Memories Rewind: Laughing in the Night

We had just moved into our new house. The crickets were chirping as people were getting ready to relax for the night.

"Wanna throw the baseball around with me, Madison?" my brother asked. He didn't have to ask me twice. I jumped up off the couch and headed outside.

Eli was good about throwing it easy. He stood close to me, letting me catch the ball with ease. The muggy air was making me sweaty as I concentrated on catching the ball in his worn glove. We were talking about school when I forgot a ball was headed in my direction.

"Madison, you were supposed to catch it!" Eli said as the ball rolled to a stop on the grass. I laughed as I tossed it back to him. He just had to understand that girls get distracted when they talk.
Eli was a little frustrated. He wanted to play catch. I had ruined the game. Oh well, that's what little sisters are for, right? I felt bad, but out of the corner of my eye, I saw his trademark grin. That was our unspoken signal that everything was A-OK.

Before we knew it, it was time to come inside. I still remember the stickness of the air as I stood talking to my brother. We didn't have a care in the world. Sometimes I think back to that night and a smile creeps across my face. Laughter really is the best medicine.