Author:
Lucas
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Date Posted: 10:27:07 12/22/25 Mon
“And I hope you don’t either. But, hey…if you ever do, know that you are still the best sister I could ever ask for and I think you’re an amazing kid. There is not one thing you could do or say that would ever change that.”
You really beam at that, and my heart melts fully. Yeah, I did do this better than our parents. I never really thought about what kind of parent I could be in the future, but this is experience let me know that maybe I wouldn’t be so bad at it.
“Okay, you’re hungry. I’m hungry. Let’s make some dinner.”
You respond with an excited “okay!”
We spend the rest of the night watching a movie and snacking a but after dinner. Your entire mood is a complete 180. I haven’t heard you laugh this much in a bit. Plus, you go to bed with zero pushback. I guess this whole thing really worked out. The whole next day we take a long walk through our local park. I show you the spot I was caught by mom when I ran away at 12, and how much trouble I got in for that one. You’ve been begging me to help you learn how to skate, so we practice for a while in the empty parking lot.
Then, that night, mom and dad come home. We both greet them with plenty of hugs and help them get their bags from the car. Things settle in and I can see how excited they are especially to see you. Eventually it comes time for me to head out, but not before a little hushed conversation in the kitchen.
Mom pointedly asks me, “how was she? I know she’s been a bit of a handful lately, so I hope everything was okay.”
I am almost tempted to just lie, knowing you are out of hearing distance. But, I know you’d confess yourself if you ever found out. Plus, what kind of role model would I be if you caught me lying?
“Well…she did get into some trouble yesterday. Her attitude had been a bit out of control, so…we took it as a chance to reset.”
Mom looks a little floored, but I jump out ahead of it. “It’s okay, really. I think she was just testing me because I am her usual fun brother. She did…get a good dose of the hairbrush. So, I think her attitude won’t be getting her in trouble any time soon.”
Mom looks at me in a knowing way: “well, maybe now you know why it was so effective on you!”
Even as an adult, I am a little embarrassed, but that’s okay. It’s not like I will be getting it any time soon.
Another half hour passes, and I steal a second to say bye to you while mom and dad are getting ready for bed themselves.
You immediately stand up on the couch and fall into a hug so tight that I just pick you up and hold you there. You’re 10, but still light as a feather.
“You know in a couple of weeks, I will be back to watch you for a night. Mom and dad have to go to an overnight work function. So, between now and then, I hope I don’t hear anything new about you getting into trouble.”
“You won’t…I think you spanked it all out of me. I’M CURED!”
We both laugh and I go for one more hug. “I love hanging out with you, Ginger. I can’t wait to see you again.”
“Me too!”
I walk out the door and start up my car. I hope you’re right that I never have to do that agin, but in case I do, it’s nice to know that I can do it the right way.
——
I thought that was such a great story! How did you feel, Ginger?
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