Still brothers

By Darren Pen

My relationship with my older brother, Jerry, was good. I hung out with him a lot recently and interviewed him. My favorite memory with him is going to Monterey Bay with my brother Jefferson and meeting his friend, Patrick, before his accident in 2020. We have the same mom but a different dad. His relationship with his dad was not so great.

In 1998 when my dad met my mom, they got together and had my 3rd older brother, Jefferson.

My 2nd older brother, Jerry, has the same birthday as me, August 22nd. My relationship with my brother is great, and we have similar personalities. He is a really friendly guy and a safe driver. I trust him.

Jerry: “My relationship with my dad was not great. He wasn’t there in my life. He died when I was pretty young. He wasn’t there for me. I wished I had more connection with him.”

He went to Santee from kindergarten to 2nd grade. Then he went to Hillvale in 3rd grade for one year. Then, he went to Shirakawa for four years, from 4th to 8th grade.

Throughout his life someone important supported him through it: his grandma. She is one of the most important figures in his life, and she is still alive.

Jerry: “Our grandma, she is a strong, caring, loving woman. I look for her dearly if it wasn't for her, our mom would have aborted me.”

We are still brothers because we would never exist if it weren't for my dad. It would be different without our dad and us. We do not have the same blood, but we are still brothers.