Albert has just captured a spider
that was spinning a web
across my window.
He’s about to bring it to his house,
let it spin a new one there.
I ask Albert:
“How would you like a sister?”
“A sister?” He puts on a think-frown.
“You mean like if my dad remarried and—”
I wave at him. “No, no. Not a real sister.
A sort of honorary sister.
Like, for instance,
me.”
Albert tilts his head.
“Can people do that? Just decide?”
“Why not?”
“Will we have to live in the same house?”
“No, silly.”
“Well …” He thinks about it way too long.
“Okay, then. I guess.”
“Cool,” I say. “It’s settled then … bro.”
I hold out my hand
but when he goes to shake it
I surprise him with a big
sisterly hug.
He wasn’t ready for that!