When I looked towards the person who scared me, I saw an old, all to familiar face. "Hey new baby sister! What are you watching?"said my old body. "It's this really cool show where a girl turns into a princess because her mommy marries the king! She even has a magic necklace! I wish I had a magic necklace."
"You are right. It does sound pretty cool. Do you mind if I watch it with you," David asks as he starts to sit down. I nod my head as I stare mesmerized by the show. I become engrossed in what is happening that I fail to realize David staring at me with admiration and sympathy. After the episode ends, he grabs the controller and shuts the television off. I turn around in my seat and give him Melody's signature pouting puppy face. He laughs saying, "I can now completely understand why I always got what I want. That face is so cute." That got me to freeze and lose myself and snap back into the reality of the situation. My face turns into a somber frown and my eyes start to water.
"Wait, no! Please don't cry. I was just trying to make you feel normal. I am sorry. I am struggling some too. I am still trying to realize everything. It is pretty hard being a big boy all of a sudden instead of a little girl. I feel like I missed growing up. I can't even imagine how you feel knowing that you have to do that all over again, let alone as a girl." And with that comment, I burst into inconsolable tears. David schooches over, places me on his lap, and envelopes me into a warm hug. We sit there and cry together for a while until I start to try to calm down. "It is ok. We are going to be ok. Just breathe for me," David says. I start sucking in really hard and fast trying to settle myself. After a bit of fast hard breaths, something lighthearted breaks the tension in the room. I start to hiccup. High pitched squeaks echo throughout the room. Upon hearing the hiccups, David starts to laugh. His laughter is contagious and I start to giggle too with hiccups happening intermittenly.
After we collect ourselves from the emotional roller coaster, David picks me up in between my armpits and flips me around in his lap so we are face to face. "I just want you to know that I will always be here for you. I am your big brother now and that means that I will protect you from everything. The scary nightmares and thoughts, the pestering from your sisters, and from the boys that come chasing after you. I love you and I just wanted you to know that. I am here to help you and would love it if you could help me too. Being a big brother is a lot of work, so I would love some tips and tricks."
I stare teary-eyed into my brother's face, then wrap him in the biggest hug my little arms can muster. "I love you too. Thank you so much. I am just so scared and worried and I don't know what to do. I will do anything for you. I want you to be the best person ever. You are so nice and fun and kind and very funny. You can definitely be a great big brother and I will definitely help you out." David replies by squeezing me in his armor and says," I want you to be the best person ever. You are sweet and supportive and a great listener and so full of life. You will make the perfect little sister." As we wrap up our lovefest, our mother walks in and tells us to get up and get a move on. It is time for the amusement park!