"MORNING BUDDI !" A three and four year old yelled into his ear,
causing the boy to jump out of his bed and hit the ground with both feet
touching the ground all at once, without a beat missing. He was breathing heavy
from the surprise.
"We got up so you get up
too."
"I am up girls, now
leave me alone!"
"You mean! I tell on
you!"
~Great~ he sighed. Then
headed down himself.
"Why ARE YOU up?"
"Timmy!" I called
to my son, warning him.
"What?" He snapped,
folding his arms. "I want him to leave."
"I think you’re done, I
want you to go up to your room, son." I told him as coolly as I could.
"Fine! Nishien!" He said, as he started walking out of the room. I
sighed then headed to him. I was going to wash his mouth out.
A little while later, I
watched Buddi climb (or at least try) to climb into Ursa's lap. She gently
pushed him to the side of her.
"You’re getting too old
for that." She told him.
"But you’re holding them!"
he said, pointing to the infants that were either crawling or laying around.
"Buddi, they are little
and need to be held at times."
"Well, so do I!" With that, he climbed back up onto her lap.
"You know, Ursa likes my
little brother and sisters better than she likes you."
"No, she doesn't."
Buddi spoke in defense.
"Yes, she does; why do
you think she doesn't spend time with you?"
"Because
she's busy." Buddi answered,
trying not to get angry.
"Are you so sure about
that?"
"Yes,"
"I wouldn't be so sure
about that." Buddi, deciding that it would be better; he walked off but
couldn't shake what Timmy was saying.
Ursa walked over to Buddi,
but he pulled away, telling her to leave him alone. Or rather he yelled it at
her, and took off, leaving the woman standing speechless for a few minutes.
"Hi
Buddi." The boy looked up to
see Darcy coming to sit with him.
"Sorry about my brother,
I don't know what his problem is; he's always like that." He nodded.
"Don't pay attention to
him. He does this out of fun I think." Buddi looked at her. "I heard
what he said. I don't like it one bit. I don't like it when he's like this.
There are moments that he's not though, believe it or not."
"Really?"
"This is his rough side
though."
"No kidding!" Buddi
sighed. "If he wasn't just a kid, I'd show him a thing or two. I don't
care what Ursa thinks."
"Yes you do, I seen the
way you look at her. Buddi there’s more than you’re letting onto." Buddi
stared at Darlita in amazement.
"I have a gift of
reading people, all I have to do is look at someone and I can tell if they’re
good or not. Or even what they're up to. My sisters hate that one. I can tell
Mother what’s going on before it happens or when it is happening."
"Glad Ursa doesn't have
that."
Darlita giggled a little.
"I'd spend my life grounded." The teen
laughed at him.
"I wouldn't doubt
it." She told him.
"If you'd like I can
tell Mamma; she'll take care of it."
"No, I'll handle
it." He said getting up and walking away.
"What’s going on?"
Buddi never answered. He just played around
with his food.
"I know you better than
that; something's troubling you. Are you homesick?" He nodded but was surprised
that she wasn't telling him to deal with it. He just shook his head but didn't
answer. "You need to eat something, and stop playing around with your food."
"Easy on the boy, Ursa,
he might just be a little worn out." I told her, getting ready to take his
plate, "I don't mind if he doesn't eat everything. These guys never do.
He's fine.” I turned to see Cubbi still eating; he liked that stuff.
"If you’re not careful,
you'll never be able to move if you eat much more. But you’re welcome to as
much you'd like.”
After the quick story and studies, I sent them
all off to bed before offering the bath things to Ursa; it should be hot.
"Maybe
a little hotter than you may like, but take your time out there." I wanted her to relax and get her mind off Buddi for
a little while. She worried a little too much, I thought at least.