My dad kept me around, talking for a little while about nothing in particular, but finally around 9:00 he got tired and walked back to the living room to fall asleep on the recliner. My mom had been totally monopolizing my time, so I snuck out before she could talk to me again. I walked up the stairs and went to my brother's door. My heart was beating with a driving pace. I didn't know what we were going to do, but I wanted badly to do it.

His door was closed and I decided I would surprise him. The door was unlocked so I pushed it forward gently, trying...