"Hey, pipsqueak?"
Eddy sat upright in his bed and bolted to the door. He opened it and called, "Yeah?"
"C'mere!"
Since he seemed to be in a good mood lately, Eddy came. He met his brother at his door, stealing a glance inside. His room was so cool. He had the neatest stuff, and sometimes he even gave Eddy things.
"Whacha need, bro?"
"Change of plan, mom's coming home tomorrow."
Eddy blinked in surprise. "She is?"
"Yeah, and dad asked me to take out the trash, but I've got homework." Somehow, Eddy knew he was lying. "Do it for me?"
"Uh, sure thing," he said.
There it was; the familiar pat on the back. Though the bruise was mostly healed, Eddy still winced. "I knew I could count on you."
The trash bags were piled insanely high by the kitchen door. A demanding task for anyone, but Eddy rushed through it.
His dad moved around the house, making sure everything was just right; checking and re-checking his reflection in the mirror. He nervously instructed the boys to behave, to hug her, and not question where she'd been.
It was just one of those things you didn't do in their family.