Listen – I’m an asshole. My sister’s told me this early, often, and at varying volumes. And you know what they say – if you say something enough, you can make it true.
Having said that, my heart grew 3 sizes today. My middle younger brother and oldest younger brother had piano lessons today, and I got pegged to walk them, because OYB can’t leave the house by himself without violating his Juvie-Parole. And so, since I’d been stuck with OYB all day (he’s also expelled, for now, at least), I attempted to make conversation with MYB. I went with the boring icebreaker, “What’d you learn in school today?”
His response? “Nothing. I was too distracted by thinking about Mikaela.”
I then promptly learned everything there is to know about a 6th grade girl from the eyes of MYB, grilling him with the tact and finesse necessary to get information out of a 6th grader. “Is she pretty?” “Yeah…..” “What color’s her hair?” “Same as mine.” “Is she smart?”
Pause.
“Not really…”
MYB likes ‘em pretty and dumb. Boo-yah! I win the Older Brother Olympics. In a few years, I just know that he’ll like them “Smart.”
