“Where are we delivering them, Annie?” He knew that she hated it when anyone called her Annie, especially her brother. “I told you. We’re taking them to the Seniors residence by the Mall. I baked two dozen, Molly baked two dozen, Samantha baked………..”
Rusty had a mouth full of cereal and just about choked on it. He swallowed hard and grumbled “I suppose you’re going to tell me every name in your Guide group. Why not just say you all baked two dozen cookies each?” Annabelle just rolled her eyes. “And what are those on the table?”
“I just haven’t packed them up yet. Why do you have to ask so many questions? And are you supposed to be helping out old Mr. Sampson today?” Rusty leapt out of his chair. “Yes! I’m late! He probably won’t pay me and make me work twice as hard.” With that he was gone, leaving his sister to her cookies. He’d almost forgotten about swiping a couple of them, but he could sneak back before lunch and see if he could get one.
Rusty and Annabelle picked at each other almost all the time. But when no one was looking, Rusty helped out his sister, and Annabelle did the same for him. Rusty had built a jewelry box for his sister for Christmas. It was a secret, except for his dad, because he had to use his dad’s workbench.
Their parents had listened to the bickering and watched their children try to not like each other. Breaking up a serious argument occurred now and then was all that was necessary. They set the limits for the kids, tried to be good role models for them and after that it was the long process of letting go of how their children developed. Cookies or no cookies.
“Sisterhood and brotherhood is a condition people have to work at.”
~ Maya Angelou
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