LJ Idol Week Four- “Nobody can ride your back if your back's not bent”

[jexia]

The bell rings. The kids emerge from the school gate, laughing and running, or silently shuffling, as befits their personality and the day they've experienced. My twins bounce anxiously beside me, peering through the fence for their big brother. In five short months they will be part of this mass of school kids, free at the end of a long day. They look too small.

When we see him, I give them the word- "Off you go!"

They move against the flow, squeezing through the gate, ducking kids much taller than them. My daughter always stops before the corner of the fence; her psychic leash is much shorter than her twin brother's. He is charging across the field, his short legs pumping as he chases his quarry.

My poor, beleaguered eldest son yelps and dodges. A rugby player he is not; he inevitably falls to his little brother's greeting, an enthusiastic cross between a hug and a tackle. Although nearly five years older, every day he ends up on the ground with his triumphant sibling sitting atop him, shrieking his name. His sister usually piles on, too.

I explain that his little brother only chases him because he runs. If he doesn't want to play, he can just stand still and say "Stop it, I don't like it." He never remembers. Every day it's yelp-dodge-hugackle-faceplant. He laughs, but I can see a tinge of embarrassment.

I tell the twins to stop, that he doesn't like it. They can't seem to help it. They love him, they miss him, and they want him to know. Their excitement overflows, and it's always a battle to corral them to cross the road safely.

Finally, after three months of after-school chaos, it dawns on me. The twins don't know how else to greet him. I stop in my tracks, having just crossed the road from the school, and gather them close. "Do you like being chased and tackled?" I ask my eldest.

"No."

"Let's try a different way, then." There, on the side of the road surrounded by other families walking home, I make my children rehearse saying "Hi, _____", and offering their open arms for a hug. Three or four times, we practice. I don't know what the passersby think, and I really don't care.

The next day, the bell rings. There's my eldest, way back in the pack; his little brother charges across the field towards him.

He stops. I'm too far away to hear what he says, but he gazes at his adored big brother. His little arms go out.

His hug is accepted, and returned, and they walk side-by-side towards me.











Concrit welcome

Comments

[belgatherial.livejournal.com]

Awww. This made me get a little teary. :) <3

[jexia]

<3

[(Anonymous)]

ohhhh nice

[jexia]

Thanks, Mum :P

[emsporter.livejournal.com]

I just went "awwwwwwwwhhhhh" out loud.

[jexia]

Thanks <3

It was one of those (rare) moments where I felt like I got something right. Shame it took me so long!

[smellykaka.livejournal.com]

This is my favourite so far.

[jexia]

Probably helps that you know the critters concerned!

[smellykaka.livejournal.com]

I totally have a picture of F and X here yes, but it's still lovely.

[waltzmatildah.livejournal.com]

Aw, so much cuteness!!!

[jexia]

Thank you!

[x-disturbed-x.livejournal.com]

So freaking adorable. :)

[jexia]

I think so, too!

[eternal-ot.livejournal.com]

Wow..such a sweet story...<3 glad to have read it!

[jexia]

Thanks so much!

[eska818.livejournal.com]

this is adorable. ^.^

[jexia]

Thank you! Last minute topic inspiration.

[i-will-not-say.livejournal.com]

This was cute!

[jexia]

Thank you!

[kianna-leigh.livejournal.com]

Awww! How adorable.

[jexia]

Cheers!

[muchtooarrogant.livejournal.com]

"The twins don't know how else to greet him."

Made me smile. Although it's easier on their brother, I'm still sorry they had to learn.

Dan

[jexia]

Thanks!

[roina-arwen.livejournal.com]

It sounds like you've got some sweet kids! :)

[jexia]

Sometimes... sometimes.

My boy twin jammed a nail in the power point, ripped wallpaper off the wall, and scratched my tuba by drawing on it, all within a week and a half.

But then he does things like wake up in the morning and say "Mummy... what day will the sun explode?"

[uncawes.livejournal.com]

Aww, shucks. Sad part of it is, they grow older and much less amenable for a while at least

[jexia]

So true - I think it will be interesting seeing what puberty is like for boy/girl twins, in terms of timing etc.

[itsjustc.livejournal.com]

Awww lovely x

[jexia]

Thank you!

[solstice-singer.livejournal.com]

Very excellent. Tackling wouldn't be my preferred greeting, and I imagine your oldest son is much happier with a hug.

[jexia]

He is! Thank you.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_luaineach/]

Love this so much!

[jexia]

Thank you!

[kagomeshuko.livejournal.com]

Kids can be so mean - what a loving big brother!

[jexia]

He's pretty special. We've had our ups and downs but I'm really proud of him.

[sarcasmoqueen.livejournal.com]

So sweet.

[jem0000000.livejournal.com]

Awww. That's really sweet. :)

[minikin.livejournal.com]

This is lovely. :)

[kathrynrose.livejournal.com]

That's sweet. :)

[whipchick.livejournal.com]

What a sweet story!

[kandigurl.livejournal.com]

Aw, this is so sweet. :)

[cheshire23.livejournal.com]

You did an awesome thing here.

[halfshellvenus.livejournal.com]

Awww... I guess sometimes you just need to help kids understand how to channel the love and enthusiasm. You don't want to bury it, but there can be better ways!

[favoritebean.livejournal.com]

Very touching story.