Niko sat at the kitchen table, doing his homework. He loved doing schoolwork. Everything made sense. It was calming and gave him a sense of accomplishment and pride at knowing the right answers. Three year old Cal came into the room, moving slowly and quietly, which was totally unlike his hyper little brother. Cal came and leaned his slight weight against Niko's shoulder.

"What's up, little brother?"

Cal looked up through black bangs. Niko was going to have to try to cut his little brother's hair soon, his thick hair stayed in his eyes. "Nik, what's a monster?" Cal spoke quietly.

"Who told you about monsters?"

Cal dropped his eyes, "Mom says I a monster just like my dad, so what's a monster?"

Niko really didn't want to have this talk, so he decided to try to distract Cal, "Cal, what do I tell you?"

Cal put a scowl on his little face, "Cal, eat you vegables! Cal, keen up you mess!"

Niko couldn't help but laugh. He had said those very things at dinner almost every night, and probably would for the rest of his life, "No, Cal. What do I tell you about Sophia?"

Cal stood up straight as if he were reciting a lesson, "Sophia always lies."

"You are not a monster. You are my favorite little brother in the whole wide world!" Niko swooped Cal up into his arms and swung him around until he started to giggle, "Let's go get your bath and I will read you a story from the new book I got from the library. It's all about pirates."

Cal grinned. He loved pirate stories, "Race you to the tub!"