I stood in the doorway, watching my elder brother carefully putting clothes into his bag. I coughed uneasily Finally realizing that I was there, Rocky turned toward me 1 a sad smile.
"I'm leaving tomorrow," he said.
"I know." My 2 was almost a whisper. I was angry at myself for being so weak, but I wasn't about to cry.
"My 3 is early, so there is still enough time to come to the airport." he said. Seeing the sad look on my face, he quickly added, "I promise I won't leave without saying goodbye."
I tried to say something, but didn't. It's always better to 4 if you're about to cry. "You promised you wouldn't cry," he said to me, thinking that I was close to tears.
I remember the day he taught me how to ride a bike. At first I thought he was always right behind me, holding the seat to keep me from 5 was happy with this. but he knew he 6 hold me up all my life. He told me that one day he would have to leave.
His coughing stopped my 7. What was left to say? How could I say goodbye to the person who taught me everything?
The next morning 8, looked at my alarm clock, and realized he had left hours before. We never even said goodbye.
Goodbye, Rocky! Although he may have been many miles away, I knew he heard me, even if it was only an answer in his heart.
