RELUCTANT PRESS

Sheldon simply stood with a smirk on his face as he watched.

Fortunately, Cindy was knocked unconscious when her jaw hit the counter. The blow broke her jaw and split her lip. As she fell to the floor, the shattering china cascaded about her, causing nearly a dozen serious gashes and numerous tiny cuts. Helen was not even concerned about how the accident occurred as she tended to Cindy's injuries.

Barry bolted into the kitchen to see his mother bent over Cindy. It was evident that his little sister needed medical attention. "I'll get the car and get her to the hospital," he gasped as he shot a menacing glare at Sheldon before rushing out the door almost bowling an enraged Fred over.

"I was on the ladder on the porch and saw what you did," Fred hissed at Sheldon while glaring at the now frightened boy through slitted eyes as he knelt beside Cindy. "You better pray she's not seriously hurt!"

Helen glanced up at Sheldon's suddenly pale face, not wanting to believe that he could have been involved in hurting her precious Cindy. But she could tell by his reaction to his father's threat that he had caused the accident.

"You little bastard," she growled. "You're MINE now! I have the RIGHT to discipline you as I see fit!" Helen returned to tending to Cindy's wounds.

Fred gathered several towels and had Sheldon get a cooler full of ice. Helen stanched the flow of blood by the time they had gathered the supplies. Quickly, they packed the serious bruises with ice wrapped in the towels. Fred carried Cindy to the waiting car. Helen rushed ahead to open the door and get in while Sheldon followed lugging the ice filled cooler.

Sheldon felt like hell. He hadn't really meant to hurt Cindy. Why had he done such a stupid thing? The confused, angry, and remorseful lad had no idea.

Cindy regained consciousness during the trip to the hospital. Barry sat in the second seat of the minivan clutching his sister protectively while Helen leaned back between the

TWO LITTLE GIRLS

By JENNIFER SUE

front seats to comfort her. Fred drove with frantic abandon. Sheldon cowered in the rear seat, sullen and remorseful.

It was past midnight when Barry and Sheldon finally headed home. Fred and Helen were going to spend the night with Cindy in the hospital. All during the ordeal, Helen had to beg Barry not to retaliate against Sheldon. It was only the young man's knowledge that two wrongs don't make a right that kept him from pulverizing the cowering boy.

It was clear to the humiliated and terrified Sheldon that Barry would like nothing better than to beat him to a pulp. In a way, he guiltily hoped he would. Not one word was spoken between the step-brothers.

Sheldon had a terrible time going to sleep. All he did was toss and turn. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw the image of Cindy lying on the floor. Cindy really wasn't bad as girls go. The remorseful lad even admitted that what his father had said during supper was true. Near dawn, he awakened.

Barry ate a light breakfast and headed out to the barn. The only thing he said to Sheldon was to stay near the phone and get him when their parents called. Sheldon sat by the phone, nervously waiting and hoping that Cindy would be all right.

It was shortly after noon when Sheldon received the call from the hospital. Like a puppy with its tail between its legs, he ran out to the barn where Barry occupied himself repairing some of the equipment.

"Mom called," Sheldon fearfully told the scowling young man. "We're supposed to pick them up, Cindy's going to be all right."

"Lucky for you," was all that Barry muttered as he dropped what he was doing to rush to the car.

Sheldon had to run to keep up with Barry's long strides. He didn't want to be left behind to allow the family to plot against him. Meekly, he stayed with the car while Barry entered the hospital to bring Cindy out.

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