Dear Brandon

Dear Brandon...

I was always so excited to play at your house when I was little. I'm sure a good amount of that excitement came from Jackie, who told me there were frogs living under your deck. I never saw any. I was also very jealous of your pets and the tree swing in your backyard.

One night, my mom let me and a couple of my sisters sleep over at your house. I woke up in the middle of the night. It was really hot, and I had a rough time trying to get back to sleep. My edginess transitioned into absolute panic when my beloved blue silly putty slipped through a crack in the bed frame. I watched in horror as it rolled under the trundle bed, away from the glow of the nightlight. That's when I completely lost it. I started crying and crying. I know everyone in the house probably heard me screaming, and yet you were the only one who came to see what was wrong. After rescuing my silly putty from the dark abyss, you asked if it would be okay if you put it on the bookshelf. That way I could see it, but it would be safe from being dropped and lost again. I agreed. After I calmed down you went back to bed. Before I fell back asleep, I rememeber thinking it wouldn't be so bad to have a brother.

I'm sorry I never said thank you for saving my silly putty. It's one of the fondest cousin-memories I have from my childhood. I'm sorry you were so sick for so long. I'm glad you are in a better place now.

Love,

Kristin