Rival Sibling

Evvy and Sonata ... together again.

I haven't lived with Sonata for eight whole years now. I was an ambitious young college-bound student when she was starting her junior year of high school. Today she's a second-year medical student, preparing for her rotations here in New York City, bursting with opinions and ready to debate within a moment's notice. I wonder what will happen in two months when she comes to live with me during her year-long rotation. Will I still be the boss of her? Do I even remember what being boss feels like? Morever, what I ever boss to begin with?

The earlier things I remember about our relationship center mostly around my application of pure torture at the expense of my baby sister. I was such a sinister youngster. I'm not sure whether to feel remorse for my behavior or to simply laugh off those childish "didn't know better" antics.

My favorite mode of torture (Sonata will undoubtedly correct me if I'm wrong) was to tell her that snot was comprised of brain fluid, knowing that she was a chronic sufferer of allergies. She hated blowing her nose - thought it decreased her intelligence. It took Mom, a stern look and a boxful of Kleenex to finally get her to relieve her sinus pressure. I firmly believe that, to this day, Sonata waits until the absolute last moment of patience runs out before she'll blow her nose.

Oh but don't think I was a terrible sister on account of her sniffles. I think, as most elder sisters go, I was a rather kind and helpful sibling. Besides the usual bossiness associated with first-borns, I tried my damnedest to assist her with homework, two-wheeler ridership, color coordination of clothes and (most recently) relationship advice. I'd like to think I was giving her advice, but I admit that she's a million times smarter than I think when it comes to dealing with the opposite sex. However, I'm much to proud to turn the tables and seek her advice when it comes to my own personal life. Depend on Sonata? No way! Something about this wannabe-dictator mindset I have over Sonata also makes me think that I'd never ask her for medical advice once she becomes a full- fledged doctor. It's nice that when she sees me, she tells me that my hips aren't perfectly aligned and that my posture needs to be remedied to prevent the dreaded "problems in the future." (Nottie baby, forgive me!) What? My sister? Telling me what to do? What is the world coming to!

I guess I should toss aside my stubborn nature and just let her hold the reins just once. After all, I know she'd do so much better than I ever could. But so long as we live, I'll always have that one advantage of having been born first.