"Get 'em Slim, get him!"
Andy laughed as his young, blond-headed brother fell left and right attempting to grab the plump chicken. Dust flew when Slim finally landed with a thud on the cool ground. The chicken threw its' beak in the air and strutted away. Andy, chuckling so hard, fell to ground too. He rolled in the dirt grabbing his stomach; the six year old giggled til he was unable to breathe. Slim, being the older brother and knowing ways of being stealthy, meticulously and silently crawled over to his brother. As if a lion stalking prey, Slim pounced upon Andy. He grabbed him beneath the armpits and flung him in the air.
Though it was only a few feet in the air, to a small-sized Andy he felt as if he was flying. After being caught, both brothers fell onto a hay pile; laughter dying down as they both grew tired.
"That chicken sure gots the moves!" Andy stated while grinning.
"It won't be so lucky next time!" Slim replied.
In the distance, the crack of a whip echoed across the valley followed by the neighing of horses. Slim sat up and bit the knuckle of his thumb. He began cleaning the hay from his clothes when his brother's voice broke the silence and his thoughts.
"Slim?" The small, squeaky voice asked. "Your'd the bestest big brotha ever! I hope we always get to live at the relay station!
Slim couldn't help but smile at his brother's innocence. He rustled Andy's hair and helped his brother up.
"Wanna learn how to hitch up the team?" Slim asked.
"Only if I get to be the wagon master!" Andy replied.
"Deal!"
The two walked into the barn laughing and joking just as the dust settled from the arrival of the stage.
