Virgil watches as Aricka and Dan walked out of the venue, laughing and holding hands, Patton Jr. jumping at their heels. She's growing up. Pretty soon, she'll be going off to college, and where will my little sister be then? he wonders. Will she even see me as her brother at that point? Or just some guy that helped her grow up?

He grabs the guitar-the one he bought when he bought Aricka's-and started playing:

"I don't want to drive a fancy car today

I don't wanna ride in a red corvette

I don't wanna jog my Saturday away

But I don't wanna go home yet

Today is not the day to jump out of a plane

I don't wanna parasail or play roulette

I don't wanna risk it all or go insane

But I don't wanna go home yet

I just wanna watch the birds go by

From my handy foldable blue canvas throne

I wanna watch them fly and fly

And see them soar up into the unknown

But I feel just like a nerd

Watching birds

Watching me here all alone

I don't wanna breakdance or learn taekwondo

I don't wanna fish till all the fish are gone

I don't wanna rollerskate even if it's slow

I don't wanna pass out in a marathon

I don't like soccer, baseball, track or field

I'm not up for a match of polo

I don't wanna seek or try to stay concealed

I'm also not up for waterpolo

I just wanna watch the birds up there

Track the migratory patterns that they've flown

I wanna watch them from my chair

With my binoculars, my latte, and my phone

Trying to spot a lark

In the park

Parked in nature all alone

Alone here with the doves

And the sparrows, and the ospreys

The owlets, the egrets, and my list

It's just me and Mr. Finch

The robins, the king fishers, the snipes

Though I heard they don't exist

Each little specie

In its little way can teach me what awaits you

If you can get away

I wanna watch

The birds do what they will

Sorry if I'm ornithologically prone

I wanna watch from somewhere undisturbing

Quiet, calm, still

Sit right here and gaze at the unknown

I don't wanna fly

In the sky

I just wanna be alone

It's not a big deal, or anything

I just wanna be alone...."

He did want to be alone.

But not with himself.

With Aricka. His little sister. His best friend.

With the little girl who said, "I almost forgot to tell you-I love your jacket! I want one too!"

Who had hugged him even though he was still getting used to people touching him.

The girl who had-even though she'd been startled-loved his room even though it was darker than she was.

He just wanted his sister again.

Then she walks in. "Virgil!" she exclaims, her eyes lighting up when she saw him. He smiles. "Were you playing Birds? Play it again! I love hearing you sing."

With a smile, Virgil plays the song, and her and Dan dance, and it seems perfectly normal. As they leave, Aricka hugs him tightly. "You'll always be a prince to me, Virgil. And you'll always be my twin. I love you."

"I love you too," he replies and kisses her forehead.