Sunday morning my parents were getting ready to leave on one of their short business trips. As usual, Mom packed the entire suitcase while Dad
decided which neckties to bring.
I was leaning against the doorway to my parents’ room, watching Mom pack. Yellow morning sunlight filtered through the window blinds, making
stripes on the unmade bed.
Peter kept jumping up and down on the mattress, making their suitcase bounce. “Why can’t I come?” he demanded. “Why don’t you ever take me
with you?”
Mom frowned at him. “There is a little thing called school tomorrow,” she said softly.
“I can make up the work,” Peter insisted. “Why can’t I come? Why do I always have to stay home with Danielle? She’ll only invite all her friends over
and have a party, and tell me to get lost!”
“Whoa, Peter—” I shouted. “That is so untrue!”
Dad narrowed his eyes at me. “Are you having a party tonight?”
“Of course not,” I told him, glaring at Peter. Then I added sarcastically, “I’m going to spend all my time taking good care of my sweet little brother.”
“I can take care of myself,” Peter grunted.
Dad tilted his head, the way he always does when he’s thinking hard about something. “Danielle, are you sure you don’t want Aunt Kate to come stay
over?”
“No way!” I cried. “We don’t need her. Really, Dad. I’ve taken care of Peter before, haven’t I?”
“We have to go,” Mom said, checking her watch. She slammed the suitcase shut and clasped it. “We’ll call you from Cleveland,” she told me.
“Hey, wait. You forgot my ties!” Dad cried.