
“Hey, what’s wrong? You still look pretty bummed. Don’t you remember what we just talked about?”

“I know, but… I dunno why, I just still feel bad and it won’t stop. I’m really trying, I promise!”

“Hey, what’s wrong? You still look pretty bummed. Don’t you remember what we just talked about?”

“I know, but… I dunno why, I just still feel bad and it won’t stop. I’m really trying, I promise!”

“Kids! Come into the kitchen! I got a surprise for you!”
…

“Surprise! It’s cake!”
“What’s this for, Dad?”

“Well, since your mother’s out for dinner with some of her friends from work, I figured it’d be a nice idea to get a cake to celebrate Rebecca getting into the Smuggsworth Program! It’s quite the accomplishment, you know.”

“So you’re really going?”
“Yeah, I talked with Dad and we agreed it’d be good to challenge myself.”
“Congratulations! I’m so proud of you!”
“Mmhm, I think we all are, Louis.”

“Yeah, uh, congrats, I guess…”

“Louis… can I tell you something?”
“Of course you can.”
“I don’t really want Rebecca to go to that stupid program. Something about it makes me feel kinda bad.”
“Like you’re gonna miss her? You still see her everyday.”
“Yeah, but… I feel kinda like… Why can’t I go with her? I feel kinda not good enough I guess.”
“Hey, buddy, don’t say that. I think you’re good enough.”
“Yeah but you’re not a fancy program that decides who the smart kids are. You’re my brother.”
“That program… is a butt. Don’t let that get you down.”

“Heehee, you said butt!”
“I guess I did, huh?”
“You’re the best big brother ever!”

Water fun!
I BELIIIEEEEVE I CAN FLYYYYYY
I BELIEVE I CAN TOUCH THE SKYYYY

“If it’s alright with everyone here, I have some exciting news to share with you.”

“What is it dad?”
“Are you and mom having a baby!?”
“No, no. I was approached by the head of the Smuggsworth Program at your school earlier today.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means Rebecca’s test scores were high enough that they’d like her to be in a special gifted class this school year.”

“Really? And I’m the only one who got in?”
“It appears to be so.”

“Woah! Dad, are you serious!? I’ve been dying to get into that program since the third grade!”
“Yes, I am serious. I was in that program, too, as a child, back when we could afford it.”
“Why didn’t I inherit the torch to the Smuggsworth program?”
“Hey, I don’t make the decisions for those things.”

“Mom, if Louis and I didn’t get in Rebecca’s smart class, does that make us stupid?”
“W-What? That’s not an appropriate question to ask.”
“But are we?”
“O-Of… Of course not!”

“Mom! You’re home! Hug me!”
“Sorry, what was that?”
“Hug me, please!”
“That’s better.”
Rebecca has always been skilled in just about everything she does. This summer, she’s picked up the violin on a whim. Her brothers are always very impressed!
Unlike the kids, Lillith and Dirk don’t have a summer vacation and still have to get up for work.
They both just want 5 more minutes.

Wow, Michael. You don’t mess around, do you? :I
I’d hate to get you mad >.>