Anna’s Point of View
Brenda looks at me, confused.
“Anna who is this guy?” she asks as she looks from me to him.
“He’s my big brother- “I start
“Barney Barton at your service.” He says with a flourish.
Why does the universe hate me so much?
“What. The. Hell. Are. You. Doing. Here?” Clint demands, each words more venomous than the one before it. Nat puts a hand on his arm, to calm him down.
We’ve all gathered in the living room, and everyone is staring daggers at Barney.
“Well I heard that my little Moose and Rabbit were all grown up. Getting married. I had to see for myself if it was true.” He says, his voice thick with the southern accent. The one Clint and I had fought to hide for so long.
“Where were you all this time?” I ask, resentment dripping off my words. He smiles,
“Oh, I’ve been everywhere. Russia, France, Europe. Even went to see the penguins.” He says, as if this should impress us.
“So you decide that after twelve years, you should just show up unannounced and think that we would actually want to see you?” I demand, my voice rising with each word. He smiles again, and looks me dead in the eye.
“Don’t start that bullshit with me Anna. When Mom and Dad died, I was fifteen. What could I do? I could barely take care of myself, let alone my ten-year old brother and five year old little sister.” He says, as if that’s okay. AS if that makes it a right.
“You left us! You could have stayed! But you left us! You left us without a backward glance! Nothing for twelve years Barney! You were never there when we needed you! When we missed you! You can’t come here and expect us to give you a hug and talk about the football game! You left us!” I leave the room before I start crying.
Peter follows me out,
“Anna are you okay?” he asks, I laugh humorlessly
“With what Peter? With my mother coming back from the dead? My brother showing up after nothing, for twelve years? What part am I supposed to be okay with? I don’t even know if I’m capable of being okay! I’m in-okay-able!’ I rant. He just raises and eyebrow
“In-okay-able?” he asks,
“Not my best work.” I say, he pulls me to him
“Not even top ten.” He says
“Anna, a lot of things have happened this year. But we made it through all the craziness. We can make it through this too. Besides, maybe he’s not even your brother. He actually likes me. Barton’s seem to hate me on sight.” He jokes,
“It just took a bit of time for you to grow on me.”
“Like a flower?”
“Like a flower? What? No. Peter, you grew on me like a flower. Nobody says that! Besides, it was more like a fungus.” I tease.
“Gee Pix, way to tell me how you really feel.”
“I’m just keeping it real.” I say.

Notes