Out of Control
The sun was getting high in the sky when Peter finally dragged himself out of bed. He grabbed some clean clothes out of his dresser and looked around the room. Rubbing his eyes he left the bedroom and went into the bathroom. After a quick shower he dressed and got ready to start the day. If was funny, he mused, he took care to look his best in the morning, and when he came home he always was a mess.
In the kitchen Edmund was reading the newspaper when Peter finally came downstairs. Neither of them spoke; Edmund was thinking about last night and the previous day. Something had really upset his older brother, his curious side wanted to know what that was. He knew he couldn't bring it up though, that would be the quickest way to make Peter angry. Edmund didn't want to admit it, but sometimes his brother's temper scared him. It was really only a matter of time before Peter flat out attacked him, his only hope was that Susan and Lucy didn't find out. He was still positive that Peter would never hurt the girls.
Peter entered the kitchen and got himself a piece of bread with honey. He looked at Edmund and then turned his attention elsewhere. "Where did Susan and Lucy go?" He asked suddenly. Edmund looked up at him in shock.
"Um... they went to visit Mrs. Stanley down the street. Her husband and son died recently." Edmund said before he continued to read the paper. Peter tried to remember who Mrs. Stanley was but came up blank. Edmund understood Peter's confusion. "Mrs. Stanley went to school with mum. She lives in the apartment above the shop on the corner. Their house was bombed during the Blitz." He said without looking up from the newspaper.
"Oh." Peter finished his breakfast and left the kitchen. Edmund put the paper down and sighed heavily. Things were getting tenser between them. He didn't think there was a thing he could do about it. It was Peter's turn to make an effort. And Edmund knew that Peter wouldn't do a thing. A few minutes later Edmund heard the front door open and then shut. For a few minutes he remained sitting at the table, but then he stood up and looked at the front door. Peter's jacket was missing as usual. Edmund wondered where Peter went during the day, but then thought he was probably better off not knowing.
It was early afternoon when Susan and Lucy came home. They were quiet as they removed their jackets and shoes. "Mrs. Stanley is falling ill." Lucy said to Edmund when they all sat in the living room. "She looks so frail. It's horrid."
"Is there anything we can do?" Edmund asked even though he knew the answer. There was no money or extra food to help anyone with. Susan and Lucy shook their heads.
"I hate being so helpless." Lucy said after some silence. "In Narnia we did everything we could to help everyone who needed it. I don't like being a child again! I can't do anything anymore!"
Edmund moved from the chair to the couch beside his little sister and hugged her. "Lucy, just being there helps people greatly. Everyone loves you. You always know what to say to people when they're upset. You can do a lot."
"Thank you Edmund." Lucy said softly. She smiled a little and got a thoughtful expression on her face. "I have an idea! We should go and visit people in the hospital! There are so many soldiers who don't get any visitors!"
"That's a great idea Lucy." Susan said with a smile. "We'll have to ask mum first though." Lucy nodded and then the three siblings fell into comfortable conversation. They made plans to go visit people in the hospital and to visit Mrs. Stanley again. For once they didn't mention Peter.