An Eight Pound Rival, Continued An Eight Pound Rival, Continued
For the next eight years, John dominated all the attention. Every time there was an argument, or even a fight, Mom took John’s side. I had to share a room with A.J., my older sister, for a while after John was born, and then I had to share a room with the Devil himself. I was not impressed.
So what? Yeah, he’s extremely cute and only four years old, but he was annoying me!!!!! Who made up the rules about how the youngest gets first priority and who gets to start off in mom’s bed anyway?
In fifth grade, I expressed my resentment in a poem:
My brother is on the bed right next to me.
He’s singing and playing his new kazoo
And making me mad all at the same time.
I want him to SHUT UP!!!
He’s telling …show more content…
He was very silly and a natural performer, so I felt like there was no more room for my silliness; he took silliness to a whole new level. John and I were frequently sent from the dinner table for being loud, obnoxious, or rowdy. Most times we left the table snickering, and ready to play some more. I was especially good at bullying him and that made me feel better about having to share the limelight. I really enjoyed having a buddy everywhere that I went with the family, even if I wasn’t nice to him all the time. I really do love him and always will. He is very entertaining and funny and he has a good heart. I’m trying to accept that he didn’t mean to dominate the center stage all the time, that’s just one of the many lovable assets of his personality.
Now, I’m looking at John, over the mess on the kitchen table, wondering if he’s all right, because he’s only eight years old, and that was a lot of throwing up to do. Then he gets to go out and play with his friend, just like he wanted. I feel a little cheated. Would I have gotten to go back out if that was me? I really wish he could have the experience of a younger sibling, just so he would know how I