Unforgotten Desire

That's how my life goes every day.

Caleb

"Callum, wake up. You'll be late for school." I shook my 12-year old brother. He was lying on his stomach on his bed, snoring.

"It's too early." He groaned lazily.

I sighed. "It's already six. Your classes start at eight. Come on. Please. I still have to go to the shop."

He finally sat on his bed and stretched his body. He opened an eye at me. "You showered already."

"Yup. Breakfast is ready too. Come down after you get showered and dressed."

I ruffled his hair before walking out of his bedroom and downstairs to the kitchen. I sat on my chair in the dining and as I waited for Callum to come down for breakfast.

I looked around the house.

The house. This was our home. This was the very important thing that my Mom and Dad had left to us. It felt so occupied before, with the four us. But now, it felt so empty with just two persons living. Callum and me.

Callum.

My one and only brother. I would do everything for him. I would sacrifice everything for him. He was all that I have. Everything that I did was for him, just to give him what he needed. Just to make him happy.

Every day, I woke up very early to prepare our breakfast. I would drive him to school. After that, I would go to Uncle Chuck's car repair shop. I would work there from 7:30 to 10:30. Of course, I have to attend college. My classes started at 10:45 and I would go home at four in the afternoon. At 4:30, I worked as a barista at the local coffee shop in our town. After my shift at the cafe, I would go back to the shop and repair cars again.

That's how my life goes every day.

A person might wonder how I was able to do it. If someone would ask me that, like other people, I would answer, "I have to". It was that simple.

I knew it wouldn't really answer the question, but it explained everything. I had to because I had to. I couldn't just sit during my free time. I had to work for us. Sleep at night was my only free time. I didn't mind because what I did was for our future. I didn't want Callum to have a hard time in his studies, especially when be would ho to college. I didn't want him to experience what I had.

I couldn't fail our parents. Taking care of Callum was their last will.

Even if they wouldn't ask me to do it, I would never leave Callum.

I was pulled out of my thoughts when I heard, "Pancakes?"

Callum took a seat on the opposite side of the table. I put a pancake on his plate and squired maple syrup on it. "I know we had pancakes yesterday and the other day, but I promise I'll buy bacon, sausages, hotdogs, nuggets and more. I'm sorry, I have been very busy these days, but I'll pass by the convenience store this afternoon after my shift at the cafe."

He smiled at me, showing his cute dimple on his left cheek. "It's okay, Caleb. As long as we have something to eat, it's fine with me."

***

"Get home safely after your class. Take care, Cal."

My brother smiled and waved at me as he walked into their school.

I got into my old truck and began driving to Uncle Chuck's shop. Maroon 5's Girl Like You started playing on the radio. It somehow lightened the mood. Going along with the beat of the song, I tapped my fingers on the steering wheel.