CHAPTER 7

         “ We also must consider your need at the time,” Papa added. “We shouldn’t have waited to find out why Bus was screaming. It could have been a serious Bus accident, and not just a bloody nose.”

         “Yeah,” said Bus, now giggling. “A Bus accident.”

         County joined in. “And, we sure needed an Exact change! Her dirty diapers were really stinky! They NEEDED to be changed right away! But not by me!”

         Everyone laughed.

         Papa thoughtfully said, “Sometimes it won’t be easy. If there had been a major Bus accident, we would have to give Bus much more attention right away and maybe for a long time. But that wouldn’t mean we loved you any less.”

         Momma looked at the ceiling and slowly said, “I remember when I was young and my brother was in the hospital. I didn’t think my parents even knew I was around, they spent so much time with my brother. I know now it’s because they were so concerned that he might not get well. He was very sick.

         “I didn’t think about that. I just thought about me. I wondered what I could do to get attention. I thought maybe I should get sick, too.

         “I was even jealous of my brother. Almost like he got sick on purpose to get mom and dad to pay attention to him!

         “I know now I was wrong. My brother wasn’t sick on purpose, and he would rather have been well. Being sick is a lousy way to get attention!

         “Then I also felt a little guilty, since I had been mad at my brother before he got sick. I had yelled at him. I thought maybe that was why he got sick.

         “I’m glad Grandma and Grandpa came and helped me. They told me that I didn’t make my brother sick, it wasn’t my fault.

         “They also taught me that I should ask God to forgive me for the mean words I said, and I did. I also needed to apologize to my brother for the unkind words. My brother forgave me and I felt much better after that.

         “Grandma and Grandpa helped me see that even though my brother needed my mom and dad to be with him, my mom and dad still loved me.

         “I also learned that my brother and I didn’t have to compete to get mom and dad’s love, that they loved us both, even if they had to spend more time with my brother.”

         “Did your brother get well?” asked Bus.

         “Yes, he did. It took a long time, but he got well. I was really glad when he got to leave the hospital and come home.”

         “Did you ever get mad at him again?” asked Itznot, who was actually listening now.

         “Well,” Momma laughed, “we weren’t best buddies, but we didn’t fight much after that. We both did a lot of growing up. We were friends, not enemies or opponents.”

         “I am glad you told us this story,” said County. “I hope I remember it the next time that Itznot bugs me!”

         “And,” said a yawning Papa, “it’s past everyone’s bedtime, even mine. Time to close down the Fair! Good night! And I mean everyone!”

THE END