Chapter 2

Lately, my brother's and my parents have been living at the dacha more and more often, and Romka and I have gotten used to running the place on our own. My uncle, a commercial pilot, had long been yearning after his long flights for nature, the unfinished bathhouse, silence, and his beloved beehives. My aunt, however, had no desire to feed the mosquitoes with her body or leave us unsupervised. Last year, that issue led to a shattered wedding china set and a relationship crisis, but thank God, it didn't last long, and they made up.

That was one reason they moved out to the dacha and now spend more time alone together. The second reason was my brother Romka. And I understand them.

My aunt and uncle never had any problems raising me, but my brother, who is a year younger than me, managed to bleed our parents dry for both of us while he was still in school.

As a child, Romka never fell asleep when he was supposed to and ate only what he wanted. At school he fought, skipped classes, and defended his independence in the upper grades by disappearing for days at his friends' places. At the same time he wasn't rude, he loved his parents, and he even managed to play soccer. He simply couldn't stand supervision or control in any form. And he found friends to match: just as reckless and impossible to manage.

In short, it was hard, and apparently it could have gotten worse. Until one day Uncle Lyosha and Aunt Lena decided to give their son the freedom he wanted (with the agreement that he would live at home and finish university). And me too, while they were at it. They asked me, as the older sister, to keep an eye on my brother.

So now Romka and I lived alone most of the week (not counting the days when he had someone staying over), and we got along pretty well.

Today my brother was home, and when I entered the hallway, he poked his head out through the half-open door of his room. He is blond like me, only darker. And his light brown eyes are from his mother. In the gruff low voice of a young man who had suddenly turned out bigger and taller than me, he asked:

"Aliska, where have you been? Have you seen the time? At this hour there are maniacs out in the streets like fleas on a dog! Looking for trouble?"

Taking off my backpack, I lowered it to my feet and unzipped my puffer coat. I answered evenly as I took off my shoes:

"First of all, I wasn't alone. And second... want to try being a little more polite, Roma? Your killer stare doesn't work on me."

"Alis, seriously. I was worried. You answered my three messages with 'all good' three times. Could you be any less informative?" my brother mimicked me.

"No," I breathe out tiredly, putting my clothes in the closet and taking off my hat. "I was at the movies with a group. It was awkward to text."

But my brother knows me too well, so he frowns in confusion:

"Why did you go there? You weren't planning to."

"Romka." I glance back in surprise, picking up my backpack and heading to my room. "What's wrong with you? You grew a head taller than me and decided you have the right to be protective? I'm the older sister, remember?"

"I remember," my brother grumbles, scratching the lean, firm stomach under his loose tank top. "You're the one who forgot it was your turn to make dinner today!"

Right. I almost stumble as I turn around. So that's what this is about!

"Oh, Rom, sorry. I'll make it up to you, honestly! Vlad unexpectedly met me in the metro and dragged me to the movies. I really wasn't planning to go there after work."

"Your boyfriend has cerebellar dystrophy, no empathy, and the logic of a fish. Idiot! He's slow on the uptake in life in general, and on top of that he's selfish. Alis, stop giving in to him and learn to say no. You have no idea how much easier it will make your life."

"And you're not selfish, then?"

"I'm smart and selfish, and proud of it! I can't stand concessions. Bet your gym rat slept half the day while you were working?"

"Bet you could have made dinner yourself, regardless of whose turn it was?" I parry, lifting an eyebrow at Romka.

"I did make it, actually. Except we ate everything. But I hope your boyfriend at least had the sense to feed you?"

Hm.

I keep silent as I walk to my room, and Romka curses under his breath.

"Greedy idiot! I don't understand what you found in him?!"

"He doesn't pressure me, okay? And he doesn't insult my brother!"

I open the bedroom door and switch on the light. Behind me, I hear:

"Ha! Let him try, if he's willing to risk his health! Alis, there's an apple and one avocado on the table. I don't eat that crap! And there's no sausage or eggs! But there's bread!"

I want to roll my eyes at the ceiling. Like it would be the first time.

"Well, thank you, dear. Who else would take such good care of me!"

But when Romka grins, I'm ready to forgive him anything.

"I knew you'd appreciate it, sis!"

And even though my brother is still selfish, when I close the door, I can't help smiling.

If I have a friend, impossible to manage or not, it's him!