It was so early.  Or maybe it was so late.  My tired eyes couldn’t make out the difference between the streetlights and the stars.  It was pretty in its own way and I let it pass through my mind as I swayed with the movements of the car.  My parents spoke softly, almost silently.  But I could feel the excitement like an invisible firework in the car with us.  

Just as I would begin to drift off to sleep a sound startled me. In the electrice silence, small noises seemed like cannons exploding.  

“Do you think they will all come for the whole time?” Mom asked.

“I don’t see why not!” Dad said laughing.

I wondered who she meant and as I thought about it I noticed the car had stopped.  It was still dark so maybe that wasn’t as long as it seemed.  We walked across the parking lot and through some automatic doors.  A wall of cold air rushed at me.  It smelled clean in an unpleasant way.  The lights were bright and my eyes burned as they adjusted.  My mom was sitting in a wheelchair and filling out paperwork.  My dad was writing things, too.  Every once in a while her nose would wrinkle up like she was thinking really hard.  It was still so quiet and boring.

The doors opened again and a woosh of warm air rushed in from outside.  The thought tickled my mind because of how opposite it was depending on if you were coming or going.  All of a sudden I felt a hand on my shoulder.  It was heavy and nice and I knew who it was.  Popi was there with a smile so bright I thought of the stars and streetlights.  He had a toy for me and we played and laughed.  I sat on Nana’s lap to stay warm and I was having fun.  My mom came over and gave me a hug.  She always smells like cake and her hair tickled my nose.  

“It’s time, Angel Boy.” she said.  “I’ll see you in a little bit and you’ll have a baby sister.  I bet she will show up with a present for her big brother.”  

She kissed my head and then she went through another set of doors into a hallway of doors.  But I could still smell a little. My Daddy came through the doors where I was waiting with everyone else to get me.  He took me into a room where Mamma was. There waiting was Shelby, the magnificent. I was super excited and happy to see my new baby sister.  Everyone else started to come into the room after a few minutes. They were so excited for me and my family.  

         Shelby looked super small to me. I asked the Doctor how big she was and he told me 7 pounds. She had a lot of hair on her head; it was light brown. She had big, cute brown eyes and was chubby as a polar bear. Shelby was wrapped up in a big pink blankie with a white striped, pink cap.  

          When I got to hold Shelby for the first time, I had to climb on the bed where Mommy was. I had to sit criss-cross applesauce, and Daddy put Shelby in my lap. I was super cold, but she made me warm and excited in the way you feel when you're getting something that is super expensive and brand new. But my Shelby was priceless. This was the most exciting time of my life, when I got my sister.  

           Everyone started coming in to see my new baby sister. They were all super excited and hyper. As everyone came in, everyone was talking softly so Shelby wouldn't cry.  Everyone was coming all around me while I was holding her from the left and right. Then, for the first time, my sister opened her eyes and looked at me. I was excited but calm; I didn't want her to cry.        I went and stayed at Popi’s and Mimi's house for a couple nights. Then they would take me back to the hospital. Mommy told me we were all going to take my baby sister home. One of the nurses gave me a lollipop. It tasted like cotton candy. I liked it!  When we got in the car, I smelled some rock dust? Then I realized it was from me scraping them together in the car a couple days earlier.I got in my booster seat, and saw Shelby in Mommy's arms, crying because she was frightened. Then Daddy put Shelby in her car seat.

 

I remember looking at Shelby, thinking how happy I was.  I think Shelby was trying to figure out who I was. The sun was shining brightly, and it was hot!  I was worried it was hurting Shelby's eyes.  I told Daddy, " Put up the window shade on Shelby's side so it doesn't bother her." On the way home, we had to stop by Walmart so Daddy & I could go in and get Shelby her pink .22 gun.  I remember going back to the car. The asphalt was hot on my shoes. Finally we were headed home for good.  About 10 minute  later, we were home. Daddy carried Shelby into the house and put her in the bed with Mommy. I climbed on the bed with Mommy and Daddy laid up against me while I got to hold Shelby at home for the first time. She was covered up with a smooth and soft pink blanket.I held her against me softly so not to hurt her  I could not believe I had such a special sweet little sister, "I love her so much."