Brennan sat on the sofa, legs curled beneath her as she studied the case file on her lap. Yet she wasn't so focused that she could not hear the sound of small bare feet slapping against the hard wood floor. Looking up from her work, she immediately smiled at the sight of her daughter racing towards her, auburn curls bouncing and a question in her soft brown eyes.
Celia Joy came to a sudden stop when she reached the sofa, inertia almost carrying her into her mothers lap. Slightly out of breath, she paused for a moment before speaking.
"Mama, I need you to help me with somethin'.
Knowing from experience that Cee Cee would expect her full attention, Brennan closed the file and set it aside. Not the she minded. Given the chance…and with the spirited little girl's energy and curiosity she had been given many chances….she made the same choice each and every time.
"And what would that be, Miss Celia?"
"I need some tenners."
"Okay, I think we can manage that. But first you have to tell me what a tenner is."
CJ gave a little shake of her head at her mother's lack of understanding, and then with a little sigh climbed onto the couch. Placing a little hand on her mother's arm, she began to patiently explain the meaning and importance of tenners.
"Silly, Mama. You know what tenners are. Uncle Hodgie said I was cute as a bug. But bugs got tenners and I don't."
Brennan felt a mixture of amusement and maternal pride. It seemed that her daughter had inherited her difficulty with recognizing metaphors, but took her father's direct approach to solving a problem. If the metaphor didn't fit reality, then Cee Cee would just make reality meet the metaphor.
"Oh. I see. No antennae for a cute bug. That sounds like a serious problem."
Cee Cee nodded her head matter-of-factly, relieved that her mama was taking the situation seriously.
"Mmm-hmmm. But don't worry, Mama. I gotta plan to fix it."
After years of living with Parker and watching as he had passed along his passion for plans to his sister, Brennan was now well-schooled in the parental art of handling plans hatched in the minds of children. Unlike the early days, she was able to take this one in stride. At least this one wasn't about proposals or baby brothers.
"And I'm sure it is a very good plan too."
Hearing her mother's endorsement, the little girl's enthusiasm grew. She stood up on the sofa cushion, bouncing slightly as she pointed first to one side of her head and then the other.
"Yep. See you gotta help me put a piggy-tail here….and a piggy-tail over here. That'll be my tenners."
"Sounds like the perfect solution, Cee. Why don't you go pick out your barrettes and I will…"
"I already did that part, Mama. Parker says you gotta be 'pared if you're gonna have a plan."
Brennan could only shake her head in amusement as Cee Cee pulled a pair of purple butterfly barrettes from her pocket.
"Now can I have some tenners?"
Recognizing the impatience in her daughter's voice, Brennan took the barrettes from the small outstretched hand and smiled. After all, it really was a good plan.
"Of course, sweetheart."
"Maaaarrrccooooo!"
Parker rolled his eyes at the sound of his sister calling from the hallway. He was sorely tempted to ignore her, but knew it would not do any good. Ignoring Cee Cee was not something that ever turned out well. With one last longing look at the video game playing out on the screen, he hit the pause button and then called back..
"Poooloooo……ya' little twerp."
She bounded into the room, an indignant expression on her face.
"Dontcallmethat."
Seeing her getting riled up, an amused Parker couldn't resist teasing her just a little more. Reaching over, he tweaked her nose and winked at her.
"What should I call you then….Little Bit?"
Truly unamused, Cee Cee curled little fists at her waist and leaned in close to Parker.
"Un-huh. My name is CeliaJoyBooth and you better 'member that, buster."
"Oh, but you can call me buster, huh?"
"Yep. Cause I'm the LITTLE sister."
"Okay then LITTLE sister….now can I finish my video game?"
He turned to face the screen again, only to feel an impatient tug on his sleeve.
"But Paaarrker, I wanna play!"
Looking back at her pleading eyes, Parker knew that the game was over for now. He'd never been all that good at saying no to his baby sister. Even if she was a pain sometimes. And truthfully, though he would never admit it to anyone even under the threat of a lifetime ban from his X-box, he kinda had fun when she was around.
"What is it this time twer….Cee Cee? Tea party again?"
Smiling brightly now that she had her brother's full attention, Cee Cee sat next to her brother on the floor and crossed her legs.
"Nope. I 'cided tea parties are for girls."
"And you aren't a girl?"
"Some of the times. But today I'ma sweetpea."
"Who told you that?"
"My Daddy did…Now can we play?"
Parker couldn't resist one more teasing comment. After all…he couldn't make it too easy for her.
"Maybe later. Right now I wanna…."
"I'm gonna tell Mama you're playing that stupid game and she's gonna make do the FLASH-cards again!"
As she stood to leave the room, Parker realized that he may have pushed his luck too far. She wasn't above telling on him, and he dreaded the idea of another session with the flashcards. This week it was the periodic table.
"Wait….sweetpea. Ummm, what was it you wanted to play again?"
Turning back to him with a satisfied smile on her face, Cee Cee revealed her plan.
"Pirates. 'Member you told 'bout when you and Mama caught the pirate?"
"Uh, yeah….but first you gotta show me that you can be tough enough to go chasin' pirates."
Stumped, she had to think about it for a second. Parker was serious about the pirate game. Finally, she narrowed her eyes, wrinkled her nose and gave the loudest growl she could manage.
"Aaarrrgghh!"
Mock fear on his face, Parker leaned back and placed a hand to his chest.
"Whew, boy. That was pretty tough for a sweetpea!"
The little girl beamed with pride at her brother's words.
"Un-huh. I been practicin'. Now will you play pirates with me Parker...Pleeeeassee.?"
"Oh, alright….I guess you talked me into it."
Cee Cee gave a squeal of delight and wrapped her arms around her brother's neck.
"Parker you are my favoritest brother in the whole wide world."
Hearing her words brought a smile to Parker's face, and for a brief moment he dropped the big-brother bravado and placed a hand at her back, returning her hug.
But as much as big brothers may adore their little sisters, it is not always something that the express easily. So, after a moment, Parker leaned away from the hug and rolled his eyes at the look of hero-worship on his sister's face.
"Cee Cee….I'm your ONLY brother."
"Right now….but I wanna big brother AND a little brother. I just gotta think of a plan."