" Ok girls, just like I told you, with the right index finger, bring the yarn from the ball under and over the point of the right needle. Continue until your done and I show you what's up next" Nana instructed.

"WE KNOW! You've only said that ten times in the past fifteen minutes, you old hag!" Miss Petunia had to fight back.

"Oh, just shut up please! Honestly, this is supposed to be happy girl time, so don't ruin !" Melody desperately tried to make peace.

This is something we girls did every week. We just called it the Knitting Circle, a little women only social club where we discuss happenings over the week and catch up with each other. The reason for Nana's constant instruction, no one was talking. Our newest inductee is little Sue Pea, who is still trying desperately to get her first stitch just right.

"Mommy, this is hard!!! I can't do this!" Sue Pea whined. What would I give to make her shut up.

"Here honey, let me get that for you" Petunia kindly offered.

" You know, if you keep on doing everything for her, she'll never learn….." Nana nagged.

"You raise your kids your way, I'll raise mine!" Petunia yelled. And so it began.

"I'm done raising mine, and they turned out pretty damn good!"

"Then why do they still live with you?"

" At least mine ain't bastards!" Nana retaliated.

"You take that back!"

"Make me!" When the knitting needles were drawn in a sword like fashion, I feared a battle of epic proportions was about to begin. Thankfully, Neville came to end the war before it began.

"Lydia dear, can I see you for a minute, it's important."

"Yes!" I quickly responded. I walked out of the room, hoping Melody can keep the two civil.

"What is it Neville dear?" I asked.

"I received a letter from your sister Monica, I don't know what for, but she wrote it was important on the back of the envelope."

I haven't heard from my sister in years. She never wrote, never visited, never came to family reunions. I guess I lost all contact with her, seeing how Waverly, Ursula and I made her life a living hell. It was fun.

"Let me see." I quickly snatched the letter from his hands and opened it. I had no clue what Monica could possible want after ten years. It was when I read it, realized it was truly worth writing about.

Dear Lydia,

I know this may seem odd, seeing how I hate you, but I am in need of your help. You see, my son Biff has gotten himself into some terrible trouble. I never got the full story, but he 's an accomplice in a bank robbery and shooting! I have no idea what to do. With mom, dad, and Ursula gone, you're the only responsible one I can turn to. Can you find it your heart to do this one favor for me? Take Biff in. He won't be a burden, I promise. He just needs a strong role model, like the men in your house, to set him back on track. O please Lydia, my almost sweet sister. I would be in total gratitude if you did this. Call me on my new number. It's in the envelope somewhere.

Your baby sister,

Monica Atlas

I felt a sudden shock of fear and remorse. How could I be so wicked to her all those years ago? I knew she had I son, but what became of her husband? The last thing I wanted was another male in the house, but she's my sister. She needed me.

"Neville, I think we should call and tell her Biff can stay."

"You want to think about that first?" Neville seemed surprised. He knew I would never say such a think without at least trying to talk myself out of it first.

"No, no, I think it will be alright. He can live in the basement next to Shivers." It was then Neville gave me an awkward glance. Then I realized, I would never force anyone to live next to Shivers. He would be scared for life listening to his fantasies.

"Ok, he can live in the guest room." With a sigh of relief, Neville left, hoping I knew what I was doing. I managed to find the new number on a thinly cut piece of paper. I grabbed the phone, dialed the number, and tried to swallow my nerves before she picked up. After several rings, I hoped I would be lucky and leave a message. But suddenly, I heard a weak, shaken voice.

"……..Hello?"

"Hi, Monica. It's Lydia. I got your letter."

"O Thank God you called. It seemed forever since I sent that letter. Listen I don't mean to put this on you but-"

"No sweetie it's alright. You sounded like you need help." She seemed stressed. I began to worry.

"Sorry. Things have been….difficult for me the past few months." I heard so much sadness in her voice, like she was about to cry.

"Why?" I asked, trying to find some answers.

"Well………………"

"What happened?" I demanded to know.

"Roger left me. Three months ago. We ran into some bad luck financially and he left without warning, leaving me with all the bills."

I was in a state of horror. What a bastard! How dare he leave her with bills she can't pay on her own! This is the lowest a man could ever sink. It was despicable!

"I can't believe it! That son of a bitch! Why didn't you call sooner!"

"I thought because we never talked, you wouldn't care…." I could understand why she thought so.

"Monica, we are family. If you need help, you can call me when ever. But, why the new number?"

"With Roger gone, Biff and I didn't a steady income. We lost our home and had to move to an apartment in the city." Now I was furious.

"That's horrible! I promise, if I ever see him again, I will pay for the funeral." I felt some relief hearing her giggle on the other end.

"You don't have to go to such trouble. So, about Biff, can he stay?" Such hope she had in her voice. It almost made me cry.

"Biff can stay with us for as long as he wants."

"O THANK YOU LYDIA! Just Thank you! How can I ever repay you?" She shouted happily.

"Just promise me you'll call once in a while to check up with me. I'm worried about you."

"I promise, I'll be there with Biff this Saturday. Is that ok?"

"Sounds great sis. See you then. Bye"

"Bye" she answered quickly, and then hung up. This Saturday was the day before the festival, if Waverly, Warren and Vincent were to win their competitions tomorrow. I made my way back up to our Knitting Circle, hoping no one was dead. I called to Shivers to clean the room next to Sir Weston. It should be a good room for Biff to stay. While on my way up, I bumped into a familiar dancing couple.

"O, Lydia, we're so sorry. Just practicing before tomorrow!" Waverly and Warren seemed especially giddy for running me over. What could I do. I knew if I yelled at them, their spirits would be crushed, and they would blame me over the next three months for making them lose.

"How did Nana and Petunia turn out?" I asked, hoping all was calm.

"OOOHHH, I don't know, I left when Nana slapped Petunia, and Petunia kicked her in her bad knee." She said in her happy voice.

"Oh GOD!" I rushed over to Nana's room and practically knocked down the door. The bloody battle field I pictured in my mind, turned out to be a pleasant reality. Nana was in her chair, Petunia was sitting with Sue pea, and Melody was in the middle.

"Oh, well how nice does this look." I said, teasingly. Nana and Petunia gave me snotty smiles in return.

" So Melody, how did you stop the brawl?" I had to know. Melody was one of the only three people who could make peace between them.

"Well, I had to get a little hands on, but after some yelling, I put them in separate corners, and they stopped fighting."

"O thank God. I don't know what would happen if we had to go through another lawsuit of Nana vs. Miss Petunia."

" I still won that case!" Nana proclaimed.

"Your just lucky because you could get a lawyer!" Petunia fought back.

"Ladies! What did we discuss." Melody said in an annoyed tone. Instantly the two shut up. I couldn't help but laugh a little. I went back to my own little corner and continued knitting my blanket for Chauncey.