Crossroads

Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Charles is home for spring break and he begs me to take him to Gamestop. We walk down to the mall and find a group of guys I know at the food court.
"Who's that?" Derek asks.
"Derek, this is my brother Charles," I say. "Charles, this is Derek."
"You have a brother?" he asks. I've known Derek for what, six years? Good heavens.
"Oh, he exists!" Alex says, "I believe you now!"
Charles looks around awkwardly.
"He's not as cute as you said he was," Calvin says. I wonder if they realize he's actually standing there, that he can hear what they say.
Eugene turns around. "So this is Charles?"
"Yeah."
He addresses Charles. "I hear you're pretty smart."
Charles smiles awkwardly. "Yeah, I hear that too."
"Oh so you know you're smart? Don't get a big head about it like this guy," he motions toward Akash. "This guy thinks he's the shit, but he--"
"Eugene!" I do not like interrupting people, but he should watch his language around Charles.
"Sorry-- this guy thinks he's better than everyone and it's hell- hecka annoying."
Charles laughs.
"Why are you guys here?" Alex asks. Eugene keeps talking to Charles and I try to moniter him bt I do not split my attention very well.
"I'm taking him to Gamestop," I explain.
"Ohhhh. Can he play video games at his school?"
I wonder about this. He can't, and we don't have a game consul at home... I think Charles just likes watching other people play. Or looking at games. Or mybe gameboy games, we do have a gameboy. I tell Alex I don't think so, but I'm not sure. I am bad at explaining things.
Now Alex turns to Charles. "Is she a good sister?"
Charles looks at me like he should say something very mean, but instead he pauses for a second as if this is a truly difficult question and says "yeah, most of the time."
Eugene and Alex laugh. I wonder if they believe him.
Eugene looks at his phone. "We should go soon."
Alex agrees. "Derek, you need a ride?"
Derek looks up. "What? Where?"
"To school... sports..."
Derek also checks his phone. "Oh shoot, it's late!"
Alex asks if Charles wants to run. "I run at my school," Charles says.
"You should come run with us!" Alex tells him.
Charles looks uncomfortable. "Maybe tomorrow..."
Half of the boys leave and the other half continue to sit and do homework, so Charles and I go to Gamestop.

I wonder what it is to be Charles in this situation, what my 12-year-old self would do if my hypothetical big brother were to introduce me to his friends. I would probably be much more awkward than Charles, and resent my brother for bringing me there. Hmmmm