"Linny, no."

"A.J., just a few hours each week. Melly will be fine…Ramona can look after her after lunch." Linda Simon stared at her husband.

"A.J., I wouldn't have thought it of you, but you sure sounded like a male chauvinist there. Why would my spending a few hours a week out of the house be so bad for Melly?"

Rick stood outside the door of his brother's condo, surprised into silence by the sound of the raised voices. Lowering his hand from the doorknocker, he waited a moment, then called, "Hello, Linda? A.J.?"

There was a quiet exchange of words, then the door opened and he saw a red-faced A.J. in the entryway. "Hey, uh, Rick. You're early."

"No, I think I might just be in time; Laurie's only a few minutes behind me." Rick decided he'd better let his brother and sister-in-law know what he heard. "If you guys want to finish your discussion, I can wait outside."

"No, Rick. I don't want to upset Laurie." Linda appeared behind her husband, her eyes wet. Rick pushed past his brother and hugged her. "I'm sorry if you two are having a problem, if you want me to butt out, I will."

"Oh Rick, .." Linda returned his embrace, then stepped back and wiped her eyes. A.J. stole a look at his wife, then hung his head as she said, "Maybe I'm making too much out of this, but..I wanted to help Rudy at the clinic one or two days each week. Melly can go to Robbie and Ramona's after kindergarten with Robin….she'll be fine. But A.J….."

Rick turned, his temper starting to rise as his brother cleared his throat. "I don't want Melly having to be baby-sat that much. Yeah, once in a while's all right, but I want Linny home for the kids, not having to depend on someone else…."

"You mean like us, isn't that it, A.J….?"

His brother tensed at Rick's harsh tone, then shot back "It didn't hurt us any…."

"No, because Mom gave up bridge club and book clubs and all sorts of things until we were older."

A.J. shot Rick a stubborn look. "Is wanting your child to feel secure that their mother is always home for them being a chauvinist? It's not like Linny has worked recently."

Rick scowled at him. "What do you think she does when she's taking care of the kids, huh? I don't believe you……raising 4 kids is hard work….not to mention making your dinner and keeping house. Geeze, what's gotten into you? I ought to tell Mom on you!"

At that A.J. had the good grace to look ashamed. "I'm not saying Linny doesn't work hard, but …."

"But what, A.J.?" Linda stood in the doorway, an angry expression clouding her youthful face. "You honestly don't think I've ever worked hard?"

"Of course you did, but how many years ago was that?" A.J. started, then Rick interrupted. "A.J., what did Father Nick teach you about having a disagreement? For that matter, what about you? We don't have that much on our plates, what's wrong with spending some more time with the kids? They're only little once." Rick spoke evenly, trying not to raise his voice."

At that both A.J. and Linda looked at each other, then A.J.'s eyes moistened. "Linny, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to treat you like that. Forgive me…of course you can help Rudy."

"Oh, A.J…..maybe you're right…..I don't want to miss out on things with Melly…." Linda began, then Rick pretended to throw up his hands.

"Linda, I give up, don't let him off so easy…….I'd hate to see when you really have a fight."

"Who's having a fight?"

The three Simons turned around as Laurie came in the open door, her expression nervous.

"Nobody, darlin'." Rick was quick to assure her as he stepped forward and kissed her cheek. "You made good time."

Laurie forced a smile as she greeted her "little brother" and sister-in-law. "There wasn't much traffic for middle of the week. Dr. Stone was able to see Rex right away."

Rick took her hand and ushered her to a seat in the living room as Linda went to get some ice tea. "What did he say, Sis." A.J. asked, fetching a pillow for her back.

Laurie squeezed Rick's hand, then quietly said, "Dr. Stone was very gentle with Rex, I don't think he felt much pain from the exam. Afterwards, he said that Rex" Laurie paused, then took a deep breath, "has severe arthritis, and a large bone spur on his spine. He's in a lot of pain, and though they can keep him comfortable for a few months….he's not going to have much ….quality of life."

"Oh, sweetheart." Rick ached for her. Linda brought her a glass of tea, and sitting next to her, put an arm around her. "I'm sorry, sis. Rex is such a good dog…."

"Thank you, Linny…..oh A.J., I'm so glad you found Dr. Stone for us..he was so nice." Laurie began, then she caught sight of Rick's worried face, and she tried to smile. "Darling, you would have laughed, Rexy saw another terrier in the waiting room, and he was so cute, trying to show off…oh Rick!" she broke down and started to cry as Rick took her in his arms.

"It's all right, Laurie…." Rick comforted her, stroking her hair as she wept into his chest. A.J. and Linda silently wiped their eyes, knowing the decision that had to be made was tearing their "sis" apart.

After a few minutes, Laurie raised her face from Rick's damp shirt, then kissed him. "Thank you for being my rock, love. And you two…" she held out a hand to A.J. and Linda, who slid over and hugged her tightly.

"We love the little guy too, sis. But it wouldn't be fair…." Linda said, and Rick nodded.

"You're right, I take it that's why you left him with Dr. Stone?"

"Yes, Rick…..He said I should go home and talk to you, and come take him home tomorrow for the weekend. Doctor said the shot he gave him should help him for a few days." Laurie wiped her eyes with the napkin Linda gave her, then blew her nose.

Rick tried, but the grin that appeared on his lips made A.J. cover his mouth, trying not to laugh. Laurie saw both of them, and shook her head, smiling. "You two, I love you, never change….you either, Linny."

"I won't, as long as we have our family." Linda wiped her own eyes, then stood up. "I've got dinner almost ready….help me make the salad?"

"I'd love to….Rick…can you and A.J. round up the kids?" Laurie asked, as Rick helped her up and rubbed her back. She closed her eyes in relief as he said, "Sure, A.J. and I will get them washed up. Is your back hurting?"

"Not now…hmmmm, that's so much better." Laurie sighed, then gave him another kiss. "Thank you, love."

"You're welcome, sweetheart." Rick reluctantly released her from his arms, then watched her go into the kitchen.

As the door closed, Rick sighed. "I can't believe it-Rex isn't all that old, either. At least we'll have a couple of days with him."

"I'm sorry, Rick….and I guess we picked a bad time to have a disagreement too." A.J. said regretfully. His brother shook his head.

"I just can't believe you….wait a minute. Is this because of that seminar at your new church?"

From the look in A.J.'s eyes, Rick knew he'd hit the jackpot. "A.J…..why would you listen to such crap…Women belong in the home and no where else…please!"

"I know….I'm sorry I ever went to that. I let myself get carried away seeing all these young guys eating it up." The younger Simon admitted, then brightened up when Rick put an arm around his shoulders.

"I know you're smarter then that, A.J….heck, you've always been smarter then me. Remember, you and Mom are the ones who sent me after Laurie. I just…I just know hurting the one you love to pump up your ego is just plain wrong."

Hearing voices behind the kitchen door, A.J. embraced his brother. "Thanks, Rick. I guess I still need to learn from my big brother every now and then. I promise Linny will get a proper apology when you guys go home. Let's get the kids."

Rick almost forgot the whole discussion over the next day, with worrying about Laurie and trying to figure out what they should do with their ailing dog. A phone call brought it all back that weekend, as he was tiptoeing around the kitchen early Sunday morning, fixing breakfast.

"What the…who's calling so early." Rick wondered, grabbing for the extension.

"Simon residence."

"Rick…oh gosh, I'm sorry, I didn't know it was so early." Linda was on the line, and Rick instantly thought something was wrong.

"I'm awake, honey. What's up, is someone sick?"

"No…I'm sorry Rick. A.J. and I were talking…" at once she giggled, and Rick grinned, realizing A.J. was with her. "And…you got us to thinking. It's been so long since A.J. and I went away for a weekend. So, thanks to you, we've decided to go to Las Vegas next week. Oh, don't worry…" she added, as Rick started to offer congratulations. "Ricky and Ceci and Robin and Melly are going to go with Mom to see Aunt Annie in San Diego."

"That's great, honey. I'm glad you guys are going to have some fun. What are you two doing today?"

"We're going to go shopping, then have lunch with Mom. Do you want to come?"

Relieved that his brother and sister-in-law had talked things out, Rick agreed.

"Sure, that's a good idea. Let me talk to Laurie and call you back."

"Okay, talk to you later…A.J….!" Again Linda was distracted, and Rick quickly said,

"Bye, Linny!"

"Oh, sorry, bye!"

As he hung up, Rick chuckled. Only his brother would make amends so quickly; Linda had often spoken of how much fun she had the one time she and A.J. had been to Sin City.

"Rick!"

Startled, he heard Laurie let out a cry, and quickly he ran back to their bedroom and flung open the door.