Chapter 13: Growing Pains

Dear Journal:

What is it with me and forgetting birthdays? Like, that seems to be a recurring thing with me.

Well, Miraj didn't outright say it was a birthday. But I saw the cake, and drew my own conclusions.

Here, I thought, it can't be his birthday again already. It only seems like yesterday we had the last one. I told him, isn't it a little early for you to celebrate your birthday again?

Chapter 12: The Future is Spooky

Dear Journal:

Spooky Day came and went.

I wasn't really in the mood for trick-or-treating. Never really have been since my voice cracked. I figured, I'm getting too old for free candy anyway.

Miraj decided to stay home, too. I told him, if he wanted to go out and do it, I wasn't gonna stop him.

But nah, he said he'd rather stay home, and give out candy to the other kids.

Even though it had to be boring as hell, he said he didn't mind. And this way he didn't have to figure out what to go as for a costume.

Yeah, costumes can be creepy if done right. But there's scarier stuff than plastic masks and fake blood all over the place.

Chapter 11: Love Hurts

Dear Journal:

I've never even considered dating. I mean, what's so great about it? Sure, I went on a date with Lisa once, but that was it. And she and I were better off as just friends.

Miraj, well, I can't really see him dating, either. But just because I couldn't see him with someone else, didn't mean it couldn't happen.

I heard him talking on the phone when I got off from work a few days ago. He was talking to Lisa's mom if Darlene was there.

Darlene. Why Miraj would want to hang with Lisa's little sister is beyond me. But there he was, asking if she could come over.

Last I saw her, she wasn't much taller than Miraj. But then, that was when I last saw her.

The girl that showed up later...

Chapter 10: Brother in Arms

Dear Journal:

What am I supposed in this type of situation?

I mean, Miraj and I got along our whole lives. Suddenly he's getting into shit that he shouldn't be doing, and telling me I suck.

Just...what do I do? I know he's growing up, but I can't tell him how to live his life. I'm not Iqbal.

For the first time in our lives, we went to bed angry at each other.

But Miraj was right, I guess. It did seem hypocritical that I'd get mad at him for doing things I'm known for doing.

Come on, though. Kid knows better than that.

Still, going to bed without saying good night to your bro...Damn, that kinda smarts.

And I guess Miraj felt the same way.

Chapter 9: Do As I Say, Not As I Do

Dear Journal:

Just what in the ever-loving fuck got into Miraj today?

I've heard of getting up on the wrong side of the bed. A few of my old classmates said I was born on that wrong side.

They clearly did not know what Miraj was like that morning. Normally, he's pretty good about getting ready for school. But not today.

He fought me every step of the way. And he was cussing up a storm the entire time. Before the bus came, it was "fuck school" this, and "fuck you" that.

To be brutally honest, it was like a completely different person had taken over. I listened to his gutter-mouth until he went to school.

And then I listened to it when he got home. But getting home, well...

Chapter 8: Down in the Dumps

Dear Journal:

Sometimes I wonder what goes through my little bro's head.

I also wonder if he thinks everything completely through.

Apparently not.

When he said he wanted to try another route to make some extra cash, I told him he could help with the chickens.

He said it was a nice idea, but he wanted to try something else.

I thought maybe he wanted to get a job himself, or start a garden, or something.

Nope. His idea was...well, not what most people do for income. It was just...

Really, Miraj?

Chapter 7: In Separate Bunkers

Dear Journal:

Apparently, Miraj was desperate for his own room.

He never said anything until his birthday, but then again, maybe he was still thinking about what he wanted.

The other night, he came up to me, asking me if we got enough materials to put up a few walls.

I asked him, "What for?" We had plenty of walls and junk already.

"Well, you know that unfinished shed Dad had outside? Thought I'd do something with that." When Miraj said shed, I had to remember: 'Iqbal had a shed'?