B is for Brother
Carter is eight when he gets a baby brother to call his own. All the kids in the neighborhood had siblings but him, and he was starting to feel left out.
Carter doesn't yet know where babies come from. He's heard the varying theories that circulate the schoolyard, but he doesn't know what to believe. He's just glad Marcus is here.
Marcus is a fat-cheeked, roly-poly brown baby with an easy smile. He doesn't cry a lot and is content to suck on a bottle or his thumb for hours. Carter can make him laugh by playing peek-a-boo or tickling his tummy. Carter is enamored of this chubby little human. He knows instinctively he'll do anything for Marcus and will protect him for the rest of his natural life.
Xoxoxo
Carter is sixteen and ready to take on the world. The smartest guy in his class, and, of course, voted most likely to succeed year after year, his life is going pretty damn good. Marcus worships his older brother and says he wants to be just like Carter when he grows up.
Carter's used to having a shadow following him around. A lot of guys his age feel their little brothers cramp their style, but not Carter. He's grateful for Marcus and fond of the little man.
Carter's sorta girlfriend, Portia, is over one afternoon, curled up at his side, peppering his neck with kisses, which makes it very difficult to prep for their PSATS that they both are due to take the coming week. Carter is trying to focus but is easily distracted by the pretty girl with bright eyes, thick black curls, and lips like soft pillows. The kisses feel really warm sliding over his skin.
Suddenly, his bedroom door bursts open. Marcus comes barreling into the room, cheeks stained with tears, a sob burbling up on his plump lips.
"What the-" Portia immediately jerks away from Carter, a blush staining her cheeks.
Tossing his chemistry book aside, Carter reaches for his brother. Marcus's whole body is shaking. "Hey, what's wrong, big guy?" Carter asks.
Marcus replies but his words come out sounding jumbled. Carter can only make one out clearly: "adopted."
Swallowing hard, he hugs Marcus to his side. He doesn't know how to respond. How did Marcus find that out? As far as Carter knew, his parents weren't planning on telling him about his true parentage for a long time to come.
Carter looks helplessly at Portia. Looking totally disgusted, the pretty girl is already gathering up her school books and hauling her ass to the door. He's not sure if he will see her back around here for a while, but he knows Marcus is much more important than any high school relationship anyway.
Carter sits down on his bed and pulls Marcus down beside him. "It's okay," Carter says gently. "Just take some deep breaths, okay? Then tell me what happened."
Carter is patient, gently patting Marcus's sloped shoulder until Marcus's sobs subside and his breathing stabilizes somewhat. Though he's still crying, he's less hysterical. "Adrian heard his dad tell his mom that I'm adopted. That my real mom is some white lady." Marcus looks at Carter imploringly. "Carter, is it true? Am I adopted?"
Carter looks at the ceiling, then the floor. He looks out the window. He looks everywhere in search of an answer to his little brother's question. He doesn't know how to reply. He doesn't want to lie to his brother. And anyway, is it really his place to tell Marcus the truth? His parents will be livid if he breaks the news to Marcus that they're not blood relations. How can he ignore his brother's pleading for answers? How can he wiggle out of it since the cat's out of the bag now anyway, right?
"Have you talked to Mom and Dad about this?"
"No," Marcus sniffles. "They're still out shopping. But Carter - are they really my mom and dad?"
"Of course they are."
"If I'm adopted…" Marcus wipes his face on the sleeve of his yellow tee-shirt, whimpers a bit. His face contorts as if he's realized something terrible. "Oh no! Are you still my brother?"
Carter hugs Marcus. "Yes, I am your brother. You will always be my brother in every single way that matters. I promised the day I first saw you I would take care of you and protect you and I meant it."
"But if we don't have the same parents…"
"We'd still be brothers. We're family and I love you, man. Maybe I don't say it enough. But I do, Marcus. I like having you around. You are the coolest little bro a guy could ask for and don't forget it."
Marcus hugs Carter back. "I love you too, Carter," he says.
Carter holds out a fist. "Brothers for life?"
Nodding, Marcus bumps his fist against Carter's larger one. "Brothers for life," he agrees.
"But when Mom and Dad get home, let's all talk about it together," Carter suggests. "That way, your question will be answered and you'll know that we will always love you no matter what."
