Being Charlie's older brother often made Don feel a little like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. When he was Mr. Hyde, he resented his brother's genius and all the attention he got because of it. Mr. Hyde also hated having his little brother follow him where ever he went like a little shadow. He would scream at Charlie for messing with his stuff. When Don was Dr. Jekyll, his heart broke for the lonely little boy who didn't have any friends. Jekyll enjoyed the hero worship and would actually seek out his brother's company. He would also pay Charlie for math tutoring even though Charlie insisted he didn't have too.
The switch in attitudes tended to happen very abruptly. Sometimes they happened so fast they gave Don whiplash. He wondered if this was the case for people whose siblings weren't child prodigies.
Don hadn't been feeling Hyde-like in a while. Not since Brian Rogers had hit Charlie with that bat. Charlie had more or less recovered from the experience, but Don hadn't. He wondered if he ever would. Charlie's tenth birthday was coming up and Don wanted to do something nice for him. Charlie did need a new bike. His current one had actually
belonged to Don until he outgrew it. All the paint had chipped off, and in spite of generous amounts of WD-40, the wheels squeaked and creaked very loudly. Don had been saving up his allowance for quite some time. He told his parents what he was doing so they all wouldn't end up getting Charlie the same gift. Don was relieved his parents didn't make a big deal about it. Maybe they were afraid that if they did, Don wouldn't do it again. Don went to the local bike shop. There were so many to choose from. Finally, Don picked a shiny black bicycle with hand brakes. He hid it behind the garage so Charlie wouldn't find it.
When Charlie's birthday arrived, Don woke him up at seven a.m.
"Pssst, Charlie wake up."
"Whaa-What is it Donnie?" Charlie groaned and opened one eye.
"Happy birthday, buddy. Come outside, there's something I want you to
see."
Now Charlie was wide awake.
"You got me a present!"
"Shhhh! Keep your voice down. Mom and Dad are still asleep."
Charlie put on a pair of sneakers and followed Don outside.
"Okay, cover your eyes. And NO PEAKING!"
Charlie obediently covered his eyes. Don wheeled out the bike.
"Okay, you can look now."
Charlie took his hands away from his eyes. Don couldn't help but grin
when he saw Charlie's expression. He had never seen his brother look so
happy before. The delight on Charlie's face made Don understand the
expression 'It's better to give than to receive.'
"THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!" shouted Charlie. He ran over and hugged Don so hard they both almost toppled to
The ground.
. "You're welcome you're welcome you're
welcome!" Don burst out laughing
Charlie pulled away and looked up at Don.
"Can we go for a bike ride, please Donnie? Just once around the block?
Pretty please? We'll be back in time for breakfast."
Don thought for a moment. "I guess it would be okay. Just let me leave
A note for Mom and Dad all right?"
"Okay. Hurry up!"
Don jogged back to the house. He was glad Charlie enjoyed his present.
Buthe knew he'd treasure the gift that Charlie had given him even more.
