I got home from the stadium around 11:30. The game ran late. I slumped all my stuff into the chair in the corner no one sits in, and plop down on the couch.

"How was work?" Dad asked.

"Same old, same old," I replied. Adam came out from the kitchen.

"Who won?"He asked, fingers crossed and wide eyed. How could I have the heart to tell him his favorite team, the Blackeyes, lost to the Hyenas 7-2?

"I'm sorry Adam, The Hyenas won,"

His face darkened, "Oh."

"They'll win next time, bud. I've got a gut feeling," Dad said, trying to cheer him up. Adam turned away to go to his room, and I could hear him under his breath.

"That's what you said last time."

It got quiet until he went up to bed. My mind was focused on one thing, money. I'm only fifteen and yet I'm the breadwinner of the house. Ever since Dad got his arm cut off by a psychopath, he can't do much. He has a prosthetic one, but he never wears it. He says it's too itchy, but I know he's ashamed to look like a robot.

He used to be the bus driver for the Blackeyes, which is how we all got into baseball, and how I got my job. He got laid off and is now a gas station attendant. He's looking for another job, though I don't know what kind he wants. I don't even think he knows.

I already have three jobs, and I'm not sure if we have enough money for the three of us. Besides concessions at the field, I also work as a gardener for the neighborhood, and I babysit. I babysit, A LOT.

Dad broke my thoughts, "I think it's time for Adam to get a job."

"But, Dad, you always said-"

"I know, but I can't stand looking for work all the time, and I feel bad there's no real man in the house."

"He's only nine Dad."

"I know, trust me, I know."

"What do you think he should do?"

"He could cook? He always makes dinner."

"No, not him."

"Well, I think at this point, it's more about what he doesn't hate, and what he's good at. We all know what he wants is...."

He didn't have to say it. We both know. He wants to be a ball player. I'm actually glad he didn't say it. Improbable. Unlikely. Never going to happen. Just thinking about the words stung.

"Maybe he could tutor little kids! He's gotten pretty good,"I suggested. But by the look on Dad's face, I could tell, that wasn't going to happen.

I tried again, "Maybe Adam could work in technology? Computers are a big thing. If he could code, he could make a lot of money for himself. We could use the help too..."

"I know. Maybe that would work? I mean, he's always had a knack with machines, maybe computers would be right for him. Of course it's more reliable than baseball."

"That's my thinking. Should we talk to him in the morning?"

"You might want to do it. It was your idea."

"Yeah, that brother/sister bond comes in handy sometimes."

"That's my little girl, always thinking. Tommi, you're going places kid. When you're rich and successful, will you take care of your old man?"

I laughed, "Of course Dad."

"Good night, kiddo."I got up and made my way towards the stairs. "And Tommi?"

"Yeah Dad?"

"I meant what I said about you going places. You've got a spark in you honey. Don't ever let that die."

I nodded; I couldn't tell him that it felt like it already had. I walked upstairs into my room and collapsed into bed, I was so tired. I thought about what Dad said, about my spark. I've always felt I could never afford to live to my potential. I've always wanted to be a doctor, but since we could only afford for me to attend school until fourth grade. I only got that far so I could read and write fairly well. Then I went to work. Five years later, here I am. Still working, still barely pulling though. My point here is if I had to drop out in the fourth grade, then how are we supposed to afford all those years of college? So, I'm going to be stuck selling Crackerjacks, mowing grass, and watching snot-nosed kids for the rest of my life. Hey, you never know. I might just take up waitressing too.

I rolled over and looked at the picture of my mom. It's the only picture I have of her. She died in an m-car accident, or at least that's what Dad claims. I really think she died in a shooting, considering there are so many. I don't remember her, I only feel like I do because of stories. I examine the picture. I have her nose, her mouth, her head shape. She was beautiful. Did she have to work this hard? Probably not, I mean, it's not normal for a fifteen year old to have two jobs let alone three. Not having her around is another missing income, and a motherly figure. I've always wondered what it's like to have a mom. But then again, Dad's a pretty good parent. He always leaves notes in my lunch, cuts off the crusts of my sandwiches, and he would always play games with me when I was little. It was always the little things that made me happy. It was just the two of us. Until the day when my baby brother showed up.

Dad and I were playing Go Fish one day when our doorbell rang. He ran and opened it, and than called me over. I was excited because I though Nana had sent me a package. I look down.

"Daddy, why is there a baby on our porch?"

"Somebody must've not wanted him, so they gave him to us instead of leaving him to the streets,"He tried to be enthusiastic, but even then I could tell he was worried.

"Are we going to keep him Daddy? I've always wanted a little brother or sister."

"We'll see honey."He picked up my soon-to-be brother, and we took him inside. I remember that he made a few phone calls, pacing back and forth. I didn't pay that close attention. The new baby was my own little doll!

After a while, Dad came into the room.

"Honey, it looks like you got yourself a new baby brother!"

My face lit up, "Really? Yay!!!"I started jumping around and singing. "I have a brother! I have a brother!"I looked at the baby, "You're my new brother!"

Dad laughed, "Well I'm glad you approve."

"What should we name him?"

"Hmmm. How about Adam?"

Dad always liked names based of the founding fathers of the Old America. He taught me that the Constitution was the best form of government there was. We needed just enough so the world wasn't in chaos. My name, Thomas, was chosen for Thomas Jefferson. I know it's weird for a girl to be named that, so that's why I just go by Tommi (I think the "i"makes it more girly). My Dad named him Adam after John Adams, of course. I wonder if we still lived under the Constitution, if Mom would still be alive?

...

The next morning I slept in, I didn't have to babysit until one. I went downstairs for breakfast, and saw Adam eating his rutabaga.

"Good morning,"Adam beamed, "Would you like a rutabaga roll?"Those are nasty! He loved them, but it takes a special kind of person for that.

With my nose turned upright I replied, "Ew, no, I'm good. I think I'll stick to my pig's feet."

He shuddered, "Enjoy Your Majesty."

Dad came down the stairs, "Good morning,"he looked at my plate and shivered, "Tommi, I don't know how you can eat that stuff."

"You don't know what you're missing."I replied.

He went over to the cabinet and got a glass, which he filled with chicken juice. Then he reached in the refrigerator, and got out moose nose jelly.

"Tommi, can you grab the bread for me?"

I went and fetched it for him. He started to spread the jelly on the white bread.

"And you think what I eat is nasty."Adam said.

After we all sat down at the table, to our "gourmet"breakfast, a conversation started.

"Sleep well?"Dad asked us.

"Yeah,"we both replied in unison.

It got quiet and stayed that way until we finished eating.

"Adam, we have to tell you something."

Adam's face froze. I knew what he thought, he thought about all the things he'd done that he was not proud of. He was waited breathlessly for a bombshell to drop.

"What Dad wants to get across is we need more income."Adam had a sigh of relief, but it was quickly ruined by fear.

He suddenly looked very small, "So I have to get a job?"

"I'm afraid so, son,"Dad looked regretful but sure.

"What am I going to do? I barely have any experience, and I can't read or write very well."

I interrupted, "We were thinking more in the field of computers. There is quite a need for them these days, I think you'd enjoy it."

His face lightened but remained cautious, "I guess I can give it a shot. Where do I look for a job?"

"I can show you how. You have to help me though, I can't do it for you when you grow up,"Dad added.

"It can't be that bad, I guess," Adam shrugged, "I'll do what I have to do."