Chapter 3: The Virtue of Older Brothers
Bill, Charlie, Fred, and George came home today. I am so happy that I at least have some family members on my side.
***
They all walked through the door at the same time. Smiling and hugging Mum and Dad, they never looked happier to me. I couldn't help smiling through all the pain I felt.
"Gin!" Charlie said, scooping me up and spinning me.
I smiled, but truth be told I almost threw up all over him. Let me just say that morning sickness bites.
"I'm so happy you're all home!" I said, tears coming to my eyes as I knew the horrible truth had to come out sooner or later.
Fred and George smiled their identical smiles at me as mischief played in their eyes. "London's fun, but it's good to come back to your roots every now and again," George said.
"Yeah," Fred began. "If it wasn't for you guys, we'd never have been bored enough to start playing practical jokes."
Mum, still obviously upset after four days, just shot them a look. But she invited everyone in and began to make tea for everyone.
We all sat down in the living room. The boys all talked simultaneously about what they had been up to and asking how our holiday had been so far. Mum's arrival with tea and Christmas cakes silenced everyone for a few moments, but the inevitable questioning still started up.
Bill swallowed a mouthful of cake and turned to me. "So, how's school going for you, Gin?" he asked intently. "How's your test preparation been?"
I didn't know what to say. My mouth went dry and I felt like I was about to vomit. Again. "My classes and test prep have been going fine," I said shakily. My cup of tea nearly spilled, my hands were shaking so much. "Everything's fine."
"And I'm sure she'll do even better after a year of practical experience for when she goes back next spring," Dad said.
My face went pale and I jumped out of my seat. As fast as my legs would carry me, I went to the bathroom and wretched. From the bathroom I could hear Bill and Charlie asking Dad what he had meant by that comment and Dad, realizing what he had done, trying to cover up his mistake.
I walked back into the room, still looking somewhat green, and conversation halted completely. All eyes in the room were locked on my every move. Mum looked at me as if to say "you made your bed now lie in it." So I did.
"I'm sure you're all wondering why Dad said I'm not going back to school until next spring," I said slowly.
"Just a little," Fred commented.
I ignored him and continued. "I got suspended for a year." I paused for my brothers to gasp and ask a million questions that would be shortly answered. "I was suspended for some illicit behaviors that ended up with my becoming pregnant." This part, though, silenced them completely.
Charlie got up and walked over to me, completely silent still. He leaned down and took me in his arms, holding me tightly. "Are you ok?" he whispered in my ear.
Overwhelmed by his compassion, something that my parents clearly did not show me, I burst into tears and held onto him tightly. Bill, Fred, and George came over and each took a turn consoling me and wiping my tears away.
***
I never thought having older brothers could really be good for anything. I got beat up on a lot growing up, and always had higher expectations because I was the lady of the family. But sometimes those immature boys who belched and made fun of each other really do grow up to be men.
Bill, Charlie, Fred, and George came home today. I am so happy that I at least have some family members on my side.
***
They all walked through the door at the same time. Smiling and hugging Mum and Dad, they never looked happier to me. I couldn't help smiling through all the pain I felt.
"Gin!" Charlie said, scooping me up and spinning me.
I smiled, but truth be told I almost threw up all over him. Let me just say that morning sickness bites.
"I'm so happy you're all home!" I said, tears coming to my eyes as I knew the horrible truth had to come out sooner or later.
Fred and George smiled their identical smiles at me as mischief played in their eyes. "London's fun, but it's good to come back to your roots every now and again," George said.
"Yeah," Fred began. "If it wasn't for you guys, we'd never have been bored enough to start playing practical jokes."
Mum, still obviously upset after four days, just shot them a look. But she invited everyone in and began to make tea for everyone.
We all sat down in the living room. The boys all talked simultaneously about what they had been up to and asking how our holiday had been so far. Mum's arrival with tea and Christmas cakes silenced everyone for a few moments, but the inevitable questioning still started up.
Bill swallowed a mouthful of cake and turned to me. "So, how's school going for you, Gin?" he asked intently. "How's your test preparation been?"
I didn't know what to say. My mouth went dry and I felt like I was about to vomit. Again. "My classes and test prep have been going fine," I said shakily. My cup of tea nearly spilled, my hands were shaking so much. "Everything's fine."
"And I'm sure she'll do even better after a year of practical experience for when she goes back next spring," Dad said.
My face went pale and I jumped out of my seat. As fast as my legs would carry me, I went to the bathroom and wretched. From the bathroom I could hear Bill and Charlie asking Dad what he had meant by that comment and Dad, realizing what he had done, trying to cover up his mistake.
I walked back into the room, still looking somewhat green, and conversation halted completely. All eyes in the room were locked on my every move. Mum looked at me as if to say "you made your bed now lie in it." So I did.
"I'm sure you're all wondering why Dad said I'm not going back to school until next spring," I said slowly.
"Just a little," Fred commented.
I ignored him and continued. "I got suspended for a year." I paused for my brothers to gasp and ask a million questions that would be shortly answered. "I was suspended for some illicit behaviors that ended up with my becoming pregnant." This part, though, silenced them completely.
Charlie got up and walked over to me, completely silent still. He leaned down and took me in his arms, holding me tightly. "Are you ok?" he whispered in my ear.
Overwhelmed by his compassion, something that my parents clearly did not show me, I burst into tears and held onto him tightly. Bill, Fred, and George came over and each took a turn consoling me and wiping my tears away.
***
I never thought having older brothers could really be good for anything. I got beat up on a lot growing up, and always had higher expectations because I was the lady of the family. But sometimes those immature boys who belched and made fun of each other really do grow up to be men.
