You know, George, shes your sister, but Im your wife. And I cant stand watching you take from our children to give to Helen anymore.
George knew his wife was right, but he couldnt help himself. When his sister needed help, he was always the first to step injust like when they were kids.
“Georgie, pass me the nail,” seven-year-old Helen called, standing on a stool by the old shed.
“What do you need a nail for?” her nine-year-old brother asked, suspicious.
“To build a cat house.”
“Again? Last time I helped you make one, the cat wouldnt even go near it, and you sulked for a week.”
“This time itll workIm lining it with fabric.”
They grew up like two shoots from the same root. Their mother worked at the factory, and their father was gone early. George, young as he was, became the man of the housefixing bikes, changing taps, heating dinner.
“Georgie, do you think Ill grow up to be an actress?”
“You already are. Yesterday you fell, started wailing, then ate jam with a grinthat was a proper performance.”
Time passed. George trained as an electrician, settled in the city, married Teresa.
Helen went to teachers college, lived in student digs, and visited whenever she could.
Teresa sighed. “George, your sisters grown. Shouldnt she manage on her own now?”
“Shes not a suitcase I can hand off and forget,” George replied quietly. “Shes my sister.”
After college, Helen moved to a village for worka freezing dormitory, an old stove, a tiny wage. George visited every holiday.
“I told youbuy a heater.”
“Cant afford it. Need books for the kids.”
“I brought one. And a coat.”
“Teresa wont be cross?”
“Oh, she will. But you wont freeze.”
One day, Helen called in tears. “Brother Im having a baby.”
“Congratulations then why the tears?”
“He left. Said he wasnt ready.”
“His loss. Hang on. Im coming.”
“No need Ill manage”
“Helen. Not up for debate.”
He arrived the next daygroceries, money, a blanket, baby clothes.
“Teresas furious,” he said at the kitchen table.
“I dont want fights because of me”
“Listen. My wifes a good woman, but she didnt raise me.”
“You know this isnt just replacing a lost phone. Its serious.”
“Thats why Im here.”
George stood by her on the big day, cradling his nephew like treasure.
“Whatll you name him?”
“Matthew.”
“Good name. Hell grow up protecting youlike me.”
After the birth, he helped oftenmoney for formula, fixing her room, a pram. Teresa quietly withdrew.
One evening, she said, “George, I dont mind you helping Helen. But when its always from our budgetthats not support. Its a loss for us.”
“I get it. But I cant do otherwise.”
“And I cant live feeling your sister always comes first.”
George stayed silent. He loved them both equally.
In time, Helen found her footingstarted a childrens club, earned respect. Her son grew quiet and kind.
George visited less but always brought something.
“Matthew, look what Uncle broughta building set!”
“Mum says you and Aunt Teresa are getting older, that moneys tight, so we should spend less.”
“Well, Im not that old yet.”
At fifty, George fell seriously ill. Helen came with jam, homemade pies, and her son.
“Teresa, shall I tidy up? George always leaves a mess,” Helen smiled.
“Go ahead. And put the pies out. He wont eat otherwise.”
“Thats not true!” George muttered from the sofa.
“Of course not. Just lost half a stone in a week”
They laughed like kids. And for the first time, Teresa looked at Helen not with jealousy, but understanding.
“You were right,” she whispered as Helen left. “Shes good. I just thought you were choosing between us.”
“I never chose. Theres room for you both.”
A year later, Teresa and George welcomed a granddaughter.
Matthew went to university. Helen stayed teaching in the village, calling every Sunday.
“How are you?”
“Not bad. Teresas knitting, Im watching telly. You?”
“Matthews homewere picking mushrooms.”
“Glad hes turned out decent.”
“Because he had you to look up to.”
In their later years, sitting on the porch, Helen said, “You know, George, I think God gave me you as a brother for a reason. Without you, Id have been lost.”
“And Id be different without you. Youve always been theresince we were kids. Thats not just helping. Thats family.”
