To Be With You I

"Michael wait up, mum say we need to come home together"

"I know Lily, that's why you need to keep up"

"Am trying but you are way too fast, and besides why didn't dad pick us up today"

"That's because it's your birthday. Dad is helping mum out at home, am sure of that"

"Are you sure, or is he just in another meeting?"

"I don't know Lily, but mum wants us to take the bus home"

"This birthday is also going to suck if daddy is not going to be around"

"You invited your friends, right?"

"Am not like you Michael. You have friends, you are smart and cool, but no one wants to be friend with a freak like me"

"That's not true Lily, and also you need to quit saying things that are way above your age"

"Things way above my Age? Michael I will be turning Eleven today, I am no longer a child. I don't see complaining how I don't have friends being things above my Age"

I sighed in frustration, why does she has to be a smart head. It has always been like this with Lilly, that's why I love her so much.

"Am not saying you complaining about how school life is treating you is bad, but the way you talk at times makes me feel like i'm talking to my senior and not my junior"

"Fine, I will try to talk like my age next time" looking at Michael, I saw as his lips formed a smile before he extended his hands towards me.

I took his hand immediately, he has been the best big brother so far. I wonder what I can do without him.

"Do you want me to carry you like I used to?" He asked with a smile still on his face. I don't think Michael has ever looked at me without a smile on his face.

"What? Hell no, am no longer seven or eight, and also my friends at school are picking on me with it"

"Who cares and they are not your friends. Friends don't pick on each other"

"You are right" i carried her immediately she gave me the permission to. We played as we went home.

"Hi sweetie, happy birthday to you"

"Thanks mum" she pecked my cheeks before taking my school bag away from me.

"How was your day at school dear?"

"It was fine mum. Is dad joining us for the birthday party?" I asked mum after she distracted Lilly with her favourite cookie and a milkshake.

"I don't know, he said he was going to be here but as you know he always never make it"

"She really wants him here today, she said it doesn't feel like her birthday if dad isn't around"

"You know how much Lily loves her father, but we will have to wait and see. Go get ready and come down for some snacks.

I wanted to invite a few of my friends but none of them have the Chance to show up, and besides is not really a big gathering, is just a family party"

"I get it mum, you don't have to explain"

"Do you know if she invited any of her friends?"

"No, she said she doesn't any friends yet"

"Don't worry too much, am sure she will come around with time"

"I don't think so mum, I mean most of her classmates are picking on her. Am worried mum, I will be leaving high school to college very soon.

How is she going to cope without me being there to look out for her?"

"I don't know son, I just don't know" looking at my mum's sad eyes I knew all these were also hard for her.

Looking over at the dining table Lily was still busy shoving her cookies inside her mouth.

"You want some cookies?" She asked when she noticed me staring at her.

"No, enjoy yourself" I replied to her and she continued eating.

"Go get ready, we will wait for your dad a little more. Lily, come I have a little gift for you upstairs"