Perfectly Imperfect Me

I’ve seen my brother cry only a few times in my life.

Showing emotion is not welcomed the older you get into high school as a boy.

And so, I watched him shut off emotion except for anger, irritation, and the arrogant “I’m above everyone else,” he is with his friends.

I watched my brother become an alien.

But today, today was different. I saw the sensitive boy he was taught to hide.

The one who sobs at a funeral for a grandmother he has always loved.

I watched his walls crumble, and his resolve flake off.

I saw him become my brother again.