Charlie greeted me as I came through the kitchen door. I dropped my backpack on the floor. Then I grabbed both of his ears and tugged them as hard as I could. Charlie has huge ears that stick out like side-view mirrors on a car. I just can’t resist them. “Ow. That hurt.” Charlie backed away from me. “Man up,” I said. Mom stood at the sink, peeling carrots. She turned around. “Don’t pull your brother’s ears, Rick. We don’t want to make them any bigger. How many times do I have to tell you?” “Five hundred,” I said. “So? Will you help me?” Charlie waved a big sheet of paper in my face. “I need help with my drawing.” “Go help Charlie,” Mom said. “Dinner won’t be ready for another hour.” She squinted at me. “How come you’re late? You didn’t get into trouble again, did you?” I shook my head. “No. There was a big insect problem at the Christmas play rehearsal,” I said. Of course, I didn’t tell her that I caused the problem. Charlie grabbed my hand and tugged me to his room.
