Cannon Fodder No More: A Baby's Plan

perpetually feuding siblings. The cold war that defined their ex

if I were a complex alien puzzle. I was lying on a

," Ethan shot back from the kitchen, where he was staring blan

know? Google

A few minutes later, he emerged with a look of profo

it might as well have been a trip to Mars. They argued the entire way. Ethan drove his sleek

nt lights, something shifted. They were a team,

e pointed out, holding up a can

han grumbled, but he put t

challenge presente

n said, shoving a

our turn. You h

not how

gs along. I let out a s

th a heavy sigh, Ethan knelt down. It was a clumsy, awkward process. He put the diaper on

aid, her voice softer than usual. She po

in a warm blanket, a strange quiet fell over the room. The vast,

r the first time, the space between them wasn't filled with

to make this new dynamic permanent. My plan involved a lot of cr

mplain, but he'd always rock me gently until I calmed down. Whenever Nicole put on her mean-girl a

iginal script, ready to pull the strings of Ethan's rebellious streak and Nicole's desperation for affe

e dormant, were being awakened by the need to mix formula at 3 a.m. Nicole's cravi

ill bickerin

her wrong. You

ou're the one who bought

the bickering of siblings who

d them talking after th

ll them?" N

in Prague. Mom's in Cannes. They said t

care." It was

ave the

open wound. It was the core of their pa

se, and they both

cared about most. I had to be the anchor that held the