Marco thought they were in the wrong compartment when they got on the train and entered their compartment. A big man lay under a blue Basotho blanket, sleeping on one of the four bunks. But their father confirmed that this was, in fact, the right compartment. That was extra stress for Marco, who couldn’t get comfortable with people he didn’t know in small spaces.

The compartment had two double bunks and only a little else. The boys immediately scrambled for the top bunk, Marco and Alfie shouting out at the same time that they wanted it. Alfie insisted he had said it a split second before Marco did. The opposite was true: Marco said it first, while Alfie saw where Marco was heading and just finished his sentence for him.

They immediately started arguing about the bunks. It was hard to let go of an argument when Marco knew he was justified. Alfie knew he just had to keep insisting because Marco wouldn’t get on the bunk until his older brother would admit it was fair. He was too afraid of the grudge Alfie would hold. Their father had no patience for the details of the boys’ bickering. He stopped the argument immediately by yelling at Alfie and threatening to show him what would happen if he didn’t stop— discussion over. Maxwell always dealt with Alfie as if he were a dangerous adult, and you shouldn’t give him any leeway— he was a real enemy. Alfie went quiet, climbed on the bottom bunk, and sat with his eyes staring at his feet. Now that their father had gotten involved, Marco regretted the whole argument. He went to sit next to Alfie and whispered that it was okay; he could have the top bunk. Alfie looked up and spoke just loud enough for Marco to hear, “Get off my bunk. And never talk to me again.”

The words reached Marco to his core. Heartbroken, Marco stood up and went to stand by the window of their compartment. He couldn’t bring himself to get on that top bunk now. He was also afraid his father would ask why he was not on the bunk. Because if his father detected that he had to say something to Alfie again about the bunks, it wouldn’t be his mouth he used to say it. Marco asked Alfie one more time just to take the top bunk. But Alfie was like their mother, a rock. He didn’t answer. Marco climbed on the bunk but lay completely still on his back as if asleep. If he didn’t enjoy it, it wouldn’t feel like he was betraying his older brother, that he and his father were on one side against Alfie.

After about thirty minutes of silence, the conductor started talking on the intercom, and the train started to chug. Marco did his best not to start crying. What he wanted to do most was to get off the train. And now that he and Alfie would never talk again, he wished his mother was on the train or that he could stay home.

Tell us: What sparked the argument between Marco and Alfie?