My brother and I were inseparable. I was one year younger than him. But we grew up like twins. I told my mother to cut my hair short, and I wore jeans and t-shirts all the time, sometimes I wore my brother’s shirts. You could say that I became a “tom boy.” We liked the same movies, and we played games. He became my best friend.
It was Thanksgiving break, and he came home from college. I was so happy to see him. When the front door opened, I ran and hugged him. I guessed that my eyes were closed from the excitement because right in front of me, behind my brother, stood a thin, red hair girl. In her hand, she carried a zebra print suitcase and a broad gin on her face which showed her bedazzled braced teeth. She wore a mini skirt, crop top, and heels. I pushed back from my brother’s embrace.
“What is going on?” I asked with my eyes on my brother and waited for his explanation. “Who is this, and why is she here?”
My brother turned to the girl and stretched his arm out to her. She grasped it and stepped to his side. “This is my girlfriend, Jasmine.” He looked at me. “And this is my baby sister, Princess,” he said to her.
“Hi, I said and walked away.
I heard Jasmine chuckled. Then she said, “You are going to be my personal tour guide. I can’t wait to spend the days with you.”
I was disappointed with my brother. He did not mention that he was dating anyone, much less having a girlfriend. Here I thought that we were best friends. How dare he hide this information from me. I went up to my room and took off the shirt I wore in honor of his return. It was that shirt he gave me for my birthday last year.
That was going to be an awkward week with Jasmine at the house. I bet I will not get a chance to be with my brother alone at all. He would be taking her out on tours of our city. I would make sure she didn’t come between us. Did you think that I overreacted? We had our annual traditions. We would visit the haunted house, which was still open on Marcus Garvey Lane, and participated in the Thanksgiving Costume Run. I sat on my bed reminiscing on past years; I had an idea.
Back in high school, my brother dated Gracey. They were so much in love and did things together. My brother usually included me in his plans or activity with Gracey, and she understood when we had family alone time. However, their relationship ended last year. Gracey said that it was all a misunderstanding about another boy. She was heartbroken and would call me on the phone crying. She wanted me to talk to him, but my brother didn’t want to hear her explanation. He went off to college soon there-after, so they did not get a chance to rekindle their relationship.
Gracey was back in town as well, home from college. I loved Gracey. She was kind and never came between my brother and me. Compared to the actions of Jasmine, who stepped to my brother as if she owned him. I will show her that the blood bond we shared was thicker than water.
I left the house and called Gracey. We chatted for a while, and she decided to participate in the costume run. It was going to be fun having her there. I told her that we could dress alike. My brother knew the outfit I bought because I had face time him while in the store to get his opinion on the costume. Gracey picked me up at the corner, and we went to the store. That was going to be her chance to get back with my brother. I was excited about my plan to get rid of Jasmine.
When I got home, they were nowhere in sight; my house smelt like a bakery. Mom had baked pies, and they were left on wire racks to cool. I walked into the kitchen, and Oscar, our parakeet, chirped, “Come in! Come in!” I grabbed a bottle of water and turned to leave, and there they were arm in arm. Jasmine kissed him right there. Don’t worry; I have something for you, I thought to myself.
“Hey, Sis,” my brother said.
“Hey, Blood,” I responded. His eyebrows furrowed with confusion; I had never called him “Blood” before. He shrugged then they retreated to their normal curvature.
“Are you ready for the costume run?” I asked.
“Oh, yeah! I wouldn’t miss it for anything,” he replied.
“Or anyone,” I said under my breath, ignoring Jasmine’s presence in the room. Mom’s car pulled into the garage. I opened the door to help her with the bags. I helped Mom prepare dinner, and Dad came home soon after. We all ate dinner together. I brought up Gracey while at the table that she was home too from college. Jasmine looked at me with a sneer that lingered at the corner of her mouth. The name of a college female captured her interest.
Mom looked at me too. “How was she?”
“She is doing GREAT!” I said imitating Tony the Tiger. Gracey hadn’t changed a bit. Except that she colored her hair from brown to black. The color complimented her copper complexion. Then, Dad asked Jasmine about her life in New York, and she blabbed about her privileged lifestyle. She wasn’t going to be with my brother for long because he could not afford to maintain her and her lifestyle. I did not see what attracted her to him or him to her. I did not care. I wanted to spend time with my brother, as we did before. So far, I didn’t get the chance to be alone with him yet. The next day things would be different. I finished dinner, excused myself from the table, and went to my room.
It was six o’clock when my alarm went off. I was in a good mood. I hummed as I got ready for the costume run. Jasmine did not have a costume, so she decided to be a spectator staying with Mom and Dad on the sideline. I put on my Wonder Woman costume and face mask and sneaked out the back door. I met with Gracey as planned, and we switched places. Gracey took my place in the house, and I went to the run alone in her car.
There were many runners around in the square. Some stretched, some chatted in small groups, and some adjusted their costumes. I stood by the decorated facade of a pawn shop. It was easy for me to spot the Hulk and Wonder Woman. My brother hugged Gracey, the Wonder Woman, and she hugged him back. Probably, saying good luck. I followed close behind them as our feet hit the pavement running.
I watched them; it seemed as if they were having a good time. Every time I saw my brother’s face, he had a smile on it. My plan was working. I did not mind sharing my brother with Gracey, I was used to her presence, and she was from our community. At one point, they stopped for water, and Gracey fed water to my brother. Stop with the judging; my brother’s hands were inside the hulk gloves; he had difficulty holding the water bottle to drink. They were bonding, but not a sister-brother bond as my brother thought.
They stopped where my parents stood. I stayed back to tie my imaginary loose laces. After they left, I ran up to Mom; Dad had stepped away from the group. I panted kisses and hugged Mom. She looked confused.
“Didn’t you just left here with your brother?” she asked.
“No, Mom! I answered, acting perplexed as well.” I am trying to catch up with him.”
“Your brother just left with,” she trailed off and put her knuckles up to her chin. I put the face mask back on to hide my facial expressions and leered at Jasmine. She looked sad; her head hung with embarrassment. Her boyfriend was a cheater. I know that you would agree with me that baby sisters were the best.
“Bye, Mom. See you later at home.” I gave Jasmine another look and sped up to catch my brother. But I could not find them in the sea of colorful characters. They were nowhere in sight. I called Gracey, but the call went to her voicemail.
I finished that race without seeing them. I drove Gracey’s car back to our meeting place and waited. Then, my phone rang. It was my brother. I did not answer. I listened to the voicemail, and he was mad with me. He had figured out the Gracey was his Wonder Woman. His car pulled up in front of me, and he came out. He walked toward my truculent demeanor. I was ready to defend my actions. Gracey came out without her mask too.
“What is your problem?” he asked as soon as I got out of the car. “What kind of a joke was that?” he uttered. His lips quivered. He was angry, which I had expected. Nonetheless, the suspicion was packaged and delivered to Jasmine successfully. Don’t worry about my brother. I knew how to counteract his temper, remember I grew up with this guy.
“It was not a joke,” I began to preach. “Why did you bring that girl here? We had shared this holiday tradition for as long as I could remember. Remember we performed a blood promise, and swore that wherever we were in the world, we would come back for this event, as long as there was a costume run, but you ruined it by bringing her here. Did you consider how I would feel? What came over you?” I reeled the questions without giving him a chance to answer any. I wanted him to feel guilty. It worked! He wiped the invisible sweat from his forehead, a sign that he had surrendered.
“I am sorry, Sis.” I should have said something to you. I brought Jasmine here to surprise you. Mom and Dad knew about her. I told them not to say anything to you. I thought you of all persons would be happy for me. I guess you do not like her.”
“No, I don’t like her. She is not your type. Gracey is the one for you.”
He turned around and looked at Gracey, and they exchanged a look that I could only describe as a sexual attraction.
Jasmine broke it off with my brother. Her reason was that my brother was a cheater, even when he tried to explain that he was not aware of the conspiracy. She believed that I had devised the plan so my brother could be with his ex-girlfriend. If you believed that was wickedness, I don’t care one bit what you or she thought. I was happy because he and Gracey were back together. My mother dropped her at the airport, and she went back to New York. We had fun at the Haunted House. My brother and I strengthened our bond like we did when we were children, with the fake blood they used for props on the lifeless monsters that lurked in the dark.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGuFdT3vVnq1a2RxfCWaVSw
Story Prompt Courtesy of Write The Story – Piccadilly