A Brother's Arrival

“My brother?”

At that moment, I had no idea what my mother meant. I stared at her round belly, confused and curious. She only smiled, brushing my hair with her hand.

“Don’t worry, Karl,” she whispered. “More surprises are coming.”

Before I could ask again, Grandma appeared in the doorway with her apron still on.

“Lunch is ready. Both of you, come to the table,” she said warmly.

The smell of food filled the air as we sat down. Grandma had prepared Schnitzel, her specialty. My grandfather joined us shortly after, wiping sweat from his forehead as he finished unloading lumber from the truck.

We ate together, laughter echoing around the dining table. But even as stories were exchanged, my eyes kept drifting back to my mother’s stomach. I couldn’t stop wondering.

After the meal, Grandma looked at her daughter with concern.

“Ella, my dear, you should rest. You look tired.”

Mother resisted at first, but Grandma insisted, and soon she went to lie down. Schools were closed for the season, so I had plenty of time to be with her. She had come to the village to prepare for the baby—only two weeks remained before she was due.

Those two weeks were some of the happiest of my life. I stayed by her side constantly, asking questions, telling her about school, about my one friend Frederick, about little things only children find important. With every laugh and every story, the love I thought I had lost returned, warming me like sunlight after a storm.

But sweet days pass quickly.

Two weeks vanished like smoke. The morning came when my mother had to leave for the hospital. My chest tightened as I watched her pack her bag.

“Is my mom going to be alright?” I asked in a trembling voice.

Grandpa placed a strong hand on my shoulder. “Don’t worry, my son. She’s going to be fine.”

But I couldn’t calm down. The day dragged on endlessly. I sat outside, my head full of heavy thoughts. What if she didn’t come back? What if something happened?

At lunch, I pushed food around my plate without eating.

“Why aren’t you eating, Karl?” Grandpa asked, watching me carefully.

“I don’t feel like it,” I murmured.

He studied me for a moment, then smiled knowingly. “Eat, my boy. Afterward, I’ll give you a gift.”

Reluctantly, I ate. When we finished, Grandpa took me to the truck. “Come, let’s go out.”

We drove to the same little shop where we once had ice cream. “Choose your favorite,” he said, handing me coins.

“Vanilla,” I answered quickly.

From there, we went to the river. He parked the truck, took out his fishing hook, and handed it to me.

“Grandpa, teach me. I want to catch one too!”

He laughed. “Here, Karl. Hold it like this… be patient. Fish don’t come to the restless.”

I tried again and again, but luck wasn’t on my side. We ended up sitting on the riverbank, watching the gentle current. The sky turned golden as the sun began to set.

Grandpa leaned back, his voice calm. “Whatever you face in life, Karl, remember this: stay happy. Don’t let people see your sadness on the outside.”

“Yes, Grandpa,” I answered softly.

“Good. Now let’s go before it gets too dark.”

When we returned home, I was nervous again. But as soon as I entered, Grandma’s face lit up with joy.

“Oh, you’re back! Where have you two been?” she asked.

Grandpa winked at me. “That’s our little secret.”

Grandma chuckled, shaking her head. “Well, you’d better hurry. Don’t you want to see your mother? She’s waiting for you.”

I ran inside, heart pounding. In her room, I found my mother lying in bed, exhausted but smiling. Beside her was a small bundle wrapped in a blanket.

“Karl, my son,” she whispered, “did you miss Mom?”

“Yes,” I said quickly, though my eyes were fixed on the bundle. “But… whose baby is this?”

Her tired eyes softened. “He’s your little brother. Remember I told you about the surprise?”

My mouth fell open. I had never imagined this.

“Don’t you want someone to play with?” she asked gently.

“Yes, I want! So… so you went to the hospital just to get him?”

Mother laughed softly at my endless questions, but her face showed how much effort even laughing cost her.

Grandma entered, placing a tray of food down. “Alright, Karl, let your mom rest. She needs her strength.”

I nodded, though my eyes lingered on the baby. For the rest of the evening, I sat watching cartoons, my mind wandering. I remembered my school friends bragging about their younger siblings, telling stories of games and laughter. Would it be the same for me?

Dinner came, and Grandma called me. I didn’t respond at first, lost in my thoughts, until she shook me awake. We ate as usual, Grandpa’s humor filling the table, though my mind remained in my mother’s room.

Afterward, I visited her again. She was awake, sitting up to eat. Suddenly, the room filled with a soft cry.

“Mom, he’s crying! Why is he crying?”

“He’s hungry, Karl,” she explained, gently lifting the baby.

“Then give him food!” I said quickly.

She smiled tiredly. “He can’t eat yet. He drinks milk.”

I jumped up. “I’ll tell Grandma to bring some milk—”

Mother laughed, shaking her head, and began to nurse him. I stared in surprise, understanding little but watching in awe.

“What should we name him?” she asked after a while.

“I don’t know any names,” I admitted shyly.

“Then we’ll call him Leo. What do you think, my son?”

I smiled. “Leo… I like it.”

That night, we talked until my eyelids grew heavy.

Three weeks later, everything changed again. School reopened, and my mother had to return to the town. I didn’t want her to leave. Tears ran down my cheeks as I clung to her.

She hugged me tightly, whispering, “Don’t cry, Karl. I’ll come back soon. One day, you’ll live with me again.”

For a short time, she had given me back the love I had been missing for two long years. Watching her leave was like losing it all over again.

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