Chapter 4
I went to the kitchen that morning to get Isa some crackers and water to help her stomach. It was closer to five when Dad came into the kitchen.
"Hey Bry...what are you doing up?" He said with a yawn.
"I...I was just getting myself a snack."
"Why? Your sugar low? You feel okay?"
"Everything's fine I just-"
"Daddy."
We turned to see Isa at the same time.
"Bryan, what you're doing is really sweet, but I'm ready to tell Mom and Dad the truth. I won't be able to hide it from them much longer anyway...not that I was trying to hide it...I just didn't know when I wanted to tell you. I'm sorry that I-"
"Isabelle...whatever is going on with you, it's okay. I love you...You mom loves you and we're going to help you with whatever you need. And that's all I'll say about it...try to go get some sleep."
Isa just smiled and went back to her room.
"But Dad...that was important. Isa's-"
"Pregnant? We know."
"But how did you know?"
"Your mom and I went through four kids and you think we don't know what pregnancy looks like? Besides Isa forgot that I'm the one that takes out the trash in the bathroom every other weekend. She left her pregnancy test in there."
"But how'd you know it was Isa's? It could have been Mom's...or Anna's or Mira's."
"Well, I didn't know at first. See I had surgery...so I knew it wasn't your mother's...and this isn't the first time Isa's had morning sickness. This must be the third time I heard her get up in the early morning. Your mom and I aren't stupid. We were kids once too. You kids can't hide anything from us. Like getting ice cream late at night, and staying up when Mom told you to go to bed."
I stifled a nervous laugh.
"You heard that huh?"
"Look just get your room cleaned up and I won't say anything to your mother."
"Okay."
"Here...I'll take that to Isa."
He took the bag of crackers and the glass of water.
"I know what to do." He said with a smile. My Dad was such an amazing guy. I hope I can become half of what he is. I went back to my room and just crashed on my bed. I put the side of my face to the pillow and drifted off. I began to dream about Rosie. She was bathed in sunlight. Her red hair beaming against the hot sun. I yearned to kiss her. I don't remember much after that. I was out like a light. When I awoke it was almost ten in the morning. Harvey was up and folding his blanket on the cot. My room was clean.
"Harvey?"
"Hey man...yeah I cleaned. Couldn't let you get in trouble because of me..."
"Thanks.'
"Now come on get up. Your family wants to go to the summer fair today. And you better believe I'm coming with you."
He tossed his pillow at me.
"Hey!" I tossed mine back.
He laughed and jumped on me hitting me with the pillow. We wrestled for a bit. Mom knocked on the side of my door.
"Boys! No rough housing!"
"We're not!" Harvey answered back.
"Breakfast is ready."
As soon as Mom left Harvey and I went back to wrestling. He was the absolute best big brother I never had. He's given me bruises to show girls, scars to talk about to my grandkids, advice on basketball, soccer, clothes, and girls. He's simply the best. At breakfast we shoveled in our pancakes to go outside and shoot some hoops, before we left for the fair. My sisters joined us, and Isa finally told Mira and Anna her news.
"Really?!" Mira said in excitement.
"I'm an Aunt!" Anna said with a huge smile. She then hugged Isa.
"I'll be the best Aunt ever!" She exclaimed and held Isa tighter.
"No I will!" Mira stated.
"No me!"
"Me!"
"Meeee!"
"Okay girls, okay! You'll both me amazing! And the baby will have one amazing Uncle!" Isa announced. I just smiled at her. Harvey hit me with the ball.
"Wake up Uncle Bry!"
I chased him around the front yard.
"Bryan? A great Uncle? He doesn't know the first thing about babies." Anna mumbled to Isa.
"Don't be so sure Anna...he might surprise you." Isa answered back. I tackled Harvey to the ground. I only heard Isa's part of the conversation.
"Okay you win! You got me!" Harvey screamed. I then pulled his arm back.
"Say it!" I demanded playfully.
"Uncle...ow! Okay Uncle!"
I let go and he pushed me off him. I laughed and pushed him back.
"Look at those silly boys pushing each other in thr dirt and getting all dirty." Anna said in disgust.
"Let's let the boys play in the dirt Anna...the court is open." Mira told her and picked up the basketball. Isa followed them. She wasn't too far along in the pregnancy yet. My sisters each took turns shooting hoops. Mira of course was bossing them around on how to do it correctly. Harvey and I sat on the edge of the driveway watching them.
"Just let them shoot how they want to shoot Mira."
"No Isa...bend your knees more! And shut up Bry I'm teaching them!"
I stuck my tongue out at her. She stuck her tongue out at me.
"Man...your sisters...one's a smartie pants musical genius, one's a pro athlete, the other a great dancer and soon to be mom."
"Yep..."
"If I were you I'd trade them all off for something at the fair's petting zoo. You'll get revenue off them and three free pets."
"No way!" I wouldn't trade my sisters for anything...besides who was the one that saved them from those three ugly alien shop keepers, was that you or somebody else?"
"Okay..."
As we watched my sister's play Harvey's mom Deanna came by.
"Hey Mom."
"Harvey. Hello Bry, Anna, Mira, Isa."
"Hey."
"Hi!"
"We're playing basketball!"
"I can see that. Bry your mother called me about the fair. I just wanted to come by and give Harvey some money for it. There's enough for tickets, and food. Don't splurge on any games or gamble."
"I won't. Thanks mom."
As his mom took out her purse, my parents stepped out of the house.
"Hey Dee!"
"Hey Har! Charlie."
"Hey Dee. How are you and Rodney?"
"Fine. Just fine."
My mom hugged her after she gave Harvey his money.
"I hope Harvey's been a good boy."
"Mom...I'm 16 years old..."
"You're still a little kid Harv...wipe the attitude."
"Yes mam...but please don't call me kid."
"He's been perfect Dee. He and Bryan have had a lot of fun." Mom intervened.
"Just like we did." Deanna said with a laugh. "You know I put our beach trip videos on DVD...there's a special moment on there with you Charlie."
"Oh god. Kids time to go. Let's get in the car."
"Oh I remember that like it was yesterday...I'm sure you remember honey...you and your swim trunks." Mom teased.
"La. La. La. La. I'm getting in the car!"
Deanna and mom just laughed.
"Oh Dee...why don't you come with us?"
"Well...alright!"
"Aw dude...really?" Harvey whined.
"Yes really...dude." She lowered her voice to sound more like Harvey. "This way I can annoy you and Charlie."
"Babe!" Mom shouted.
"Yeah!" Dad hollered back.
"Deanna's coming with us."
"Oh joy!" He answered back.
Our moms smiled toward one another. We all piled into the van. My sisters sat in the very back. Harvey and I sat in the seats in the middle; and mom and dad sat up front. Dad drove, and Deanna followed behind us in her car.
"The radio station setting up a booth at the fair this year or no?" Mom asked Dad as he drove.
"Uh...I think so, but I won't be the one to work it. I might have to work the fall festival though. They had far too many people at last years booth so they've split it. Of course I'll still do the teaching stuff part time."
"Working the fall booth would be better anyway...the festival always has more stuff going on...which means more money for you."
"Hell yeah it does."
Mom grinned and blushed at Dad. She lit up everytime Dad spoke to her. I want that for Rosie and me. Harvey sat next to me pouting because his mom was coming along.
"Hey...it'll be okay Harv...we'll be so busy riding stuff and running around we won't even see your mom."
Once at the gate of the fair, we stood in line to get our passes to get in. Part two of the start of the best summer ever was about to begin.
