Erik's Trouble with the Law and my Parents

It was about 3:00am when my 17-year-old brother Erik came home from his girlfriend Emma's house. I was going to bed when my Dad called me and asked if Erik had just gotten home. When I said yes, he let out a grunt.

When Erik came upstairs and passed my parents room, my Dad called him in. Erik explained that he had fallen asleep during a movie and just woke up. Additionally, he was speeding to get home and received a ticket for going 47 mph in a 30 mph zone. After explaining everything, he said, "But the whole thing wasn't my fault."

Erik said goodnight and came into his room (where I've been sleeping). I asked him what happened, hoping to get more details than I got from my earlier eavesdropping. He basically explained the same thing and ended with "But the whole thing wasn't my fault." When I asked him whose fault it was, he said, "The movies." He laughed as he said it because he realized how stupid he sounded.

We both tried to go to sleep, but we stayed up until about 4:30am talking. I tried explaining to him that he should take full responsibility with my parents because they'll like that. I also told him that if he wanted his curfew extended, he'd have to act like a nice kid and not the bratty kid he is now. He rolled his eyes but I know he knows I'm right.

Last Christmas, Erik got pulled over by a cop and only got a warning. This Christmas he got a ticket for speeding. I joked with Erik that next year he'll go to state prison and federal prison after that. "In three years, you'll end up in the galactic prisons."

He replied, "There isn't really a galactic prison is there?"

I laughed. Erik is really a 17-year-old. I can't wait until he's older, more mature, and not the bratty kid he is now. No matter what, though, I still love him.

After that conversation, we noticed a light on outside our closed door. Erik went to investigate and came back telling me that it was Dad. He couldn't fall asleep because of work, Erik's ticket, and "why everyone in this house goes to bed at 3am!"