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“Merde,” Booker shouted when he almost tripped in the hallway.
“Seb?” Nicky asked from the living room. “Is that you?”
“No, it’s the second coming of Christ,” Booker replied as he looked out over the mess in the hallway.
“I don’t believe that,” Nicky said. “Given you don’t believe in him.”
“Maybe he’ll come back as an atheist,” Booker replied while thinking how a blind kid could make such a mess in such a small space. “Nicky, move your ass out here.”
“But they are about to blow up the Death Star,” Nicky replied. “Can’t it wait?”
“They also did the last time,” Booker replied. “Now, get out here or else you won’t be watching tv this weekend.”
Booker could hear Nicky sigh very loudly in the usual dramatic way as he walked out to the hallway.
“What?” Nicky asked irritated.
“I want you to clean up this mess you have made,” Booker said. “You know very well why we need to have clear pathways in our home.”
“I won’t trip,” Nicky replied. “I promise.”
“No excuses,” Booker replied. “Just get it done and then you can check the mailbox.”
Another dramatic sigh came from Nicky as he reluctantly started to clean up.
Booker picked up the grocery bags and walked out into the kitchen, where he got hit by a strong smell from Nicky’s school bag.
“What do you have in your school bag?” Booker wanted to know.
“The usual,” Nicky replied. “Books, iPad, my pencils, and bananas. Why?”
“Because it smells like someone has died inside of it,” Booker replied. "Haven't you smelled it?"
"I got a cold," Nicky replied as he sniffed. "Can't smell anything."
“When was the last time you saw the bottom of it?” Booker wanted to know.
“I can’t see,” Nicky smirked as he put his jacket back on the coat hanger. “So never.”
“Very funny,” Booker replied. “Why is it again I love you?”
“Because I’m your little brother,” Nicky replied with a big charming smile. "It's the rule."
"Maybe I need to have a talk with whoever made that rule," Booker replied.
Booker took the school bag and opened it, but a moment later he regretted it when a swarm of fruit flies hit his face and he screamed.
“Something wrong?” Nicky asked nervously.
“I was right about someone having died inside of your school bag,” Booker replied. He hated insects and started to rub his face frantically.
“I don’t understand,” Nicky replied. “Did I do something wrong?”
“You just forgot your banana and when it started to mold it became a home for fruit flies,” Booker replied. “And I’m making a note that from now on, we’re gonna check your school bag once a day for food.”
“Sorry Seb,” Nicky said and looked sad at Booker.
Booker walked over to Nicky and leaned their foreheads together.
“Hey, it could happen to anyone. Even me,” Booker said before placing a reassuring kiss on Nicky’s forehead. “Now, finish with cleaning the hallway, while I see what I can salvage from the school bag. Then tomorrow you have to use my old school bag until we can get a new one for you.”
“I promise not to forget bananas in it,” Nicky said as he placed a hand on his heart.
“Thanks,” Booker replied. He was really glad Nicky couldn’t see the face he was making while emptying the school bag.
The next day, when Nicky came home from school he hugged Booker as the first thing.
“Hey, and thanks,” Booker said. “What was that for?”
“All the kids in my class said I had the coolest school bag in school,” Nicky replied. “They asked about all the badges that are on it, so can I please keep it if I promise not to forget bananas in it?”
“Of course you can, Nicky,” Booker replied. “And I know you won’t do it again.”
Nicky placed the school bag on a chair so he could find his iPad. Then he placed the school bag on the floor and sat down on the chair.
“Could you tell me about the different badges, so I can tell the kids in school about them?” Nicky wanted to know.
“I can do that,” Booker replied. “But don’t you think you should get out of your jacket first?”
“Oh, I forgot that,” Nicky replied and laughed. “Do we have any cookies?”
“You know where they’re,” Booker replied. “But only two cookies.”
They spent the rest of the afternoon talking about the different badges, and the next day Nicky could tell the kids that his big brother had been in places like Nepal, Sydney, and New York.