The cry the young boy let out caught the attention of his older brother who had been pacing the floor of his bedroom.
"Joe are you ok buddy?" Kevin asked with a concerned look etched on his face. Stopping his pacing to look over at the rough outline of his baby brother's body. He looked over at the clock it read 11:30 sighing and thanking god it was Summer Vacation and he wouldn't have to worry about school for three whole months. He slowly felt his away over to Joe's bed he would have to remember to pickup their room tomorrow, he thought as he tripped over one of Joe's toys laying sprawled on the floor. It was getting bad in there.
"You ok Joey?" Kevin's older brother instincts kicking in wrapped his arm around his little brother's shoulders.
–Sniff- "Yeah Kevin I am fine don't worry about it." Joe's voice started cracking as he swallowed the tears and sob that threaten to escape.
"No, you're not your horrible liar and I can tell when you're lying." Kevin said smiling and genteelly cupping his little brothers face in his hands, "Now tell me what is wrong?"
"I am scared!" said Joe breaking the strong connection of the two brothers eyes and sliding over on his unmade bed so he would be out of reach of Kevin. Kevin's eyes grew big with fear and worry. He had never liked any of his little brothers feeling horrible. Whether that is they were upset or frustrated or even if they just had a cold, it hurt him to see his little brothers not happy. 'I am the older brother,' Kevin always thought,' I am supposed to protect them from feeling this way.' He was snapped out of his roaming thoughts when he heard a sniff come out of Joe's nose again. Scooting over so that he was once again sitting next to Joe he threw his arm around him. While Joe snuggled into Kevin's shoulder.
"Why are you scared Joey?" Kevin whispered in his ear.
"Mom" Joe whispered so quietly Kevin could barely make it out. It was the one word the scared Kevin also.
