Brotherly Love

By Kelly

I carry the baby from the bathroom. She’s wrapped in a hooded towel like a plump, wet burrito.

Her brother, wrapped in his own towel combo, trails behind and makes the following announcement about his sister.

“Mom, tomorrow night, I’m going to marry Teyla.”

I pause. It’s true that my family tree can be traced back to Kentucky. (In which case the tree is a wreath, ha, ha.) But I still didn’t see this coming.

(Not to mention I haven’t sent invitations.)

“Well buddy,” I say as I dry off the squirming bride-to-be, “you don’t usually marry someone from your family.”

He frowns.

“In fact, in some states, it’s against the law to marry your brother or sister,” I add solemnly, the weight of the United States government on my side.

“Hmmm,” he says doubtfully.

I feel compelled to add evidence to my case.

“Dad’s not my brother, you know. He wasn’t in my family when I was a little girl.”

Connor chuckles, still unsure that I’m telling the truth. After all, from what he can tell, Corey and I have been related forever. Why shouldn’t we have grown up side by side, fighting and laughing and playing together since the beginning of time?

“Mo-om,” he says, and he rolls his eyes and shakes his head and walks away with all the dignity of a near naked five-year-old.

In lieu of gifts, please send money for counseling.

Kelly also blogs at Love Well — which takes on a whole new meaning in light of this post.

4 Responses to Brotherly Love
  1. melissa
    August 26, 2009 | 6:11 am

    LOL that got me smiling 🙂

  2. Happy Geek
    August 26, 2009 | 12:25 pm

    Grin.

  3. feefifoto
    August 26, 2009 | 12:36 pm

    Look at the bright side — all the family heirlooms will stay in the family.

  4. edj
    August 28, 2009 | 3:50 pm

    When the twins were about 3, Ilsa rushed downstairs to the kitchen one day. “Mom!” she announced breathlessly. “I just got married!” Who to? I asked. “Abel, of course!” (her twin brother.

    They’ve outgrown it. But I’d still put aside any spare change for future counseling. 😉

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