The Balance of Power

Word Count: 295



         Pam chased her brother through the backdoor and out into the yard.  They were both squealing with laughter as they ran barefoot through the high grass.  The sun blazed high and hot in the cloudless, azure blue sky.

         Peter flopped down under a tree and waited.  He was flushed and winded, but thrilled that summer vacation had started. Three whole months of fun—how he’d waited. 

He really didn’t care much about school. Pam liked school.  She had even made noises about going to summer school.  Funny how this was the only thing that the twins fought about.

         He swore to make her life miserable if she went to summer school.  He told her he would put spiders in her shoes, and garter snakes in her bed.

                                                                                                              ***

         Pam ambled through the field, watching butterflies and plucking the odd wildflower.  She really loved school.  She and her friend Jane were going to take some art classes this summer.  And she knew she was going to have to tell Peter—now.  That’s why she wasn’t in any hurry to get to their tree.  He was going to be mad when she told him.

         She stopped where he was sitting and stood with the sun behind her.  “Peter, I’m taking those art classes with Jane.  It’s something I really want to do.” 

He stared at her, silhouetted over him.  “You can’t!  What will I do all day without you?”

“They’re only in the morning.  We’ll have all afternoon to do whatever you want.”

“Have you forgotten what I told you.  What I’ll do if you go?”  He’d jumped up.  “I’ll do it, Pam.  I will!”

“I don’t care.  You don’t scare me!  I’m going.”  And for the first time, Peter was the twin who backed down.