My Siblings

A week after my first adventure, my parents came to me with "such exciting news" as they called it. Exciting news? More like a devastating change in my perfectly constructed way of life. I mean, for a mouse, I had a pretty good life. My allowance was a whole cheese cube a week. How much better can it get. I know, right?

My parents called me into the living room. I was extremely nervous. They only did that when I was in trouble. I couldn't imagine why. I had, after all, practically saved Mother's life. Then, my brain registered the "exciting news" part. I got excited. Maybe I was going to get a present for swooping in like a hero and saving Mother! I stopped my swordplay and hurried to the living room. There my parents sat looking nervous but very excited. My father especially. That was unusual, because normally it was my mother that got all flustered and nervous.

I scampered quickly to the room and stopped right outside the door. Hmm. Maybe I should make a grand entrance, or maybe a speech. Wasn't that what all the fancy movie stars did? And they hadn't even saved a life! So there I stood by the door, trying to decide between a really fancy kick like they did in those cool spy movies, or flinging open the door and somersaulting in. I had finally decided on the fancy kick, when I heard my parents' murmuring.

"How do you think he'll take it?" my mother fretted.

"I'm sure he'll be excited, dear," I heard my father say. "I always wanted a brother when I was his age."

"But this isn't going to be a brother. I can just feel it."

"Oh, please. Just because that's what an old blind grandmouse told you, doesn't make it true. And besides, everyone in my family has always had sons. It's practically tradition."

"Well maybe I want to break tradition!"

When I heard this, I slumped against the door. I couldn't believe it! My parents were having another child! And a girl no less. Everyone knew girls had gross cooties. Why you'd be contaminated if you even touched one. That's what, Billy, my classmate said. (Though looking back, I think he was too afraid a girl might take his place as class president. Which one did.) Why on earth would they want to do that? Was I not a perfect enough son? I knew I just had to save my parents from the terrible mistake they were making. I threw open the door and marched in. But before I could say anything, my mother grabbed me into a tight hug.

"You're going to have a little brother or sister!" my mother exclaimed.

I didn't say anything. Partly because I was still in shock, but mostly because of my mother's stranglehold on me. I looked at my father with pleading eyes. He sighed and placed a gentle hand on my mother's shoulder. Not like we really have shoulders, but you get the picture.

"Giselle, perhaps you should let go of him so he can breathe," he remarked gently.

She blushed. "Oh, of course." She loosened her grip on me. "I'm sorry, darling."

I took a few deep breathes. "That's all right, Mom." Before I knew what I was doing, I blurted out, "Why are you having another kid. I thought our family was perfect they way it was."

My mother's face softened. "Of course it is, dear. But don't you want to make it even more perfect? Just think, you'll now have someone to play with, and teach them how to do things. Won't that be fun?"

I shook my head. "No, I like my family just the way it is." I crossed my arms and pouted a little.

At this, my father entered the conversation. "Now look here, son. There's absolutely nothing you nor even me can do about this. Your mother is pregnant, and we are going to have another member in our family. Instead of thinking only about yourself, how about caring about what your mother wants and needs? It is time for you to grow up a little. Actually, having another sibling will be good for you. Now, no more complaints. Do you understand?"

I nodded meekly. He was right, and I knew it. But I was definitely not going to admit it. Instead, I kissed my parents and said goodnight. Back in my room on collapsed onto my matchbox bed and sighed. So many thoughts and questions ran through my head, crisscrossing like some sort of weird relay race. Would I have to share my room? What about my toys? Oh no, even worse, what would happen to my cheese cube allowance? Babies cost a lot of money, I knew that much. What if my parents loved this new mouse more than me? With these alarming thoughts racing through my head, I slowly drifted off. My last thought was, life is about to change drastically.