Buster was back home after spending the last week with his father. They had visited Miami together, and Buster had lots of fun in the exotic city. As he rode his mother's car to Lakewood Elementary Buster couldn't wait to tell Arthur about the adventure he had - not to mention show off all the great film he captured. He had tried calling Arthur a few times, but the Read's phone number was disconnected for some reason. Buster wondered if DW had broke the line - she had been getting worse last time he spoke with Arthur.
"I can't wait to show Arthur all the fun I had."
""I'm sure Arthur will be excited to learn all about Miami," Bitzi responded, her stomach sinking at the lie she was telling. She knew she should have told Buster what had happened with the Reads, but she couldn't bring herself to do it.
"It's too bad the airport wouldn't let us take those oranges on flight," Buster said, "but at least I got a T-shirt."
"Yes, that's looking on the bright side," Bitzi said nervously.
They had finally reached Lakewood Elementary. Bitzi pulled up onto the school's driveway.
"Well, hear we are," Bitzi announced. She knew she should tell him the truth before others did.
"Okay," Buster said as he unbuckled his seatbelt. "Bye, Mom. Have a good day at work."
"Bye, Buster. Have a good day at school."
Buster closed the car door. Bitzi stared at her reflection in the rearview window with contempt. Your pathetic, she thought to herself. She knew she should have told him when she could instead of keep him in the dark as long as possible.
Buster walked into Mr. Ratburn's classroom. All but one student was present.
"Where's Arthur?" Buster asked.
"You mean nobody told you?" Francine asked in shock.
"Tell me what?" Buster asked.
"DW burned the Read's house down," Muffy answered, "she was angry that nobody recorded a special episode of Mary Moo Cow."
"What? Nah, that's crazy," Buster shook his head, "she isn't that bratty."
"Oh, yes, she is," George said, "I was practicing my pogo stick a block from Arthur's house when I smelled the smoke. I walked over and I saw his house was now a pile of ash while the cops actually arrested DW. The whole town is still buzzing about it."
"How would DW start a massive house fire?" Buster asked skeptically.
"Well, the media reported that she threw a flammable item in the Read's oven and set the temperature at the maximum," Brain explained, "did you try calling Arthur while you away?"
"Sure. The line was disconnected."
"Of course it was, the house isn't there anymore," Muffy replied.
Buster's shook his head in disagreement but had no words. It just couldn't be true. DW was a problem child, yes, but actually destroying her own home over something so pointless? The Reads were a good family - he wished his family was still together. They didn't deserve something like that. And if she did what happened to Arthur and the Reads?
"Was anybody hurt in the fire?"
"Yes, but not Arthur."
Buster wondered if he should ask "who?" when Mr. Ratburn walked in. "Good morning class."
"Mr. Ratburn, is it true that Arthur's house was burned down by DW?"
Mr. Ratburn grimaced. "Why, yes Buster, I'm afraid that she did indeed."
Buster felt a chill down his spine. "Where is Arthur now?"
"I don't really know to be perfectly honest," Mr. Ratburn stretched his head, "Child Protective Services took him and Kate somewhere. The only Read still in Elwood City is DW, who is in the city's mental institution. His parents left town separately."
Buster's voice cracked. "So I'm never going to see him again?"
The rest of the class exchanged looks. The idea of Arthur and Buster being permanently separated seemed unbelievably cruel.
"Well, never say never," Mr. Ratburn coughed awkwardly, "anyway, lets start our lesson for today..."
One month earlier
Nora clicked her pen. "So, how has DW been recently?"
"Relatively good," Jane answered.
David frowned. "Given her behavior last week that's not saying much."
"Well, we have to start somewhere positive."
"I suppose," David muttered half-heartedly.
"Jane, do you remember our discussion about setting boundaries for DW?" Nora asked.
Jane nodded. "I made it clear that it wasn't acceptable to leave the fridge open."
"And how did you set that boundary?"
"We have a conversation about it and I urged her not to do it again"
David gave a snicker.
Jane glared daggers at him. "Oh? So tell me, Mr. Culinary Expert, what would you have done instead?"
"Well," David answered, "I would have either punished her or made it clear a punishment would happen if she left it open again."
"I told her there would be serious consequences if I caught her doing this again."
"Okay, did you lay out what consequences would occur?"
Jane blushed. "That wasn't necessary."
"Yes it was," David argued, "you use the word 'consequence' so frequently it means nothing anymore."
"Well, she closed the fridge after I said it. So I clearly did something right."
"Maybe," David said in obvious disbelief.
Nora cleared her throat. "Have you two ever thought that perhaps DW should see a mental health counselor?"
"Are you implying that my daughter has psychological issues?" a visibly enraged Jane asked.
Nora was taken aback by the severity of Jane's response. "There's nothing wrong with having mental health problems, Jane. A very large percentage of the population does. I doesn't reflect on who you are"
"I know that," Jane snapped.
"Well, then why not explore the possibility?" Nora responded, "I know a good therapist who specializes with children."
"No thank you."
"Jane, we should consider the possibility."
"No, David. Her problems aren't that bad."
After two hours of a surprisingly competitive game, Arthur beat Mo at Monopoly after she bankrupted when landing on his hotel at Boardwalk. Mo had to do homework, and upon returning found Arthur had dozed off on his new bed. Mo went downstairs.
"How is Arthur?" asked Loretta upon looking up from her magazine and noticing her daughter.
"I don't know. Okay, I suppose. He asked me if I thought DW would ever be a better person."
"And what did you say?"
"I answered honestly that I had no idea," Mo responded.
Loretta sighed.
"Should I have lied?"
Loretta shook her head. "No, you shouldn't have lied. But I don't think Arthur fully realizes how permanent the changes in his life have become. He's pretty much starting all over again. He'll be even more distraught when this fully hits him."
Mo bit her lip. "When do you think that will be?"
"I don't know. But I suspect he's more likely to confide in you than any of us, so tell me if anything's wrong."
"Of course," Mo promised.
Loretta nodded and returned to her magazine.
"Do you think DW ever will change?" Mo asked suddenly.
Loretta was surprised by the question, frowning as she entered deep thought. "I think DW has hit rock bottom at an age where she can't lift herself up. She's going to need years of psychiatric treatment. I can't imagine how difficult that is going to be for a girl of just age six."
"Is that a yes or a no?" Mo asked bluntly.
"It's not that simple. DW is going to have her life changed the worst of all the Reads and not only because of institutionalization. If she does indeed develop more empathy with time, she'll have to live with lifelong guilt over her terrible actions. That kind of moral responsibility can crush souls."
Mo reflected on her mother's somber words. She had been so focused on thinking of the effects on Arthur she barely considered what kind of life DW might end up having after this disaster. Mo couldn't help but feel a wave of unexpected sympathy for her bratty cousin.
"Either way, I think discussion of DW is probably best avoided around Arthur and keep at the minimum when unavoidable."
Mo nodded her head. "Agreed."