I'm a Good Brother

I dropped Yali off with Irish and her friend, Eleda, at about nine o’clock that morning. Most two year-olds don’t get to spend their Thursday mornings at a coffee house with two college students, the lucky duck. A plate of sliced oranges awaited him. I knew he wouldn’t miss me much when treats like that were on the table.

A couple of hours later I was in the middle of dishing out Domino’s to bunches of hungry students in the cafeteria. The day was mild out, and the first batch of kids headed topside for recess. The 3rd and 4th graders did not receive that luxury. We were in for another rainstorm. I love this weather. By the time I clocked out at noon, the wind was blowing those raindrops wild-like past the windows, so I waited inside to finish off some cheese pizza – worker’s comp – to avoid a soggy slice.

Back at the Big House, the rain had already left. Emerald green grass, half-blossom half-green-budded woods, sky half-blue, half-gray. The signs of St. Louis spring.

When I walked in the door, Yali was napping heavy in the other room near Mom, trying to shake a sinus infection. Francis was also asleep. While Carrie-Bri and I discussed the upcoming foundation repair, Francis occasionally interrupted with an unconscious snort.

Just after three o’clock. Carpool. Puck was already waiting for me in the hallway.

“MOM! Where WERE YOU?” he practically yelled down the hallway, somewhat concerned. “Mr. V already called my number!”

I wasn’t sure how that was possible, seeing as I had just walked in the door. But either way, the gang took off running with Yali, Puck pausing temporarily to fish another discarded piece of cardboard out of the recycling bins.

The drive home was its own trip, as usual. I could see both boys in the rearview mirror, prodding and poking at each other.

“YALI! STOP EATING YOUR LEG! WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU, BOY?”

After a Puck-proof dinner of more pork steak, guacamole, and rice, I heard Puck consoling a wailing Yali running around the living room without his shirt on.

“Here, Yali, here. You can have this chip to eat. I’m a very good brother to you, Yali.”