Broken Glass and Big Brothers
The girl was in the kitchen getting a glass of water. Suddenly we heard a crash and the sound of breaking glass. “Don’t move!” I yelled, realizing she was, as usual, barefoot. The boy and I rushed to her rescue. The boy, wearing shoes, of course, came up behind his sister and lifted her straight up under her arms and carried her, straight-legged out of the kitchen and into the livingroom and safety. It was a simple act, sweet and touching from a big brother who would have his sister believe he’d let her walk over glass under most circumstances. Even though he had nothing to do with it, he stuck around and helped me clean up the glass. The girl went to put on shoes and helped sweep, then mop the kitchen floor (if you’re gonna sweep it, you might as well wash it, right?). Even though he said, jokingly, “you should ground her for a month,” I know he was glad he was there to play hero to his little sis. Not that he’ll ever admit it.