'Ask Anne'

Chapter 8
The Jealous Brother - Part 3

Dear Anne,

Thank you so much for your help! As you predicted, I did revert back to my usual self after a few more days, much to my relief. That night, I logged into my brother’s account with the credentials you gave me, and found that if I chose to upgrade the app, it will give me one more chance to make an age adjustment before the effect becomes permanent.

So I went over to my brother’s room for a little heart-to-heart talk. Several days of reflection and idleness in his crib had finally wedged him open, allowing new things to get in and take root. He was calm and collected, and looked up at me with a mixture of dread and hope.

He started by saying that he was really sorry for changing me, that he had been depressed and angry at being stuck in a dead end job and being unable to attract a girlfriend, and so he had just taken out his frustrations on me. And he admitted that while he initially got quite a buzz from reducing me to a helpless kid, by the next day he was already feeling pretty empty, as changing me had not solved any of his problems, which just kept on tormenting him.

I knew that he was telling the truth, so we discussed his options together. Even he agreed that he didn’t want to return to being a deadbeat adult, and after much consideration he decided that he wanted to give high school another shot. So I upgraded the app and grew him up into a high school freshman. And I stopped giving piano lessons and devoted that time instead to helping him improve his grades, which while are hardly stellar, are now at least comfortably above the passing threshold. Since he’s always had challenges with getting a date, I gave him a few suggestions, and now he’s more popular with the girls at school than he’s ever been.

But the best part of this little episode is that it’s brought us closer together, just like how we used to be best buddies when we were kids. Since he’s too young to go into a bar now, and my parents won’t tolerate underage drinking in the house, sometimes I’ll throw some beers into a cooler and drive with him to a secluded part of the beach so he can get the chance to drink and we can shoot the breeze together. And despite my deep reservations, I agreed to take him to a couple of those heavy metal rock concerts that he loves, even though I got a splitting headache afterward. He then surprised me by agreeing to accompany me to a classical music performance, and while he did fall asleep halfway thru, I guess it’s the thought that counts.

So I just wanted you to know that I’m so happy to have my brother back. You played a central role in making this possible, and for that I’m really, really grateful.

Chris