10: From Now On (Along the Way, Chapter 2 - Making Friends)

"Van is only five. He hasn't figured out the best ways to handle new things yet. And it certainly doesn't help that he doesn't have his WHOLE family behind him, honey."

"I'm sorry, Mom," Harry whispered. "I promise I'll be nicer to Van."

"That's all I'm asking for. Just remember that the more we support him, the stronger he'll feel, and hopefully, the less upset he'll get about this stuff." I leaned over to kiss my oldest on the cheek.

I looked at the clock and said, "Speaking of which, I've got to go out to meet Van."

Harry jumped up and said, "Let me, Mom!"

Trying to hide my surprise, I nodded, and said, "That would be great, honey," and watched my older son run toward the front door to hopefully start really connecting with his brother.

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Harry ignored the screen door's slam that his mom hated. He had something much more important to worry about. He had to start making up for all the times he had been...well, maybe not mean, but definitely less than nice to his little brother!

Standing at the end of the driveway, the eight-year-old glanced back at his house when he saw the living room curtains move. His mom waved at him with an encouraging smile, and he waved back. She was counting on him to help Van feel better about himself, and he was determined not to let her down.

As he waited for his younger brother's bus, Harry began making a list in his head - lists always helped him get a handle on things - of the ways he could be kinder to Van. He could help Van with his homework. He could play games with Van. He could teach him how to throw a baseball. He could loan him some of his old books. There were so many things, he'd have to write them all down when he got inside!

Because he was thinking so hard, Harry was startled when the bus pulled up right in front of him. The doors swished open and Harry watched Van take the stairs one at a time because they were so tall. Harry had forgotten what it was like when the steps on the bus were as long as your legs. He had forgotten how hard it was to be five, to be short, and to not know how to do stuff. He wouldn't forget again.

"Hi!" Harry greeted his brother with a beaming grin. "How was school today?"

Van turned his head to see who his brother was talking to, but no one else was there, just the bus pulling away. He looked back in confusion.

Harry chuckled, "Silly. I'm talking to you, Van."

Quietly, Van replied, "But, why? You never talk to me."

Leaning over so they were the same height, Harry put his hands on Van's shoulders. "I know, Van, and I'm really sorry. I forgot how it is to be lit...I mean, younger and how everything is new, and can be scary. If you need help figuring anything out, or want someone to do stuff with, you can ask me, okay? From now on..." The older boy looked hopefully into his brother's eyes.

Van considered Harry thoughtfully for a minute before nodding. "Okay."

The older boy straightened up and grabbed his brother's hand, swinging it between them as they walked back to the house. "So, what did you do at school today?"

Hesitantly Van began, "Um...Mrs. Foster taught us a game...we each got a number...then we bounced a ball to the number she called...then..."

Harry interrupted excitedly, "I LOVE that game! Maybe we could play it with some of the neighborhood kids this weekend!"

Stopping abruptly, Van asked, "You want to play...with me?"

"Yep! Remember, Van...from now on..."

A slow smile spread over the younger boy's face. He nodded, echoing, "From now on..."

As they continued into the house, neither boy noticed their mother, still standing in the window, holding her hand to her mouth with tears welling up in her eyes.