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Taking Care
by faust
Well, big brother, let me do that for ya. I have your comb here already, and—what? 'course I'm using your comb. I know you find it in-high-jenic to use someone else's comb. Haven't fergotten that scolding.
Woah, your hair's gotten mighty long. You jest be glad Pa ain't seeing this. He always thinks it's Joe who don't want to go to the barber, but I know it you who's always stalling. Naw, I don' tell him. I ain't no telltale, you know that. Always kept your secrets, right? Only this time I should have told...
Boy, your hair gets curly when it's long! Naw, don' worry, I ain't laying it in no curls. Joe would, but I know you like it straight. And you want ta look good for the ladies, doncha?
Come on, Adam, you know they gonna come. Don' tell me you ain't seen how the ladies ogle you. They do. All the gals at Miss Kitty's—what? Yeah, I know you don't care for them gals, but they care for you, that's for sure. And Miss Abigail—now that ain't my fault, Adam, that was all Joe's idea. I jest—well, but it was funny, you hafta admit that, Adam.
Oh, lookee here, Adam, there's a little spider in your hair. I always said your hair is so thick, some day a bird's gonna built its nest in it. Alright, alright, I'm gonna take it out.
You look mighty fine, Adam. That white shirt and black jacket—you look like you gonna go to your wedding today. Jest don't bite me head off, Adam, I know you don't need someone else to pester you about settling down and have a family. I know you never found the right gal for that. What? The right lady, yeah, I know.
I'd really like to do more for you, but I reckon there's nothing left now. Should have done somethin' before...I would have come with you, but of course, you wanted to go alone. Ain't never been the one to ask for help, are you? Naw, not Adam, great pertector of the family. Only this time you needed more pertection than us.
I'm awfully angry with you, Adam. Naw, I ain't calming down. This time you hafta listen. I'm mad at you, and I ain't gonna forgive you, hear me? And it ain't because of Pa or Little Joe. This time I'm mad at you for myself. Because now I'm the big brother, an' I dunno how to be that.
Damn you, Adam, for getting yourself killed, damn you.
Dammit, Adam...I love you.
*** fin ***