When my brother left on his mission, I was glad. Happy he was serving the Lord? Yes. Elated that I wouldn't have to deal with his incessant teasing? Definitely. Don't get me wrong, he's a great brother, always affectionate, constantly showing his love, my greatest supporter and one of my dearest friends. But he knows how to push my buttons. OH how he pushes them in all the wrong ways.
While he was away, serving the people of Scotland for two years, I saw him grow. He changed from a smallish annoying teen into an inspiring and humble man. He matured. I watched him blossom through his letters. I began to realize that he wasn't the kid who used to wrestle me to the ground and dangle spit from his mouth, sucking it up before it hit my face. Hallelujah! He had changed!!!
Then he got home.
At first he was wonderful! Never did I leave a conversation with him without hearing the words "Is there anything I can do for you?" after. He was respectful and kind. So pleasant to be around. I was so happy to have him for a brother. Then something happened.
I tried to show him some self-defense moves I had learned while he was gone, what a mistake that was. After he had pinned me to the ground, as I was starring up at him, his giant mouth full of spit just waiting to be dribbled before me, I saw it. I saw a little twinkle in his eye, a glimpse of his old self begging to be let free.
Thankfully he resisted. He didn't torture me, but since then, slowly, his old self has been creeping back out.
Yesterday I received a text from him. The day before we had been teasing each other, when he went too far. He pushed it, YES, the very worst button he could push. He teased me about my weight. We all know I'm more than a little self-conscious about my figure... curse you thunder thighs!!! But, he went there. Oh he went there. I was furious, of course.
Thankfully he must have come to his senses because the next day I received the following text:
Jake: Love You
Me: Did you mean to send that to me?
Jake: Yes of course
Me: This is Torrey, you know that, right?
Jake: Yup
(Then, a bit later)
Jake: Can't a bro tell a sis he loves her?
Me: Sure, I just heard you have a hard time loving fat people. ;-)
Jake: I love mum don't I?
What a way with words! So charming, isn't he? The worst part is, I know he meant it (the part about loving me). Yes, he can be a pain, but aren't all brothers? For that matter, aren't all MEN?
His last text made me laugh, it made me laugh like I haven't laughed before! Yes, he teases, yes, he pushes buttons, but MAN, I love that kid.
