• Though only two years older than I, Kaleb would forever be to my understanding centuries ahead of me in age. Stern, cold, and intelligent, my older brother was no ordinary child, and he would grow to be no ordinary man. I all but loved him. Before the mistakes began that would dissolve my world, I could never doubt his caring for me even more- he was everything a good brother should have been. Kaleb was understanding, though full of hidden hatred. Kaleb was patient, though always on the verge of frustration. Kaleb was protective, though he never acted as if he valued his own safety. Looking back on what our relationship had been, I realize all the warmth, respect and affection should have appeared only on my side. In all of my naive independence, I saw Kaleb as omniscient. I trusted my big brother’s advice in everything, thought of him in everything, and revered him as the protector of my general happiness. Of course, it was simple for a genius like him to make such an impression on a sister two years his junior. And of course, nobody could help but notice his aura of perfection nor forbear envying all his accomplishments. Seeing this in my brother, I allowed him to look after me. It gave me a curious satisfaction to be valued by one so great, and I; a silent, pensive, dreamy girl; adopted him as the hero of many of my fantasies.