9 Big Brother (1/2)

Noah wasn't satisfied with her response. He shook me a bit. ”Jake? Jake, I'm sorry okay? We don't have to play baseball. We can play mini golf tomorrow instead!”

I grabbed a napkin and dabbed the tears from the corner of my eyes so they wouldn't fall. I looked at Mary and nodded my thanks.

Her gentle smile never wavered. ”It's okay to get sad Jake. No matter what you're sad about, we'll face it together. If you're not ready to play baseball so soon, that's okay as well. It'll be waiting for you and not going anywhere. Wayne and I raise the boys to follow their dreams and to do what they like for hobbies. We don't force them one way or the other.”

Just...just nothing like my mom.

”Jake?” Noah still worried.

I gave him a thumbs up and a weak smile to signify that I'm fine.

He sighed. ”You had me scared for a second. I thought I broke you or something.”

”Oh?” Mary chuckled. ”Who knew you could play big brother so well, Noah? It's a nice change for you.”

Noah rolled his eyes at her. ”I'm not playing. I am his big brother. I checked his birthday, I've got three months on him.” He grinned at me. ”If you have any problems, just come to me. I'll solve them all like a real big brother. Unlike mine, who bully the young and don't know how to treat others with respect.”

”Oh really?” Mary smirked. ”How do you plan on helping him with his math homework if he's ahead of you?”

Noah's jaw dropped. ”He's not in geometry with me? I thought you would place him in all of my classes so I can watch out for him?”

”Nope.” Her smirk was more pronounced. ”Jake is actually very bright when it comes to math. He'll be taking pre-calculus with the twins.”

”You would put him with those troublemakers?” Noah looked at me with pity. ”It's gong to be hard on you, Jakey. This is what you get for being so smart.”