December
26, 2003
A giant grin spread
across Timmy’s face as Buddi came into the house; the older cub had been doing
that a lot lately. Before Buddi had a chance to say a word, Chace
came running in,
“Di!”
He cried raising his hands up at Buddi grinning with his blue eyes shimmering.
“di!” He cried again.
“Go away Chace, Buddi doesn’t want anything to do with you right
now.” Buddi looked at the younger Barbic,
“I did come to play
with you, but what harm could it be to let him join us.” He spoke thinking
about how he hated to be left out of the adults activities
at times. Buddi knelt to Chace’s level and asked,
“You want me to hold
you?” The small cub nodded.
“Alright,” Buddi
gathered the toddler into his arms and pulled him close as Ursa had shown him
before. The toddler looked into Buddi’s eye’s grinning
even more. Chace then looked at me, then back to Buddi, then without warning, planted a kiss on
his cheek. Buddi stood there stunned not knowing what to do. I laughed at took
my son telling the boys to go ahead and play, as soon as Chace
left Buddi’s arms, he let out a loud cry.
“You let the big
boys play for a bit and then maybe then Buddi will play with you” I told him
setting him on the ground. Chace started heading in
the direction of Timmy’s room crying out ‘Di’ over
and over again as he went through the halls. I caught up to the cub and scooped
him up into my arms.
“Come play in here
with, Mamma for a bit.” I told him
carrying the screaming cub back to the living room. Every toy that was handed
to him was thrown, I reached down to pick him back up
to rock him, knowing that calmed him at times, Chace
swatted my hands.
“Alright my son,
time to go upstairs for a bit I think.”
“No!” He said
batting my hands away from him.
“Now you stop that.”
I scolded as I carried him up the stairs and laid him in his crib. Knowing he
was going to do what all toddlers his age do when they were put down for a nap. I headed out, like I didn’t even know it was happening.
“Is that Chace?” Buddi asked as he walked up from behind me while I
was sitting with Chyanne on my lap.
“Yes it is, Buddi”
“He didn’t do that
with us a few weeks ago, why’s he doing that?”
“He’s mad, and
that’s his way of showing it. I’ll let him do it until he stops on his
own. And he will once he figures out
that no ones going to go up after him.” Buddi nodded. Chyanne
whispered something to me and I nodded. She got up and headed out of the room
and brought something back with her,
“What is that Anna?”
I asked as she spread it on our laps. She said something in Barbic, but it
seemed if Buddi hadn’t understood either and he’s spoken it all his life. We
left it at that and Buddi headed back to Timmy. I reminded the boys that it
would be soon time for Buddi to be going. He nodded knowing it wouldn’t be good
if Ursa had to come and get him.
“Di!
Go!” Chace called out as he tried to follow Buddi
when he tried to leave. I understood that one, he
wanted to go with Buddi. I had to hold him back to let the young boy, go. Buddi looked to the boy, taking him into his
arms.
“I’ll be back Ace.”
Buddi was using the nickname that he had given the toddler while the child had
stayed with them in Ursalia.
“’ack?”
“Yes, I’ll be back later, Ursa will have my hide if I don’t get back for
training soon.” I had to laugh as Chace wrapped his
little arms around Buddi yelling
“’Sa
no Di ‘ide Di mine!” Chace stated holding as
tight as he could.
“I’ll remember to
tell her that one.” Buddi told the toddler, although his face was saying if I
really don’t value my hide I’d do that.” He handed the child back to me. And took off. Before Chace could
start his fit again.