"That's the last box little brother!" yelled Lynn, dumping the packing box on the floor.
"Thanks sis, you've been great." shouted Dan.
Lynn, 38, was helping her younger brother Dan, 34, move into his new flat, which was just around the corner from her own. They hadn't seen each other often in recent years, as Dan had been working overseas, and their paths never seemed to cross. Now he was back home and looking to settle down.
"You want a drink, Lyn?" he asked.
"Oh yes, why not." she said, "I think I've earned it."
"You have, I would've been lost without you." he told her.
He found some glasses, opened a nice bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon, and poured two glasses.
"Now, where did we leave the sofa?" he asked, laughing.
"Oh, is that the big thing I've put all those boxes on?" said Lynn.
"Never mind, I have an idea." he said, "Grab the bottle, follow me sis."
She followed him into the bedroom, where at least the bed wasn't covered in boxes.
"That'll do as a sofa for now." he declared.
"Looks comfortable at least." said Lynn.
They sat down, backs against the wall, with their legs lying across the mattress. Lynn handed him a glass, and they made a toast,
"To your new life at home!" she said with a smile.
Lynn was 4 years older, so she often found him an annoying little shit as they grew up, and he knew it, but she was his sister, and he'd have done anything for her really. They talked about things over the years, remembering people who were no longer here, others who had just moved away.
They poured another glass, as they laughed about things they'd thought were long forgotten. They both wondered where the years had gone, it all seemed so long ago now.
"Don't get glum now sis." he said, "I'll pour another glass."
"No, I don't usually drink much, I'll be drunk." she said.
"I've been working in mainly 'dry' countries for years, never get a chance to drink." he told her.
"Anyway, it's a celebration, is it not?" he said.
"Yes, go on little brother, pour another." she relented.
They settled again, side by side, backs against the wall, then Dan had a eureka moment.
"Music, I have my vinyl back!" he remembered. "Come grab the speakers sis."
They brought the record player and speakers, then he found the box with his vinyl. He looked through for something to put on, as Lynn plugged it in, and sorted the speakers.
"Adam and the Ants?" he asked, and Lynn looked aghast.
"No, maybe not." he said.
"This'll do." said Lynn, holding up Dark Side of the Moon.
She put it on, and he went to find candles as it was getting dark outside and he hadn't found the lamps yet. He brought a load of candles, placed them along the window sill, and on the dresser and bedside cabinets, and they gave the room a lovely warm glow. He then produced another bottle of wine, and opened it.
Leaning on the wall once more, Pink Floyd playing quietly in the background, they resumed their conversation.
"Dan gave her a dig with his elbow, saying,
"I wish you wouldn't keep calling me 'little brother' all the time sis."
She elbowed him back, just as he went to take a sip and sent wine all over him.
"Sorry little brother, that's what you are, my baby brother." she laughed.
He got up, pulled off his wine-soaked t-shirt, and Lynn couldn't help but notice how fit he was. Not at all the annoying, skinny teen that used to tease her. He put a fresh one on, then sat back on the bed.