Aidan left Monday morning for four days at ROS (Resident Outdoor School) at a camp about an hour away in the mountains. Tonight they are having family night there, when all the parents and siblings are invited to the campfire program. As I dropped Aidan off at school Monday morning, I told him I’d see him Wednesday night for the program.

Aidan: Is it just you coming?

Me: No, Nigel’s coming, too. I don’t want to leave him alone that long when I’m not close enough to come home quickly if there’s a problem.

Aidan: Then don’t come at all! I don’t want Nigel there!

I didn’t want to force the issue. Aidan was probably looking forward to some time away from his brother, time when he didn’t have to think about how his brother was acting and how it might easily embarrass him. It must be hard to be eleven and to be concerned about that so often.

So I went home and got Nigel up for homeschool. I started to prepare breakfast.

Nigel: You took Aidan for ROS this morning?

Me: Yes. He’ll be back Thursday afternoon.

Nigel: Yes! Three and a half days without the pesky little brother!

Nigel then proceeded to somersault throughout the house in jubilation. So much for brotherly love. I suppose I should be glad that there are some things about his development that are entirely typical.