Only child
Only, oldest, Middle, and youngest were all sitting quietly in the living room. Oldest child was sitting in a lounge chair reading a book. Middle child was on the couch, scrolling on his phone, while youngest was finishing her jigsaw puzzle on the coffee table. Only child was irritated at how quiet it is.
“You know, I wish I had a sibling,” Only child blurted.
All the siblings groaned in annoyance.
“What?”
“Trust me Only, you do NOT want a sibling!” said Oldest, putting down her book.
“But why?” asked Only child. “Don’t you know how isolating it feels to hear absolutely nothing all day?”
“Not going to lie, I was enjoying the peace and quiet until you opened your mouth,” said Middle child.
“Yeah for a little while, but imagine having that as your everyday!”
All the siblings took a moment to think.
“To be honest that doesn’t sound bad,” said Youngest child.
Only sighed, “I can’t even tell you guys the torment of being an Only child without you guys shutting down my experience!”
“That’s because you don’t have to share resources with another human being,” said Middle, rolling his eyes. “Don’t you know how hard it is to not have anything to yourself?”
“No, but I do know what it’s like to have everything, falling on you!” said Only. “Having the weight of your parents to succeed in everything you do, being the only one to continue the family name, not being able to share household responsibilities with anybody!”
“You think it’s hard now?” asked Oldest pointing at Middle and Youngest. “Live with these two, then tell me how you feel.”
“But at least you weren’t surrounded by adults all the time! I didn’t get to have kids my age growing up!”
“Well at least people take you seriously,” muttered Youngest, hesitating before placing down a puzzle piece.
“And I don’t even get to have people to practice social skills with!” Only pointed out. “It’s like I have this major disadvantage at fitting into society.”
“Not going to lie, I think my social skills are also lacking,” Oldest admitted. “Try again.”
“The worst part about being an only child is getting stereotyped as being spoiled, and self absorbed, no matter how many times you’ve proven yourself to be otherwise!”
“It’s probably because you’re complaining about stuff that doesn’t sound half bad,” said Middle, getting comfortable on the couch. “Being put first, having unlimited toys, and epic Christmas’,”
“But all of that doesn’t mean much when you have no one to share it with,” Only said softly. “I had nobody about complain to my parents to. Don’t you know how many times I called the wall my best friend?”
“Middle child use to lock me in the closet growing up,” said Youngest. “So the closet monster was who I talked to.”
Only nodded, a little confused and concerned at the same time.
“But what about your parents?” asked Oldest. “Don’t they fill in this loneliness?”
Only scoffed. “No! They’re working, and when they came back they’re too tired to spend time with me.”
“Must be nice,” whispered Oldest.
“Seriously!?”
Oldest tried not to raise her voice. “Well you’re not in charge of a whole life while they’re away!”
“Yeah, but don’t know how much damage being alone can cause!” said Only, trying not to raise his own voice. “You can only be alone for so long!”
“Not going to lie, I’m feeling suffocating just by looking at these two,” said Middle, rubbing his temple.
“You wouldn’t feel that way if you knew you’re going to be last one in your family!” said Only. “Don’t you know how terrifying it is to know that you’re going to be the only one to have to take care of aging parents?”
Oldest open her mouth, about to say something, she then closed it when a thought came.
“Now that I think about it, do we know any siblings who ALL help out with aging parents?”
Everyone paused, thinking for a moment.
“I don’t know,” said Youngest. “But that’s not going to be us, is it?”
“No, I don’t think so,” Oldest comforted.
“See?” Only pointed out. “I don’t have this!”
“Oh, have what?” sighed Middle.
“I don’t have people to fall back on, everything lands on me, and once they’re gone, I have to grieve on my own!”
“Tell me something I don’t know,” muttered Oldest.
“What are you talking about?” asked Only. “You have people to fall back on!”
“Seriously?” gasped Oldest. “Even with little siblings, I have the weight of the world on my shoulders!”
“Oh great,” whined Middle, hitting Only on the arm. “Now you got Oldest started!”
