Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: HERO (10/01/20)
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TITLE: Bosom Brothers | Previous Challenge Entry
By Arlene Baker
10/07/20 -
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“Billy.” Caroline turned to her eldest.
“Yeah, Mama?” He turned from the kitchen sink. Water dripped from the tilted glass in his hand.
“See if Spot has enough fresh water.”
“Uh-huh, Mama.” Billy shuffled out the door, humming his favorite Sunday school song.
“What happened today?” Mama turned her attention to Sammy, still sniffling.
“Kids are so mean to him.”
“What happened?” she repeated.
“We got off the bus and some fourth-graders were ready.”
“Ready for what?” Caroline steeled herself, but kept her face calm.
“They called Billy a retard.” Sammy grimaced. “ ‘Re-TARD, re-TARD,’ “ they sang, circling him.” Sammy scuffed the toe of one sneaker against the other.
“What else?” Caroline fought against the heat rising in her throat.
“They danced around him, and … and …”
“Yes?”
“One kid kept his head to one side and let spit run out. Another shuffled around saying, ‘Look at me, look at me. I’m Billy the Baboon.'”
Caroline closed both eyes. God help me, she prayed. Give me wisdom to teach Sammy well and show me how to protect Billy, too.
“What did you do?”
“I tried to punch the kids who were making fun of my brother.” He paused, knuckling both eyes. “Why does Billy walk funny and drool all the time, anyway?”
“Son.” Mama pulled Sammy close. “You know I don’t approve of fighting.” She studied the sky past the kitchen window. “But, I am proud of you for standing up for your brother when he can’t protect himself. Did the boys quit?”
“Nah.” Sammy shrugged. Caroline saw the faint wince.
“They hurt you?”
“Nah.”
Caroline dropped it. Plenty of time to inspect her son’s body at bath time.
“Mama, why …”
“Why is Billy different? “
“Yeah. He’s bigger than me. Older than me, but he can’t even talk right. Why?”
“Son.” Caroline studied the clouds again for some minutes, while running a hand through Sammy’s tight, black curls.
“Billy was born … different.”
“How?”
“Well, it’s sort of like this. You remember when your cousin, Sadie, was born?”
“Yeah. She couldn’t talk or walk or nothing. All she did was sleep, cry and smell awful.” Sammy wrinkled his nose. Caroline laughed.
“You were the same when you were born.”
“I don’t think I ever smelled that bad. I couldn’t. Maybe it’s cuz she’s a girl.”
“No.” Caroline laughed again. “That is the way all babies are. But, do you remember how she started growing really fast? Soon, she could sit up by herself and before her first birthday, she was walking?”
“Yeah. That was kind of cool. Now, she talks and everything.” He sighed, then grinned. “Sometimes too much.”
“You were the same. Once you learned to walk, I had to chase you everywhere. And all the questions you asked when you could talk! You were curious about everything. Just like now.” Caroline paused again.
“Billy was different. You wouldn’t remember.”
“Remember what?”
“He didn’t learn to walk until he was 4 years old. In fact, you and he learned together. And, you already know he still can’t talk very well.”
“Why, Mama?”
“It’s just that … that his brain hasn’t grown up as fast as yours. Or Sadie’s.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know.”
“Did God make him like that?”
“No, son. Sad things happen, yes. But, it’s not God’s fault.”
“Whose fault, then?”
“Nobody’s, honey.”
Caroline’s mind fluttered back to the difficult pregnancy and the doctor’s recommendation she terminate it. She shuddered. Kill our baby? Never! She drew a deep breath.
“Billy is different,” she said, “but you love your brother, don’t you?”
“Yeah.” Sammy grinned.
“Would you want him to be like other boys his age?”
“Yeah.” Sammy stopped with a scowl. “Maybe not.”
“Why?”
“Cuz my friend’s brother’s same age as Billy. He’s so mean to Charlie. Always hitting him and pushing him away. He’s never nice. I don’t like him much.” Sammy grinned.
“Are you happy now?” Caroline asked.
“Yes, yes!” Sammy yelled.
“Why?” Relief filled Caroline’s heart.
“Cuz my brother is PERFECT!” He jumped up and squeezed his mama’s neck. “God gave me the perfect brother.” Sammy slammed out the back door. “Hey, Billy,” Caroline heard him yell. “Wanna walk the dog with me?”
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