Scott was her most stubborn son. If he didn't like something he would let you know by the flashing of his eyes and occasionally by the stamping of his feet. He had a temper that both parents were wary of provoking, but he soon burnt his anger out.
John was completely the opposite. There was very little that riled the quiet child, but when he did get angry not only would his eyes flash but his nostrils would flare and he would give the target a hard stare that reminded Lucy of her second-favourite character, Paddington Bear. And he would hold onto that anger for ages, days even, before he would let go.
Thank goodness Virgil was like neither of his older brothers. As laid back as John and as passionate as Scott, so far he had been just easy-going.
Until today.
Today was the second day of school. Yesterday he had been tearful and fretful about leaving her and toddler Gordon, and only the promise that John and Scott were in the same building even if they were not in the same class calmed Virgil down enough to leave her and enter the gates.
He'd been full of the day's activities and had proudly shown off his painting. It was two handprints in green. As a former teacher herself she knew what to expect, but she'd have paid good money to see the kindergarten teacher's face when Virgil converted the two handprints into a clear painting of a dog and a cat.
But today the five-year-old was acting worse than his elder brothers combined.
Virgil had refused to get out of bed.
Lucy had wheedled. Had promised treats. Had used her best teacher voice. Even Scott listened to her when she used that. But Virgil stayed resolutely in bed, clutching the blanket around him tightly.
He had shed tears. Had refused every treat that his Mom had offered, even his favourite foods and activities. Clung onto the blankets until his knuckles were white. Even John wasn't that bad. He'd even slightly shouted at her 'NO!'
She didn't want to physically get the child out of bed, but if he didn't move soon they would all be late.
John and Scott stuck their heads around the door. Scott had Gordon on his hip and was feeding him some toast. John was carrying a book – as normal. They watched as Lucy tried one more bribe…that didn't work.
'Virg? What's the matter?'
But he wasn't even about to talk to his beloved oldest brother. John and Scott looked at each other and sat down on the bed, Scott shifting Gordon around so that he was now sitting on his lap. John opened the book and flicked through the pages, evidently looking for something, and Lucy hoped it would somehow help.
'Virgil. You are being ob…obsteb…obstrop…obstreperous.'
Lucy looked at John. The seven-year-old had taken to learning new words and using them when he could.
'Oooh. Nice word, John!'
John beamed at Scott's praise.
'It means being stubborn and defiant! Like Virgil is not getting out of bed for Mommy.'
Lucy ruffled his hair to John's annoyance and plucked Gordon off her eldest. Maybe they would have better luck, so she left them to it while she saw to her youngest needs.
'Virg? Don't. you want to go to school?'
He shook his head.
'I thought you enjoyed it yesterday!'
He nodded.
'You gonna speak? Or has the cat got your tongue?'
Round rich chestnut eyes stared at him, and Scott sighed. He scooted up the bed and Virgil let go of the blanket and clung on to his waist instead. Scott ran a hand through his brother's thick black hair.
'What is it, Virg?'
His brother mumbled into his shirt, causing both Scott and John to roll their eyes. Scott gently shifted Virgil around until he could lift his chin and they were looking at each other.
'Why don't you want to get up?'
'Too early!'
As if to punctuate his statement Virgil yawned. Widely.
John burst out laughing.