter books by the time he was four.He was so smart how could we not let him go in for a scholarship?He won one and we sent him away to school.
That's what happened,Robin."
Robin nodded
"But why are you so angry with him?"
"We asked him to write every week.He has never written once.Your Dad likes to be in control but Dylan lives life his way.thats why."
Robin nodded.
"Thanks Mom!"
He hurried away.
He had A LOT of research to do.
