Virgil rarely gets annoyed with his brothers. He is known for being calm and placid. Even when Gordon erased the ten-thousand-word essay off his computer the day before it was due did he get really angry.
But today. Today is different. Today he had plans. He has been trying to get Veronica to go out with him for weeks. And she finally said yes. The most popular girl in school has agreed to date him.
Waking up to a glorious spring morning, Virgil thinks nothing is going to go wrong. His father and Scott have taken a trip to Boston to look at colleges even though he isn't graduating until next June. John is on a school trip all weekend so it just Alan and Gordon home with himself and grandma.
The terrible two are making up for the lack of people by being as noisy and disruptive as possible! But he is not about to let that get in the way of his date. Rolling over on the bed until he finds himself on the floor, Virgil pulls himself up onto his knees and then feet.
"Okay. I am up" he says to himself. The house is quiet. Too quiet for seven thirty on a Saturday morning with a hyperactive four-year-old and an even worse eight hear old! Normally by now their bedroom is a war zone which has been abandoned for the lounge and Saturday morning cartoons.
Deciding to check that out before anything else, Virgil quietly opens the door to his youngest brother's bedroom.
Alan's bed is empty, well it is devoid of human life anyway. The duvet is heaped into a large pile in the middle with hundreds of soft toys taking refuge all over the bed. How he has room too sleep in it Virgil will never know!
There is a Gordon shaped lump in the other bed in the room. Picking his way across the rubbish, narrowly avoiding falling flat on his face, Virgil sits down on the edge of the bed. His big brother senses are tingling unpleasantly as he lowers the blanket. "You okay?" Virgil asks.
"Yeah why?" Gordon replies sleepily.
"Well you're still in bed on a Saturday morning when you could be downstairs wrecking the house!" Virgil says. "And you look terrible!"
"Back at you bro!" Gordon says pulling the blanket back up over his head clearly telling Virgil to leave him alone.
"Okay go back to sleep" Virgil orders leaving him in peace.
Maybe this really is his lucky day and nothing is going to go wrong.
Deciding that he needs coffee before he showers Virgil starts down the stairs, hoping to find Alan in the lounge happily watching cartoons and not creating mayhem.
Only the kitchen is a disaster zone, cereal is everywhere and there is milk all over the table from where he has tried to make breakfast.
"ALAN!" Virgil calls.
The pint sized blonde comes padding into the kitchen. Still in his pyjamas, the red plaid ones Virgil got him for Christmas in an attempt too mould him into more of a mini Virgil! His hair is sticking up at the side from where he has slept on it. "Yes" he says looking up at him.
"Clean this mess up before grandma gets up" Virgil demands, starting to scoop beans into the top of the coffee pot.
Alan glares at him, folding his arms in front of his chest. "What's in it for me" he demands Gordon style.
"You don't get told off by grandma" Virgil replies. Rolling his eyes and reaching up for his favourite mug. A gift from Scott when he was finally deemed old enough to drink coffee. Aptly sloganed "stroppy before coffee".
"You do it" Alan replies leaving the kitchen to Virgil and going back to the lounge.
There is no way Virgil is putting up with that! Abandoning the coffee, he follows Alan into the lounge and snaps the tv off, pocketing the remote.
"Viiiiiiiiirgil" Alan whines "give it back!"
"Nope. Not until you have cleaned up your mess. Come on I will help" Virgil replies holding his hand out for Alan to take.
Together they put the kitchen back the way it was. Virgil doing most of the work, but ensuring his youngest brother pulls his weight. "Better. Okay you pain in the butt you can go now"
"I'm telling grandma you called me names. Then you'll get grounded" Alan replies.
"You do, and I will sell you on eBay!" Virgil counter threatens.
"Gordy said he tried that but no one wanted me" Alan says.
"Yeah well you are an annoying little brat" Virgil informs him.
"Don't pick on your brother Virgil" grandma says entering the room, pouring herself a coffee and downing it quickly.
Virgil sighs, it has always been this way, Gordon and Alan are both spoiled by both his father and grandmother, and he is used to it not to bother with a counter argument. "Sorry Al" Virgil says.
"Can I have the remote back?" Alan asks. "Virgil stole it from me, and I wasn't doing anything naughty!"
"Virgil…" Grandma warns.
"Fine. I am going to get ready, keep that thing away from me" Virgil replies, slapping the remote into Alan's hand and leaving the kitchen, making sure he brings his coffee with him.
"Attitude, or you aren't going anywhere" Grandma threatens, the words are enough to bring him back into line. "And get Gordon up, he has extra swim practise at ten-thirty to help him prepare for next weekend."
"Will do" Virgil calls back over his shoulder and makes a second attempt to get Gordon out of bed.
"Come on Fish, Grandma is already on the warpath down there. It is time to get up" Virgil says, grabbing the blanket and pulling it off him.
Gordon rolls over to face Virgil, before allowing him to pull him up into a sitting position. "I'm up" Gordon tells him, rubbing his eyes with his hands.
"Are you okay Gords?" Virgil asks, he has never seen him sleep so late at the weekend before.
"Yeah, just tired I guess" Gordon replies. "What are you going to do with Alan while Grandma and I are out?"
"Excuse me?" Virgil says, chocking on his drink.
"You are babysitting Alan" Gordon insists.
"No I am not! I have a date. Remember?" Virgil replies.
"But Grandma said last night. Remember?" Gordon says, with his usual sarcasm, as it is clear that Virgil does not have a clue, and the conversation was lost in a combination of the pizza and soda they had for dinner.
Leaving Gordon to get up, Virgil races back down the stairs and into the kitchen where Grandma is wrestling with bread, intending to make toast but the slices are blackened and burned. Covering the slices in butter, she puts them on a plate for Gordon.
"Grandma. I am not babysitting" Virgil declares, getting straight to the point.
"Oh yes you are. There is no way I am supervise him while I am looking after Gordon at the pool. He will have to stay here with you" Grandma replies.
"Can I just chain the baby up in the attic?" Virgil asks, not really joking.
"No you cannot. And if you don't drop your attitude, you're grounded for the rest of the weekend"
"ARRRGGGGGHHH!" Virgil screams in frustration, punching his fist into the wall in anger before storming out of the kitchen.
"VIRGIL TRACY, GET BACK HERE! NOW!" Grandma calls.
Virgil knows that he has just cemented his grounding, as he stomps loudly up the stairs, pushing Gordon out of his way and into his room where he slams the door shut behind him, and puts this stereo on as loudly as it will go. The music is pounding the walls and he knows it won't be long before Grandma storms in behind him and starts shouting.
Virgil continues to stomp about the room, pulling his wardrobe door open and starting to throw his clothes on the floor while he looks for something to wear, as he is determined to go on his date.
"Virgil Tracy" Grandma repeats, quieter now as she throws open his door and turns the music off.
"I am not sorry Grandma. Those things down there knew I had plans. You knew I had plans. You all know how important today was for me, hire Alan a babysitter, take him with you or just tie him up somewhere, because I am NOT looking after that spoiled baby today. I'm not doing it" Virgil says.
"Are you done?" Grandma asks. She is deeply unimpressed with the attitude displayed by her second eldest grandchild.
"Yes. I am, I am done with this family" Virgil replies rudely, taking a fresh clean plaid shirt and his favourite jeans and walking out into the bathroom so he can get dressed, as he knows that the only way to get out of this is to leave before Grandma does so she has no choice other than to take Alan to Gordons practise. Because he did not agree to this, there is no way he would agree to this.
Taking a leaf out of Gordons book, Virgil tries to sneak back down the stairs and out the side door, but Grandma is there waiting for him, and the look on her face would even frighten his father!
"I am going out now. You will take care of Alan, and tomorrow evening when your father is home, we are going to have a serious talk about your behaviour. We are a family Virgil and we have to look out for each other" Grandma says before picking up Gordons swimming bag and marching out the house, followed by Gordon.
Leaving Virgil alone with Alan.
His little brother is sitting on the sofa, sucking his thumb and looking nervous and scared. He didn't want Virgil to take care of him anymore than Virgil did, he has been mean to him all morning and now he is in charge and who knows what he is planning to do to him?
"Okay midget, you will sit there quietly until Grandma gets back. I am going to call Veronica and let her know that my so-called family are ruining my life." Virgil announces, turning the television off and leaving Alan sitting alone in the silence of the room.
Making the phone call that will end his life, Virgil groans under his breath as he searches through the contacts.
"Virgil hi!" Veronica exclaims happily. "Ready for this afternoon?"
"About that" Virgil says, "I have been dumped with babysitting duty. I know you will probably say no, and I don't blame you if you do but is it possible to rearrange?"
He can feel the hostility, she is not only going to dump him, she is also going to make his life miserable in school. He is going to be the boy who chose babysitting over her. He is going to end up eating lunch at the loser table.
"How old is the baby?" Veronica asks.
"Four. He is my little brother" Virgil replies.
"Can he bowl?" Veronica asks.
"Pardon?"
"There is no need to cancel, we were just going bowling then out for something to eat. I like little kids; I even was one once! Just bring him with you, we will have a great time." Veronica insists.
"You mean you aren't mad and going to dump me?" Virgil asks hardly able to believe his luck.
"Dump you? We are just two friends hanging out Virg, and if it goes well then who knows what will happen in the future?" Veronica says.
"Okay. Then we will meet you at the bowling alley and twelve thirty" Virgil says, before realising that is only an hour away now, and his heart starts to pound in his chest again. His day isn't ruined after all.
Hanging up the phone, Virgil goes back into the lounge. Knowing that he owes Alan a big apology.
And to his dismay his brother is crying.
"Oh Allie, I am so sorry" Virgil says, sitting down on the sofa next to him. "I have been really mean to you all day. But I am going to make It up to you, I promise"
Alan sniffs quietly and looks up at him hopefully.
"You are coming on my big date! How does bowling, a trip to the arcade and a happy meal sound?" Virgil asks.
"Really?" Alan asks, a smile forming on his lips.
"Really. It won't be a romantic date, but it is better than nothing. Run upstairs and get dressed" Virgil says. "We have a bus to catch in fifteen minutes"
The bus stop is a five-minute walk from the farmhouse, and they are there waiting with nearly eight minutes to spare. Virgil having left a note for Grandma in case she gets home before they do, and the note is mainly an apology for his behaviour as he thinks if he shows enough remorse, he might not get grounded until he graduates!
Even though the sun is shining in the early spring afternoon, it air still has a chill and Virgil is glad he made Alan bring a sweater as they stand at the bus stop waiting.
"Look Virgy it is one of the big buses!" Alan cries excitedly as he points at the bus when it comes around the corner, sticking his thumb out to flag the bus down. "Can we sit on the top?"
Virgil pays their fare, before following him up on to the top deck. Between their dad, Scott and Grandma; Alan doesn't get to ride a bus that often and he is hopelessly excited. Luckily the very front is free, as he sits on the bench and looks happily out the window as they pass fields of wheat and sheep and cows.
"LOOK VIRGIL COWS!" Alan calls pointing out the herd in the field to his left.
Virgil smiles indulgently, as Alan runs along the bus to the back before climbing over the seats and pouncing on Virgil. "Are you still mad at me?" he asks.
Virgil reaches behind him and pulls Alan over the seat and onto his lap, ruffling his hair. "Nah, you're okay for a little brother" Virgil says. "Come on, it is nearly time to get off, remember that you need to stay in my sight at all times because if I lost you dad would kill me, resurrect me then let Grandma kill me!"
"Okay. I promise to be extra good" Alan swears as the bus stops in the town centre and the two boys get off, Virgil thanking the driver and Alan imitating him in his best behaved, most polite voice.
Alan takes Virgil's hand and together walk across the street to the bowling alley where Veronica is already waiting for them.
"Hi" Virgil greets her, trying to sound confident, but his voice comes out as a squeak.
"Hello" Alan says, holding his hand out for Veronica, who shakes it. "I'm Alan"
"Hi Alan, I am Veronica. Are you ready to go bowling?" she asks smiling.
"Yes" He says jumping up and down in excitement. "Come on!" he grabs her hand and pulls Virgil and Veronica in through the entrance. "Wow! Look! Can I go and play on that?" Alan asks pointing to the claw machine in the arcade.
"Later, we have a lane booked" Veronica replies.
Alan doesn't protest, as they walk over to the desk and swap their shoes for rental ones. "Would you like a drink?" Virgil asks.
"Yes please. Can I get a coke?" Alan asks.
"Nope. You know Grandma doesn't let you have sugary drinks. You can have juice" Virgil replies.
He comes back minutes later with a tray with sodas and Alan's juice as well as a tray of nachos and bowl of peanuts.
Virgil and Veronica end up giving Alan most of their shots, while they sit and gossip and eat. "He is really cute Virg" Veronica informs him.
"Oh trust me, he is a terror!" Virgil says grinning. "But he promised me the behaviour of an angel, and I am holding him to it"
Alan tries to pick up a sixteen-pound ball, but it is far too heavy for him. "Vonica please help me" he asks, abandoning the ball and interrupting their conversation.
Veronica smiles at him and flips her long blonde hair over his shoulder as she stands up. "Which one do you want?" she asks.
"That one please Vonica" Alan replies pointing to the blue ball.
Veronica struggles to pick the ball up, but manages to get it rested on the ramp for him. "Go on then" she says.
Alan pushes the ball down the ramp with as much force as he can manage, and the ball rolls down the aisle. Hitting the one-three pocket perfectly, knocking all ten pins down for Alan's first ever strike. Turning back to Veronica and his brother they both offer him high-fives as he calls out "STRIIIIIIIIIKKKKKKKEEEEEEEE!" as loudly as possible. To applause from the family on the next lane as he climbs up onto the back of the chair and takes a bow.
"Come on show off, get down" Virgil says laughing.
It is the only strike he manages, and he insists on Virgil getting the scorecard printed so he can show Grandma and dad when they get home before they go to the arcade.
Virgil wins a pink unicorn for Veronica and she manages to get him a plush hedgehog from the claw machine, which Alan insists on naming "Vonica" after his new friend. They get enough tickets from various games for Alan to pick his own prize too, and he chooses a build your own rocket ship, which Virgil promises to help him put together.
Walking back through the town centre hand in hand while Alan runs ahead, carefully watched, Virgil can't believe that this day has turned out to be so perfect. The toy from Alan's happy meal is safely stowed away in Virgil's rucksack alongside the rocket and Vonica the hedgehog.
"Virgil, this has been the best non-date of my life. Would you like to do it again sometime?" she asks as they get to the bus stop.
"I would love too, but next time I think I will leave Alan at home and we can get to know each other better" Virgil replies. "Thank you for being so nice to him"
"He is a sweetie, just like his big brother" Veronica replies before planting a kiss on his cheek.
"EUW VIRGY. A GIRL KISSED YOU!" Alan announces in disgust.
"You were saying?" Virgil says grinning. "I think his cute factor just expired"
"That's my bus. I will see you in school on Monday" Veronica says. "Bye Allie"
"Bye Vonica" Alan waves her onto the bus.
Virgil watches the bus disappear around the corner. Veronica is sitting at the back of the bus waving at the two boys.
"That was great fun Virgil. What are we doing now?" Alan asks.
"Well, we have half an hour until our bus, how about a walk through the park over to the other side, and we can catch it from there instead" Virgil suggests.
The park is slowly emptying as the afternoon wears on, the sun sinking down behind the trees, causing shadows to fall across the park. With the dipping sun, the temperature starts to drop too.
They exit the other side of the park and start to walk up the street towards the bus stop.
Alan is starting to get tired now as they wait in the quickly fading daylight, and he snuggles into Virgil's side as they sit on the bench waiting for the bus. Virgil wraps his arm around his shoulders and pulls him into his side.
"I love you Virgil" Alan says happily.
"I love you too Allie" Virgil replies. "Today has been really nice hasn't it?"
"Yeah it has, my strike was so perfect wasn't it" Alan says.
"Perfect" Virgil agrees.
They are joined by another passenger who sits down on the bench beside them and lights up a cigarette.
Alan closes in as tight to Virgil's side as he can. Shivering slightly from the cold air which has been blown in by the setting sun.
"You okay?" Virgil asks.
"Yeah, I am just cold" Alan insists.
"Let me warm you up" the stranger says before jamming his cigarette into Alan's hand, causing him to scream in pain and shock.
"What the…?!" Virgil exclaims jumping up and pulling Alan to his feet.
But the man is faster and pulls a gun from his pocket, pointing it directly at Virgil's heart. "Hand over your bag, or I will shoot you both"
Alan is screaming in terror frozen to the spot.
"Take whatever you want, but don't hurt my brother" Virgil begs. Shrugging the bag down from his shoulders and allowing him to take it.
The gunman slams the butt of the gun down on Virgil's skull causing him to fall to the ground, fresh blood flowing from a head wound as he lies still and unmoving on the floor.
The gunman flees with his loot. Leaving four-year-old Alan alone with his unconscious brother.
"Virgy?" Alan cries, leaning down next to him. "We have to go home, come on please wake up" he begs desperately, but Virgil never moves.
Virgil's phone and wallet have been stolen, and Alan has no idea what to do. His cries aren't hysterical anymore, as he continues to shake Virgil's arm and tries to rouse him. "Virgil, I promise that I will clean up my breakfast every Saturday and I will clean my room. I will even clean your room, and I will never tell grandma anything ever again when you're mean to me."
Virgil starts to move. His eyelids fluttering weakly. "Allie, get help" Virgil tells him, not making any effort to get up.
"I can't leave you" Alan insists.
"You have too. there is a shop across the street, go in there and ask for help" Virgil insists.
"Please don't make me leave you" Alan cries, lying down on the floor next to his big brother and curling up against him.
"Allie please help me by getting me help." Virgil asks again.
The bus has not shown up and the street is now deserted. "Be brave for me Allie."
"Okay, I will go and ask in the shop, promise me that you will be okay?" Alan asks.
"I promise Al. Please"
Alan carefully makes his way across the road, breaking one of his Grandma's safety rules and crossing without a grown up or big brother holding his hand and enters the shop.
There is a man with greying hair behind the counter, reading a magazine when he approaches. Trying to keep calm, Alan grits his teeth. He can do this. "Excuse me Sir" he says, his voice is quiet and terrified and barely audible.
Lowering his classic car magazine, the shopkeeper looks down at Alan. "What are you doing here? Are you alone? Where are your parents?" he questions, concerned.
Alan starts to cry again. But Virgil is relying on him and he needs to stay strong. "Someone hurt my brother" he says. "He is outside. Please help him"
"Come on, let's go and see what is going on" the guy replies. Grabbing his cell phone and locking the door behind them before following Alan across the street to where Virgil is still lying on the floor.
It is starting to drizzle, and he is shivering with cold now.
Their saviour takes his own jacket off and wraps it around Virgil's shoulders. Before he calls an ambulance.
"M-m-my head h-h-hurts" Virgil stutters. Alan lies back down next to him and allows Virgil to wrap his arms around him, and the two boys cuddle up together while they wait for help to arrive.
The screeching siren of the approaching ambulance in the distance perks Virgil up. Help is finally coming and he is going to be safe, and he is going to keep Alan safe. His arms are tightly gripping Alan into his embrace, and he doesn't want to ever let him go.
The ambulance pulls up into the bus stop, and the paramedics jump down from the cabin.
"Over here" the shopkeeper, who has not even told the boys his name but has not left their side calls.
"What happened?"
"He hurt Virgy" Alan cries. "I want to go home"
"We will get you home. But first we need to take care of Virgy."
"This is Virgy. He is my big brother" Alan tells them helpfully.
"Come on, come with us into the ambulance where it is warm"
Alan allows them to prize him away from Virgil embrace and into the ambulance, which as promised is warm and he is shortly joined by Virgil who is lying on the stretcher, a thick bandage wrapped around his head.
"What happened to your hand?" Alan is asked.
"The mean man who hit Virgy put out his cigarette on me" Alan replies. "but It doesn't even hurt anymore"
"I will just pop some cream on it, so it heals properly for you and doesn't get infected. Okay?"
Alan nods. "Fine. Have you spoken to my daddy yet?"
"No yet, we need a contact number"
Virgil is coherent enough to provide the information they need, as they pull into the parking lot of the hospital and start to unload Virgil's stretcher, while Alan walks alongside, holding his big brothers hand all the time, never leaving his side until he has too.
The cut in Virgil's head needs stitches, but the X-ray reveals that there is no fracture to his skull. The two boys are resting together on Virgil's bed when Grandma and Gordon arrive both with identical looks of terror on their faces.
Grandma pulls both the boys into her arms, all thoughts of their argument this morning forgotten as Virgil sobs on her shoulder. Gordon squeezes into the middle and allows them to squash him in their hug.
"We got robbed grandma" Alan tells her sadly.
"I know Allie, and we are going to get the - word you are not allowed to say – and he is going to jail." Grandma says. "but I have spoken to the doctor and he is happy for you both to come home as Virgil does not have a concussion" she knows that they have both gotten away lightly, and that it could have been so much worse.
"Grandma. The bad man stole Vonica" Alan says sadly.
"Who?" Grandma asks.
"Vonica. My hedgehog" Alan says.
"We got her from the claw machine at the arcade" Virgil fills her in. "Can I really go home?"
"Yes. I think you will both be better off in your own beds. Come on. Let's get you all home"
*TB*
Virgil is resting on the sofa, with Gordon, the following afternoon when there is a knock at the door.
"Gordon get the door" Grandma calls from the kitchen where she is trying to cook dinner, with Alan helping.
Gordon gets to his feet without a single word of complaint or demanding that someone else do it for him and answers the door to a girl he doesn't recognise.
"Hi. I am here to see Virgil and Alan" The girl says smiling.
"Sure" Gordon replies suspiciously. "Do you have ID?"
"Gordon who is it?" Alan asks joining him. "VONICA!"
"Hey Allie, can I come in?" she asks.
"Course. Gordy move" Alan demands.
Gordon rolls his eyes before heading back to the sofa.
"Hi Virgil" Veronica greets him nervously.
"Hey" Virgil replies grinning.
"I heard what happened, are you okay?" she asks.
"I think so. But they stole everything" Virgil says sadly.
"And gave you a nasty headache by the looks of it"
"Yeah, just a bit but honestly it looks worse than it feels" Virgil insists, lying through his teeth as his head is pounding.
"I can't stay long. I just wanted to make sure you are okay. Before she adds shyly "I got you a present" holding out a plastic bag, Virgil pulls out an identical hedgehog and a new build a rocket set.
"You really didn't need to do that" Virgil insists.
"I didn't. I went to the arcade and explained and they replaced them for you." Veronica says. "And if you are feeling up to it, I would like to take you on a real date soon"
"Thank you" Virgil replies. "The doctor has ordered I rest for a week to ten days but as soon as he says yes I would be delighted to take you on a real date"
Looking into her warm and sincere eyes, Virgil can't believe he was ever nervous about asking her out.
"Get some rest Virg" Veronica says before getting up to leave but not before giving him another kiss. While his little brothers gag and complain about girl germs.
*TB*
"Grandma, I am so sorry I was so rude" Virgil says once his brothers are in bed, and it is just the two of them.
"I know you are, but it's okay Virg. You're a teenager. I am not going to hold the occasional temper tantrum against you for long! And thank you for leaving me a message to say where you and Alan had gone, that was the responsible thing to do. I shouldn't have just demanded you give up your plans to babysit and I am sorry too" Grandma replies.
"Am I grounded?" Virgil asks.
"No Virgy but you will be following the doctor's orders. Two weeks in bed!"
"So I am grounded?" Virgil asks again.
"Yeah Virg. You're grounded!" Grandma confirms with a grin. "And you have no idea just how grateful I am to be able to ground you! Now get some rest, your father and brother will be home in a few hours and John will be back tomorrow evening and you will be begging for it to be this peaceful then"