[416] Frank's New Place

A flash fiction piece about a woman and her brother with Down syndrome who doesn't want to get in the car.

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Frank's New Place

Frank dragged his feet as he stood on the front porch, puffing.

“No… Frank…” I groaned. “It went so well so far.”

Our mother’s passing had dragged us into this. Her funeral, my life in smithereens. I approached Frank. He grabbed his head to rock it up and down.

“Come on, Frank.” I said. “Don’t do that.”

His head bobbed harder and harder.

“Don’t like my new car?” That’d be my luck, forking out the cash for it to drive him to the day care, just for him to act all spoiled.

He stopped, huffed, but ignored the question. Great. At least mother hadn’t pampered him that much. Still, every second here would be me one later in the office. My brother wouldn’t understand, but it took me some doing to get that time off each morning. And here he was, nagging, and I felt the goodwill I fought for go down the drain.

I gently patted him. Maybe it’d make him walk if I were all nice. Frank’s usual stone face came right in mine, eyebrows raised. His tongue hung out. Thank God I managed to brush his teeth this morning.

“Shall we go?” I asked.

He stared at me slant-eyed. “Frank not to new place.”

“Darn it, Frank.” How stubborn he could be. “Stop making a fuss.”

He bobbed his head again.

“And stop doing that!” I remembered why I left home as soon as I could. Frank hogged the attention; I had to go at it alone anyway.

I took his arm. “Look, your sister doesn’t want to be late.”

“Frank not to new place.” He swung his arm free.

“Come on,” I shouted. Like I cared about the neighbors now. “It’s not always about you!”

He sobbed as he stormed back in. Now I’m really in for it.

When I came in after, Frank arranged his toys on the floor in one neat line. He held some big eight-piece frame puzzle of a smiling sunflower. I didn’t know where to start, so I asked whether he liked that one. He puffed. Our mother would’ve calmed him down – but I’d never be to him like her.

“Come now.” I cried. “What’s the matter with my brother?”

Frank scratched his head. “Sister puzzle.”

He bobbed again, and I realized that maybe, we both didn’t like this new place in life. Still, I wrapped my arms around him.

“I’m sorry,” I said, and, “watch our, your sister’s going to give you a kiss.”

Frank laughed.