It happened so fast Derek could barely register what was going on.
One second, Marti was perched up on the tree branch, wearing a plastic tiara and telling him something about fairies and princesses and Isabel's unicorn, whoever that was. The only unicorn Derek was familiar with was named Charlie.
And then, all of a sudden, Marti was sprawled out on the grass in front of him. Crying. He hated when Marti cried. And this wasn't the I-wanted-a-cookie-and-I-didn't-get-one cry or the Edwin-took-my-doll-and-won't-give-her-back cry. This was the I'm-really-in-pain-help-me-Derek cry.
Help me, Derek.
Those three words, those three tiny words in that little tiny voice were ringing in his ears, and he knew he should do something—had to do something—to help his little sister.
But he froze instead.
Luckily, Casey was over in a second, comforting Marti and cleaning up her leg and calling George on her cell phone all at the same time. And then George and Casey and Nora were lifting Marti into the car, and Nora was yelling something about some disgusting sounding casserole, and George was saying something about picking Lizzie up from practice at 5, and Derek was still standing there.
In that exact spot next to the tree. Staring at nothing. Replaying Marti's cries for help in his head.
He heard Casey approaching behind him and braced himself for the lecture that was sure to follow. He could imagine what she was going to say. Why didn't you get up and help her? How could just stand there like a moron when she was obviously in pain? Don't you know that these things need attention immediately? What if I hadn't been here? Were you just going to let your sister lay on the ground crying?
"My mom thinks it's probably not even broken," she murmured instead. "It's probably just a sprain."
Her soft tone shocked him and he turned to meet her eyes. She was wearing a gentle, understanding expression, and he felt a whirlwind of emotions stir inside of himself. Guilt, fear, shame, and ultimately thankfulness for Casey's quick thinking overcame him. He wasn't sure how to convey them.
He reached over and gave her hand a little squeeze. She squeezed back, giving him a small smile, before declaring that Marti would be okay. The moment was brief and Casey quickly turned back into the house to start heating the casserole. But those few seconds with the neurotic brunette who had completely disrupted his life gave Derek all the comfort and understanding he needed.