The apartment had become too small for their growing family. My Dad and stepmom decided to move into a house. They found a house in Rhode Island which wasn’t far. It was around this time that we started to visit again. I can’t remember all the details and exact timeline but I know we ended up coming back around.

My brother(M) and I were very close. We did everything together. Our birthdays were even only 2 years and 2 days apart. He was the one to make me laugh when I cried in my crib. The one to protect me and even our older brother. We were so close and the best of friends.

I will never forget the day that the decision was made. The day that the decision came where my brother was going to live with our Dad. Not both of us. Just him. I think there was a reason of needing more assistance with his school and my Dad said he would take him and my mother never fought it. She really couldn’t have fought it anyway but she didn’t even try.

My mom and I were in matching overalls and we were driving to meet my Dad and stepmom. There was a bag packed as normal but only for my brother. We pulled in the parking lot and the front bumpers of each car facing each other. I remember watching as my brother went off into my Dad’s car and I stayed behind. I remember running to my Mom because it hurt to see my best friend now go with this family that I had come to dislike.

I was always excited to go on those weekend visitations after that because I looked forward to seeing my brother.