People can lose themselves when having fun with family. It happens more often than people realize, but so does the danger it can lead to. Danger is taunting because it will loom in the shadows waiting to change lives forever. My brother was victim to danger’s game.
The sky had been consumed by thick dark clouds that threatened to open up at a moment’s notice, which isn’t odd for spring in Virginia, and the laughter coming from the bedroom was misleading; it spoke of joyous children playing and not having a care in the world. The bunk bed in the room was also misleading: it told a story of two sisters that were happy enough in their relationship to share, but in reality we fought more than siblings should and often had to be put into separate rooms to cool off.
The combined energy of my brother and I was always unmatched to the fighting. So having my Dora dollhouse set up on the floor with all the pieces scattered throughout the room was a…
Colin had been jumping on the mattress but suddenly stopped; the twitch of his lip and the excited giggle he let out gave way to the idea that had bloomed.
“Bub, get away from the edge,” I commanded when he was far enough to the edge that it would make him fall. Colin paused at the sound of my voice and turned his head ever so slightly to see me in his line of vision, but the plan seemed to be more important. He let out his joyful giggle one last time before sticking his leg over the edge. The choked sound that escaped from me and the thud was enough to get Charissa’s attention She let what was in her hand slide away, walked over to him and picked him up in her arms and carried him – like a football would be – out to my…