RELUCTANT PRESS

Sheldon chuckled to himself when he heard that! Now he was off the hook! With wicked delight, he continued to eavesdrop.

"I believe I could talk my little brother, Frank, into being the ring bearer," stated Ginny. "He's in Cindy's class at school and they're close to the same size."

"Francis is really cute! He'd be perfect," gushed Cindy as she clapped her hands together. It was obvious to the smiling women that she had a crush on the boy.

Sheldon groaned. Frank Grim... all the girls fawned over him and called him Francis. The guys all called him Sissy Frannie. The boy was always neat and polite. He'd never do anything that might get him in trouble. Of course, living in a home without a father and no brothers, with a cute older sister, and with his mother operating the best beauty shop in town on the first floor of their home, what other choice did the guy have but to be a sissy? Of course Ginny would be able to talk him into being the ring bearer! He derisively thought she could talk him into being the flower girl...and he'd probably be as cute as Cindy! It was boys like "Frannie” who gave guys like him a bad rep!

Lost in his disgust with Frannie, Sheldon climbed down from the ladder to go over to the spring. For several minutes, he stared at the sparkling water as it bubbled forth from its rocky source into a small pool from which the family drew its water. Even he understood that it was forbidden to play there. But, as the water ran from the pool, it flowed through a narrow stone lined channel allowing the brook to cross the dirt floor of the basement. There he could play! Soon he was lost, slopping in the water.

By the time school left out, Sheldon was sick and tired of hearing about the wedding which was only nine days away. Nearly every conversation contained some reference to the event. At the supper table that evening, after he was chewed out for barely passing the fourth grade, the conversation turned to the wedding. Cindy was describing her dress to her stepfather when Sheldon snapped.

TWO LITTLE GIRLS

By JENNIFER SUE

Sheldon slammed his fist on the table, silencing everyone. "Wedding this! Wedding that! All I ever hear any more is the stupid wedding! Who gives a damn about your stupid dress," he snarled.

No one said a word, but all angrily stared at him. Instantly, he knew he'd overstepped the limits of acceptability, but he was too stubborn to back down. After several long moments under the silent glares, he pushed his chair from the table and stood.

"You don't have to say it, I know... GO TO YOUR ROOM!" With that, he turned and began to storm out of the room.

"No one said you could leave," Fred stated coldly in a voice that instantly stopped Sheldon. "Everyone has had their fill with your obnoxious attitude. Return to your seat, keep your mouth shut, and listen!"

Sheldon sheepishly sat down. Never had he heard his father so angry with him.

"You are a part of this family whether you like it or not," Fred said harshly. "We've let you get away with your nasty behavior for too long. It's time you grew up! Barry's wedding is important. If you so much as think about doing anything to disrupt the wedding or try to pull off one of your childish pranks, your ass will be grass! Do you understand me, young man?"

Meekly, he nodded his head to acknowledge that he understood his behavior had better be perfect for the wedding.

"Cindy has every right to want to share her delight about her dress," added Helen who was pleased that Fred had finally stepped in to crush Sheldon's irascibility. "You've done nothing but tease and harass your sister since we moved in. I'll not spend another summer with you constantly tormenting her. Is that clear?"

Sheldon shrank in his chair as every eye drilled into him. Knowing he'd only get in deeper trouble if he didn't agree, he timidly nodded his head.

Page 6

Page 7