MY LOVELY LOSS --- Chapter 1. PLEASE read and comment

by Leira R. in California

My Lovely Loss

            By Leira R. Gaudium          

I never could understand my little brother. He’s always seen the world as a beautiful place – a place to love and laugh and grow. When he was given an opportunity, he always took advantage of it. My dad would sometimes smile at him saying, “That’s Jacob, always living life to the fullest.” I can’t remember a day when my brother didn’t do something to make me laugh. It just bewildered me that he appeared so much wiser than most adults that I know. And he is only seven-years-old! I love my little brother and I would die for him if I had to.

          I quietly sat there on the swing beside him and watched as he tried to reach the stars. I could see the expression of wonder in his big blue eyes as he gazed upon the heavens. What was he thinking? I would give anything to see the world through my brother’s eyes for just one day.

It was a beautiful night. The stars were like stunning diamonds embroidered on a satin, navy blue blanket. Other than the sound of chirping crickets and the squeaking of the swings, there was an unbreakable silence. I gazed at my brother admiring his confidence. His thick brunette hair was blowing in the wind as he swung forward and back. I had just picked him up from his first swimming lesson. He was still wearing his red swimming trunks and a plain black t-shirt. He told me he was not ready to go back home, yet, so I told him we would take a detour to the park then walk the rest of the way home. For some reason, it was always difficult for me to tell my little brother “no.”

Finally, Jacob broke the silence.

“Don’t you just love the stars? They make me feel so small. Well, I guess adults make me feel small too,” he said with a laugh, “but everything just feels different when I see the stars. My world just gets a little…brighter. What do you think about them?”

“Uh, they’re cool. But you know me, Jakey, I’m not as deep as you,” I replied.

“Athena, don’t say that. Of course you are! You just need to have a little more faith in yourself. Trust me.” I stared at him – half baffled and half confused. Where does this kid come up with this stuff? He smiled at me. “What?” he inquired.

“You’re deceiving, you know that. You’re only seven and you talk like you are thirty.”

“First of all, I’m going to be eight in two days. Second, I’m not deceiving. People are sometimes just too lazy to look passed what they see on the outside. Don’t judge a book by its cover, Sissy.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

“I’m always right,” he teased. We both laughed together. My brother is my best friend. For some reason, I felt like I could talk to him about anything – even though he is six years younger than me. He is my one and only confidant, and I have no idea what I would do without him.

Suddenly, my brother and I were misted by the park’s sprinklers as they popped up from the grass. It startled us both.

“Oh, that’s just fantastic,” I complained. “We’re going to get drenched crossing that grass.”

“Do me a favor, Athena, and try to look on the bright side for once in your life,” Jacob protested.

Then he took off running through the sprinklers. I had no other alternative but to chase after him. I tried to avoid the sprinklers as much as possible. He ran around the lawn laughing and giggling and having the time of his life. My favorite quality about my brother…he doesn’t care. You can call him weird or insane, but he will just disregard it. If he feels it’s right, he will do it and could care less what someone says about him. I would do anything to be like that.

“Come on, Sis!” he exclaimed as he grabbed me by the hand and pulled me into his water wonderland. He dragged me around the entire area until I was as wet as him. We laughed at each other as we both were soaked to the bone. He pulled me to the ground and we both rolled down the hill. I was cold and extremely wet, but I can honestly say that I had an amazing time that night.

I finally broke away from him and reached the sidewalk. I called to him, “Jake, let’s go!” He ran to me and hugged me as tight as he could.

“I love you, Sis,” he said

“I love you too Jakey. Come on, we better get going.” With that, we both walked the three blocks home. When we finally arrived at the house, our parents were sitting on the couch watching TV and waiting for us.

“There you guys are! We were getting worried,” my mom informed.

“We’re alright, Mom. I wanted to stop at the park for a little bit,” Jacob explained.

“Why didn’t you call, Hun?” my mom asked me.

“My phone died. I forgot to charge it before I left. Sorry, Mom.”

  My dad stared at us confused. “Why are you guys all wet?”

“The sprinklers turned on before we left the park,” I told my dad. “We had to run through them.”

“Yeah, it was awesome!” Jake chimed in.

“Well the both of you run upstairs and get ready for bed. I’ll be there to tell you goodnight in a little while Jake,” my mother bade.

“OK, mom,” Jake and I both replied. We ran up stairs and did as we were told. The hot shower water felt amazing against my freezing cold skin. I brushed my teeth, combed my hair, and put on my pajamas. As I crawled into my nice warm bed and was about to turn off the lights, a small figure appeared in my doorway. It was Jake with his race car pajamas and damp hair.

“I just came to say good night, Sissy,” said Jake.

“Night, Jakey. And thanks,” I replied.

“For what?” he asked innocently.

“For being you.” He smiled and walked to his room. He couldn’t see it but I smiled right back at him.

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