Exactly fifteen minutes later, the doorbell rang. Cedric answered it, and there were Bert and Lisa standing there.

"Hi Bert, hi Lisa," Cedric said. "Boy, am I glad you guys are here!"

"Bert told me what was going on around here," Lisa said. "He figured I'd be able to help. We'll straighten Forest out for you."

"Thanks, guys," Cedric said. "I just don't know what to do anymore."

Cedric led Bert and Lisa upstairs to Forest's room. He had stopped throwing his tantrum, and was now sitting on his bed, sniffling.

"Forest, Uncle Bert and Auntie Lisa are here to talk to you," Cedric said.

"I don't wanna apologize," Forest whined. "I still hate Evelyn."

"It's worse than I thought," Lisa said. "Don't worry, Cedric. We'll take care of it."

Cedric nodded and left. Bert and Lisa came in and sat down on the bed, on either side of Forest. Forest sniffled, and wiped his eyes with his fist.

"Hey, come on, little buddy," Bert said, putting his arm around Forest's shoulders. "It's okay. Everything's gonna be all right. Why don't you tell your ol' buddy Bert what the problem is."

"Mommy and Daddy don't like me no more," Forest said. He let out a sob, and began crying all over again.

"Oh, Forest, that's not true," Lisa said, putting her hand on Forest's shoulder. "Your mom and dad love you very, very much."

"No they don't!" Forest cried. "All they ever do is talk about Evelyn, and pay attention to Evelyn, and play with Evelyn, and do everything with Evelyn. They don't read me stories anymore, and they don't play with me anymore, and they say they're gonna do it later, and then it's later, and they never do it. And Gampa said there's no room for both of us. They don't like me no more!"

"Aw, Forest," Bert said, giving Forest's shoulders a squeeze. "Come on, don't cry. Babies need a lot of attention. They can't do anything for themselves."

"But it's not fair!" Forest wailed.

"I know it doesn't seem like it's fair," Lisa said, pulling Forest into her lap. She began rocking him back and forth. "And I know it seems like your parents don't have time for you anymore. I know just how you feel, Forest."

"You do?" Forest sniffled, and looked up at Lisa.

"I sure do," Lisa replied, as she continued rocking Forest. "I felt the same way you did when Bentley was born. My dad took my mom to the hospital, and my grandmother came over to take care of me while my mom had Bentley. At first, I was excited to have a baby brother, but then, I noticed that Mom and Dad were always busy with Bentley, and he got all the attention and all the presents. And all anyone ever talked to me about was Bentley. They would say things like, 'oh isn't your little brother just adorable?' or 'you must be so proud to be the big sister of such a darling baby.' I felt if someone said how cute Bentley was one more time, I was going to throw up. I didn't think Mom and Dad loved me anymore."

"Do you hate Uncle Bentley, Auntie Lisa?"

"Well, no. I thought I did, but I just hated that he got all the attention. And all the presents. Being a big sister or a big brother isn't easy. I went through just what you're going through, Forest. I threw about ten tantrums a day. It got me attention, but not the attention I wanted. Finally, my grandmother talked to me about it. She said that Mom and Dad still loved me, and they always will love me, no matter what. Then she said that I should talk to them myself, so I did. And you know what?"

"What?"

"Mom and Dad said that they still loved me and they always would love me, no matter how many kids they have. They had enough love in their hearts for both me and Bentley. There was plenty of room for both of us in their hearts. Then, they said they would set a special time for me to be with them, with no interruptions at all. And I felt a lot better. And there's enough room in your mom and dad's hearts for both you and your sister. Now, don't you think you should talk to your mom and dad about how you've been feeling instead of throwing these tantrums?"

"But, what if they really don't like me no more?"

"You'll never know unless you try."

Forest thought it over. He sniffled, and then nodded his head.

"Kay," he said.

"Okay," Lisa replied, patting Forest's back. "Bert, go get Cedric and Sophia for me, would you?"

"You got it," Bert said, and he got up and left the room. Forest staid on Lisa's lap for the time being, thinking it over. Bert returned a few minutes later with Cedric and Sophia, but Forest found he couldn't start the conversation. Lisa saw this, and decided to get the ball rolling.

"Cedric, Sophia," she said. "Forest has something he wants to tell you."

"What is it, Forest?" Sophia asked.

"Go on, Forest," Bert said. "Tell your mom and dad what you told us. They'll listen."

"Sure we will, Forest," Cedric said. "You know you can tell us anything."

Forest looked up at Cedric, suddenly burst into tears, and leaned against Lisa.

"Forest, sweetie, what's the matter?" Sophia asked.

"You . . . . you don't like me no more!" Forest wailed, unable to control himself. "All you ever do is talk about stupid old Evelyn! You don't pay attention to me! And . . . and Gampa said there wasn't enough room for both of us, and . . . . and . . . ."

Forest found he couldn't go on. He began to cry hysterically just then.

"Is that was this is all about?" Cedric asked. He took Forest from Lisa, and gave him the biggest hug he could muster, and began stroking his hair. "Oh, Forest, why didn't you tell us?"

"You were always so busy with Evelyn," Forest said, sniffling. "I thought you wouldn't listen, or tell me to come back later or something."

"Oh, Forest, I know we've been busy with the new baby," Sophia said, wiping away Forest's tears. "But that doesn't mean we don't love you, too."

"It doesn't?" Forest asked, sniffling.

"That's right," Cedric said. "We love you very much, Forest. And we always will love you, and Evelyn, no matter what. We've been spending so much time with her because babies need a lot of attention. But we didn't mean to ignore you."

"Really?" Forest asked.

"Really," Sophia said. "And we're very sorry we haven't been giving you enough attention. And there is room for both you and your sister. There's always room for both of you."

"Forest, I have an idea," Cedric said. "Every day, Mommy and I will each set aside some special time just for you, and we'll do whatever you want, and they'll be no interruptions. Would you like that?"

"Yeah!" Forest shouted, hugging Cedric around the neck. "I love you, Daddy."

"I love you, too, Forest," Cedric replied. Forest then looked over at Sophia, and reached his arms out to her. Sophia took him in her arms and gave him a big hug and a big kiss.

"I love you, Mommy," Forest said.

"I love you, too, Forest," Sophia said. "I love you so much!"

Lisa watched, and smiled, feeling a bit misty eyed. Then she sighed.

"It sort of gets to you, doesn't it Bert?" she asked. She didn't get a response. "Bert? Bert!"

Lisa glanced over at Bert, and saw that he was bawling over the scene.

"Sorry, Lisa," he sniffled. "But these touching family moments always make me cry!"

Bert pulled out his handkerchief and blew his nose into it, resulting in a honk that sounded like a dying goose. Lisa rolled her eyes and groaned. Cedric then turned to Bert and Lisa.

"Would you two mind staying here and keeping an eye on Evelyn?" he asked. "Sophia and I are going to take Forest out for some ice cream."

"Really?" Forest asked.

"Yes, we think you've been punished enough," Sophia said. "As of now, your punishment is over."

"Yaaayyy!" Forest cheered.

"See, what did I tell you?" Lisa said.

"Thanks, Auntie Lisa," Forest said, giving her a hug.

"And don't worry about Evelyn, you guys," Bert said. "We'll be glad to take care of her while you spend some time with Forest, right Lisa?"

"Right," Lisa said. "No problem at all."

"Great, thanks," Cedric said. He, Sophia, and Forest then left. It finally looked like things were going to get back to normal.