Irrespon-sibling
“Take care of Francine, ok Howard?” Dad called.
“Yeah, okay.” my brother replied.
“Bye, Francine!” My mom hugged me. I hugged back with my skinny arms.
The door closed as my parents disappeared outside. The car engine roared and slowly faded away. Great. I thought. Stuck with my annoying brother. But hey, it can’t be that bad, right?
“Hey, you hungry?” Howard asked. I stared hard at the table It was deserted of any food to eat. How pleasant. Eating food cooked by my brother. Before I could protest, my stomach rumbled inside me. My mouth felt dry and I groaned.
“Alright,” I mumbled. “We can have noodles.”
I don’t want to eat my brother’s cooking! Maybe I can have yogurt. I took out some yogurt from the fridge. I loved yogurt. I loved the cool liquid jumbling around in my mouth. Yogurt is practically a necessity to me. I felt a cool breeze escaping the fridge and blowing against my face as I snatched the yogurt bar.
“Yikes!” I screamed as I grabbed the frigid stick. Immediately I dropped the yogurt on the floor. CLONK. I knelt down and poked it. It felt rock hard.
“Why is it frozen? How will I eat it? It’ll take forever to thaw! Why is this happening?”
The questions tumbled out of my mouth as a waterfall falls over a cliff. What a fuss I’m making! I felt hot embarrassment rising to my cheeks. I knelt lower in case my brother could see. Just calm down and get up. I told myself. Maybe he won’t notice.
“Whoa! Just put it in the microwave for a while!” my brother answered.
I sighed. Why was I making such a big deal? Well, at least my brother can’t see my cheeks getting brighter. I walked on the cold tiles of the kitchen floor towards the microwave and dropped the yogurt stick in. The wafty smell of pudding drifted out of the old microwave. Little stains clung to the sides of it. I paused. How long should I heat it?
“Try 1 minute,” my brother advised. I pushed the numbers: 1, 0, 0. Click. The microwave started humming that old, creaky sound it made. We have to get a new one. I thought.
“Ok, done with the noodles,” Howard announced. I quickly pulled out a fork and sat down at the table. Yum… delicious noodles! I thought dreamily. I licked my lips. Yummy! Yummy! Yummy noodles!
BLAM! A big splat sound followed the crash. The creaky humming of the microwave stopped short. Oh no. I thought. My heart raced faster. What happened?
I dashed back to the microwave and slowly and steadily, I opened it. Bad idea. Yogurt began to spill out of the dirty box.
“HOWARD!!!” I screeched.
He laughed hysterically. I clenched my fists in anger. I felt as if steam came rising out of my ears. I’m sure my head is burning red. Then I remembered it was partly my fault. I should be more responsible and listen to my brain, not that jerk brother’s. I reminded myself.
I cooled down my head and sighed. Things could go worse. I took a paper towel and started cleaning up the old microwave. My brother is so annoying! I thought angrily. I scrubbed every last yogurt stain. I turned around and saw my brother pouring noodles out of the pan. At least I can have some Ramen noodles. I can taste the beef flavor in my mouth already!
Then disaster struck again. Howard blinked his eyes wide as he saw the noodles being poured. Trust him to pour some noodles and you get Ramen in the sink! I sighed. My brother blinked again.
“I am not eating that!” I groaned.
“Suit yourself.” He took a pair of chopsticks and began eating noodles out of that dirty sink! I made my yuck face. Nothing could go worse!
I should know that I’m not going to have dinner tonight. I sighed yet again as I took out a can of chili. Reluctantly, I handed it to my brother to make. I just hope he doesn’t mess up again! I imagined Howard with a can opener, trying to open the chili can. I tried to feel confident and made a weak smile. I mean, he already messed up. Can he ruin this night even more?
Apparently, yes.
I looked to see my brother with a silver can. I peered closer and gasped. Oh no! He put chili IN A CAN!!! How could anyone eat that? The can looked rusty too. My parents sure wouldn’t do that. Why couldn’t they be here? I began to feel tears pushing behind my eyelids. Why can’t this be a normal night? I thought. I would’ve cried it out. I would’ve expressed my hurt feelings. But I couldn’t. I should at least try to ignore him, that Howard. Siblings are monsters in your house that can’t possibly be related to you, or anyone else. I giggled a little bit at my own joke. I felt the tears dry out.
I decided to watch T.V. Finally, some joy tonight! I watched SpongeBob on the screen, blowing bubbles with Patrick. SpongeBob laughed his squeaky laugh. If only I were so happy. I thought. Then the screen went blank and the lights went out. Oh great.
“Is this some kind of joke?!?” I began wailing. This night of disaster will never end, will it? I felt a warm hand grasp my arm and spin me into the closet.
“You got to get out and find the cereal!” I heard my brother tease me.
“HOWARD!” I yelled for the second time that night. Complete darkness surrounded me. I felt tears pushing back again, except that they were streaming down my cheeks now. Maybe, if I can find the cereal, that excuse for a brother will leave me alone and I can have a little snack. I dried my tears and stood up. I won’t be pushed around anymore! I slammed the door open and immediately fell over. CRASH! Well, there goes the pot.
“Getting warmer!” I heard Howard call. Of course I can’t trust him. I crawled away from his voice. Of course, the Cheerios are right behind me. I sighed in relief as I grabbed the grubby Cheerios box and happily munched in the dark.
Ring! It’s the sound of the door opening!
“What’s going on?” My dad’s voice boomed.
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So yes, I got in trouble. So did my (jerk) brother. Ever since then, though, I knew I would try to do what I was supposed to do when responsibility dropped right in front of me. For how do adults take big responsibilities when not taking little responsibilities in childhood? Kids need responsibility. I’ll be a good kid. I said then.
And so far, I’ve tried my best.
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