Eric Walters - Houston, Is There a Problem?

Im home, I called out as I came into the house and dropped my backpack on the floor.

Houston! Houston! the twins yelled as they came barreling out of the kitchen and threw themselves into me with such power that they almost knocked me over. They were only four, but they were getting big.

I picked up Brett and threw him into the air and onto the couch, and he shrieked.

Me now, me now! Dylan screamed. I did the same thing with him.

I rushed over and started tickling both of them.

Stop! Stop! Dylan yelled.

Youre gonna make me pee! Brett yelled as he rolled off the couch.

Boys! Boys! Boys! Suzie called out as she came into the room. You need to go and finish your dinner.

Mooommmm, they both whined.

It wasnt unusual for them to talk in one voice. Id read that twins, especially identical twins, often did that. Go, now, or theres no dessert for either of you, she said. Ill give it all to Houston.

They scrambled to their feet and disappeared into the kitchen.

Suzie was their mother and my aunt. My mothers younger sister. But she and her husband had been my guardians for the past three years. Since my parents were killed. The boys were just babies when I moved in and had never known me not living here. To them I was more like a brother than a cousin. And Suzie was more than my aunt, but she would never be my mother.

Youre a little later than I thought you were going to be, Suzie said.

I told you we were getting together at Jens to celebrate the end of the school year.

You didnt tell me it was going to be this late.

I guess I lost track of time. Sorry, I said.

You know I worry.

She did worry, and I really should have called. It was just that I was pretty well the only person in my grade who didnt have a cell phone, and it was embarrassing to always borrow one. Cell phones cost money, and we didnt have much of that.

Besides, it was definitely uncool to have to call home. Id worked hard all year to be seen as cool well, at least not uncool and I didnt want to lose my hard-earned status.

Everybody must have been pretty happy about the start of summer vacation, she said.

For sure. Although most were more excited than me. It was pretty emotional saying our goodbyes.

Goodbyes? Arent you going to be seeing each other over the summer?

Dwaynes family is moving, and some are gone for most of the summer, and then were not all heading to the same high school next year.

Thats right! End of eighth grade and start of high school. Big difference.

It was going to be different. It was hard enough moving here and having to make all new friends in fifth grade and Id have to try to do it all again. I wasnt looking forward to it.

Lets have it, she said.

Have what? I asked, playing dumb.

Give me your report card or youre not having dessert either.

I reached into my backpack, pulled it out and handed it to her.

Is it just good or really good? she asked.

I guess youll be the judge of that.

She pulled the report out of the envelope and unfolded it.

Wowsix Asand three A-pluses. She then shrugged. Average.

Average?

Average for you, and spectacular for anybody else.

So, does that mean I do or dont get dessert?

Dessert and this. She put an arm around me and gave me a big hug. It felt good, although I was getting too old for hugs from my aunt, and my arms hung limply at my side.

Your mother would be proud of you, she said. Her voice was just a whisper.

I felt my body stiffen. I was surprised shed mentioned her. My motherher sisterwasnt someone we talked much about.

And I guess your father would be too, she added. Its just those were the sort of marks your mother always got. We all knew she was so special that she could have become anything ifwellyou know.

I did know. If my father hadnt come along. If she hadnt gotten pregnant when she was in high school and had gone on to college instead, like she was supposed to. If I hadnt come along.

Not that your mother ever felt bad about not going further. You know that, right?

I know.

I also knew it had changed her life. And I guess, eventually, ended it. If shed gone down another path, sheboth of my parentsnever would have been killed in that car accident.

Snap out of it, I ordered myself. I couldnt overthink it. That was always the danger. I overthought some things. Actually, I overthought almost everything. Why couldnt I just go with the flow, like my aunt and uncle? And, really, like almost everybody else in the world.

Do you know how hard it was to have a big sister who was that smart? Suzie asked. It always felt like teachers didnt think I was really trying.

It probably would have been hard, but it wasnt so easy being the smartest either. I knew some of my friendseven my close friendssometimes didnt seem pleased that I did so well. I think some of them would even have celebrated if I were to blow a test. Maybe Id have to explore that theory in September. No, not right away. It was a new school with new teachers, and I needed the teachers to know I was smart. Being the smart kid was about the only thing I had. The difficult part was letting the teachers know youre smart without letting the other students know that youre too smart.

Im glad there are nine years between you and the twins, so nobody will be comparing them to you, Suzie said.

And its not like we even have the same last name, I added.

Of course, you know that at any time youre welcome to use our last name.

I know. Although I was never going to do that. My last name was all that was left of my parents. My father was an only child. His parents were gone. I carried on his name. Besides, being Houston Williams sounded a lot better than having my aunts married name and being called Houston Honey. That sounded like a cartoon character or the name of an all-female country band from Texas.

Come on. I kept a plate warm for you and for Brad. He isnt home yet either.

Brad hardly ever made it home for supper. Especially at this time of year. He ran his own business building decks and landscaping, so during the spring, summer and fall he worked really long hours. The twins were often still in bed when he left in the morning and asleep when he got home. Hed arrive dirty, tired and hungry and plop himself in front of the TV to have dinner. I liked Brad, and I knew he liked me, but we didnt talk that much. He didnt talk much to anybody. He wasnt much of a talker.

I sat down at my place at the table. I liked that I had a specific place to sit. I had one twin on each side. They were just finishing up their food as Suzie put down the meal in front of me. Fish sticks and french fries. I liked fish sticks and french fries.

Be carefulthe plate is hot, she said.