Inspired by a Tumblr post by Flyboy and Waterfowl. They were talking about Scott's long legs and said:
Just imagine the struggle of shorter, stumpier legs trying to keep up with that Greyhound in stride. Gordon, then Alan, when little, likely barely touched the ground if the brothers needed to get from A to B - it was more expedient to just carry them. John CAN keep up and is a little bit smug about it. Ok, a lot. Virgil was exasperated, when a kid. Now he's just resigned and perpetually lowkey worried - the Tracy Cheetah will rush far ahead (mostly into danger) and he needs to make it there to pick up the pieces.
It was Virgil's first day and the five of them - Mom, Scott, John and baby Gordon - were walking from the bus stop to his new school.
'Walking' was a matter of opinion…
Being Virgil's first day of kindergarten meant that it was also Scott and John's first day in third grade, and his oldest brother was especially excited for school this year. This year they had jumped John up a year to be with him, and Scott wanted to make sure they got sat together when the formal seating plan was finalised.
Lucy watched with increasing amusement as Scott, still only 'walking', shot ahead of his younger brothers, only to remember he wasn't alone and stop, wait for them to catch up, then charge ahead again. It was almost as if her eldest didn't realise how long his legs were or how fast he could actually walk. John could keep up for a short while, his legs being almost as long, but Virgil had no chance.
She quietly laughed as Virgil finally had had enough, sitting abruptly down and refusing to budge until Scott returned to talk to him. Her amusement softened to pride as Scott managed to get Virgil moving again by letting the youngster cling to his back.
John didn't even attempt to keep up this time, waiting for her to catch up and strolling alongside. Instead he held her hand and chatted quietly about things he was excited to be learning this year.
Gordon had no need to worry about the speed of his oldest brother. He was happily gurgling away, strapped to Lucy's front and seeming to find all his brothers' antics as funny as she was.
Lucy caught up with Scott and Virgil at the gate to the kindergarten part of the school, and she bid the two oldest have a great first day and turned her attention to a suddenly shy Virgil.