"I don't know."
"Where'd they go?"
"I don't know."
"Why'd they leave us?"
"I don't know."
"Are you gonna leave me?"
"No."
"How come?"
"I love you Lil' bro. It's my job to keep you safe."
These words are the words Bro will always remember. Dave was only 8 and scared out of his mind. They were sitting in a blanket fort in their makeshift living room, hiding from the thunder. Dave's little hands were wrapped by Bro's. The two were what Dave called thunder buddies. Dave had always been afraid of the thunder and even now, 5 years after that day, he still was. Bro was still his thunder buddy. They still made that blanket fort and they still stayed up late until the storms ended. Though these storms in Texas were rare Bro always enjoyed when the two bonded during those nights. Dave never spoke to bro about those nights and Bro never tried to bring it up. At this moment Bro was calling for delivery. Dave was groaning. Pizza again? When was he going to get some real homecooked food? Dave knew he wasn't allowed to complain. He knew he'd end up wanting something and Bro would deny it. Dave got up from the sunken in couch, walking to the window, opening the curtain and staring outside. Clouds? No way! Were they gonna get some rain? They sure as hell needed it. Bro finished ordering and hung up the phone, looking over and noticing Dave standing at the window.
"You all cool there little man?" He asked.
"Fine. It's just..." Dave mumbled.
Bro raised an eyebrow. "Just what?" He asked, leaning in the space between the kitchen and front room. Dave pointed out the window, still staring. "Cloud build up.: He muttered.
Bro walked over to the window, nudging the spaced out Dave aside to look out the window. "Would ya look at that..." He mumbled. Was it going to rain? Maybe storm? Bro sure hoped so. Maybe he'd get to spend time with Dave again! He disliked Dave's scared expressions but he couldn't help but enjoy the irony and shades-free nights where they actually spent time together. After some time with video games and rapid cursing at each other the pizza came. Bro did what he had to do and set the pizza box on the floor of the front room. "Dinner." He stated. He and Dave sat down, turning the tv to some kids' network and watching shows like 'Dora The Explorer' while eating their dinner. They both were ridiculous enough to answer every question the cartoon character asked the audience. After their time with the tv and food Dave and Bro sat against each other's backs. The kids' network had turned to something even pre-schoolers would know was bullshit. Bro was the first to do something, getting up and throwing away the empty pizza box. "Hey little bro. Mind checkin' outside for me?" Bro mumbled as he walked back to his little brother. Dave looked out the window, the eyes behind his shades instantly being overcome with shock. "Bro..." Dave mumbled.
"Sup?" "Get the fort ready. I'll grab the flashlights."
And so the old blanket fort was rebuilt and the brothers were once again hand in hand, getting the youngest through the storm. Dave stayed calm through most of the night, feeling safe within their fort and next to his big brother. The shades had come off and the irony had ceased. After not all too long the storm left them and the siblings embraced. Dave let a smile escape. "Bro?..." Dave mumbled, the smile fading.
"Yeah?" "Where are our parents?"
"I don't know."
"Where'd they go?"
"I don't know."
"Why'd they leave us?"
"I don't know."
"Are you gonna leave me?"
"No."
"How come?" "I love you Lil' bro. It's my job to keep you safe."
They both paused.
"Well you're doing a hell of a good job."