BROTHER.

   “Because I’m meant to be able to take care of you!”

   He had seen the tears in her eyes, his own looking away from her. He now had both palms resting on the table, his legs feeling hollow and a little shaky. Working himself to the bone to keep them going was finally catching up to him. Passing the majority of the food to his sisters, the sleepless nights, it was all coming to a head. For a while their parents’ savings had helped boost his earnings from whatever job would take him, but it was dwindling. And he needed to keep some of it aside, just in case. 

   “They trusted me,” he mumbled, staring at the wood grain, years of spilt coffee and children’s craft projects marring the surface. It swam in his vision for a moment before Bucky blinked back his own tears. He didn’t need to be crying, didn’t need to be this weak. 

she could feel her heart breaking into a million pieces as she watched her brother break down before her very eyes. she had never seen this side of him. she only saw the boy who was strong and brave; who would do anything for his family and to see him look so defeated made her sad. their lies were not supposed to be this way. they were all supposed to be happy and healthy. pushing a stray piece of hair behind her ear, she looked up at her brother and reached out to take his bigger hand into her smaller one.

         “ but you are able to take care of us . you are and you are doing a wonderful job. I am getting to              that age where I can go and get a job of my own and can help contribute to this family. you’re              not alone by, you won’t ever be alone in this.  ”

taking another step closer, she wrapped her arms around his neck and allowed the rest of her tears to run down her cheeks. with one hand, she gently rubbed his back hoping that it would help her brother feel a bit better.