Wednesday, December 9, 2009

[3] Christmas

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My mom is big on Christmas. Pete wasn't that big on it, and neither was I. But my mom was. She brought out a couple trees for some rooms in the house. Pete and I both had a mini tree in our rooms. The whole house was decorated, not to mention our front yard which had reindeer scattered all over it as if they were prancing around on our lawn. My mom had a tendancy to try and get our house in the same festive mood, but it never worked. Pete kinda got into this mood, very pessimistic. My mom had had her iPod speakers screeching out Christmas balads since Thanksgiving. By Christmas, it's kinda just like, stop?

We were fourteen when Pete got the best Christmas present of all. My aunt Lucy and my Uncle Scott came in from Maine with their girls Julianna and Jaymi. We call them Jewels and Jay. Jewels was twelve and Jay was nine. Pete loved them to death. Especially Jay. Jewels was in the whole teen stage, with the loads of eyeliner and wearing Hollister and Abercrombie everywhere. Jay was still in cute little girl stage. My Aunt Lucy is really cool. She's one of those moms who had kids, but still went out clubbing on Friday night. She had long platinum blonde hair that looked like a Pantene commercial. She had big green eyes and the longest eyelashes ever. My Uncle Scott is really laid back as well.

On the afternoon that they arrived, Pete set out with Jay to make some Christmas cookies. They made about three dozen. They made Christmas trees, stars, bells, and snowmen. They iced them, and then sprinkled on sprinkles.

The first dozen was gone in the first couple minutes.

Christmas morning, Pete had fallen asleep on the couch the night before, so he was the first person downstairs. I came thundering down the stirs just to see the cookies that my mom had set out--as she always did-- disappear into Pete's mouth. I plopped onto the couch next to him.

"Merry Christmas, bro," I said hugging him.

"Merry Christmas, Braxton." He hugged me back. Even though he was my brother, we were really close. He kept his arm around me during the whole present opening. My dog, Wesley curled up next to me. He's a Westie. His fur is really long, and you can only see his eyes and nose. Not even his mouth.

Aunt Lucy, Uncle Scott, Jay, and Jewels came running down the stairs with my parents behind them. Pete looked dead. The day before, he had had to go get chemo so he was drained. Getting chemo on Christmas Eve should be illegal. Aunt Lucy and my mom got some home decoration stuff. My dad and Uncle Scott got tools. Typical. Jewels got a bunch of Hollister and Abercrombie clothes, plus a new cell phone since apparently their contract was up. Jay got some cute clothes from Aeropostale and her first cell phone. She was very excited, showing Pete all about how to use it. I got some books and a new iPod.

When it came time for Pete. There were no presents left. He looked upset. "Where's my presents?" he asked.

My mom and dad smiled at each other. "Honey, we only got you one present. It's outside in the back yard," my mom said.

Pete jumped up and hurried outside. Sitting out back, with a red ribbon tied around his neck with a big bow, was a Border Collie dog. Pete jumped up and down laughing. He hurried out to the dog, but slowed when he got to it so he wouldn't scare it.

"Come here," he said bending over andpatting his knee. The dog instantly came bounding up to Pete, licking his face. Pete started laughing. "Is it a girl or a boy?" Pete called to us.

"It's a girl," my mom called back.

He named her Holly.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

[2] The Cancer


My brother's name is Pete. We found out about the cancer when we were twelve. It was our birthday. We were all off to the beach that day. The family would to meet us there and we would have a picnic. Pete had just gotten out of the shower and it was my turn. Even though we were teenagers, we had to share a bathroom. The phone rang. Mom went to answer.

Mom: What? But he's only twelve.

Mom bursts into tears. Pete, in a towel, peers around the side of the bathroom door. I creep up behind him. I was in my swim suit.

Mom: How much longer?

By the look on her face. It didn't seem long. Pete went into the bathroom. He shut the door. I went back in my room.

[1] From The Start


My brother once told me that he would always be there for me. And he had been. Even before we were born. He was just in the bubble next door. We’re twins, you see. Fraternal twins born on June seventh, weighing in with me at five pounds, six ounces; and my brother at six pounds, one ounce.

He had always been there for me. He was always there to talk, cheer me up, or kick some ass. He was always busy, but he always made time for me. He played soccer, paintball, ice hockey, and basketball. He already had a scholarship on ice hockey. He was full of life, joking all the time, and always wanting to have a good time. He was a big partier, but he was responsible. He had saved up once he found out he was on scholarship for a BMW 3 series. It was a beauty. He loved driving that.

This was before they found the cancer.