Point of View Series
by Kristen

Part 20 -- Only Jen

Okay, let me preface this by saying that I love my sister, I really do; but she is, now how can I put this? Unique, I guess would be the word I’m looking for. I mean seriously, you’ve heard enough stories by now to know what I’m talking about and if the Halloween from hell didn’t convince you, then nothing will.

Anyway, you’re probably wondering to yourself “what did she do now?” Well it wasn’t as bad as Halloween, but let’s just say that eight birthdays in one family is about seven too many. At least four of them get condensed into two days. Thank the Lord for small favors, right?

It was a cold and snowy day and the queen bee herself was the guest of honor. I’ve always thought it was appropriate that Ellie was the one born on April 1st, cause, well, do I really need to say why? Suffice it to say, it’s the one holiday this family doesn’t really make note of because when you think about it, life with Ellie is one big April Fool’s day.

So there we were, the whole family, crammed around the table. There were the requisite streamers, party hats (yes, the dog had one too), and horn blowers and Ellie was in the midst of trying to explain to Annie and Chloe the intricacies of said blowers.

“No Annie, like this, see?” She stuck the horn in her mouth and blew out. As had happened on her previous efforts, Annie grabbed the end of the flimsy paper toy, pulled it from Ellie’s mouth and began to bang it on her high chair. Ellie sighed dramatically, retrieved it from her little sister, and tried again. “Now pay ‘tention Annie. See? You blow on it, and it gets longer. Mommy, can you show her?”

Mom smiled and kissed the top of Ellie’s head. “Honey, you’re doing just fine. You just have to be patient with her, ok?”

“But mommy, I’m not as good at it as you are.”

“Sure you are sweetie.”

“Uh uh.” She shook her head back and forth, curls flying every which way. “Daddy says you are the best. I heard him.” Dad’s head shot up, then he went back to work, intently feeding Cate her strained peas. Yeah dad, avoidance is always a good idea in these instances. Her forehead wrinkled as a thought struck her. Oh God, here it comes. “Mommy, why do you have horn blowers in your room? I don’t think it’s fair that you and daddy get to have parties without us.”

Dead silence filled the room, but they were saved from more questions by a knock at the door. I didn’t know who it was or what they wanted, but at that moment, they were my new best friend.

Mom quickly rose and crossed the room, throwing open the door, only to met by a most unexpected sight. “May I help you,” she asked in a polite and somewhat confused voice .

I had toddled over behind mom and could understand the source of her puzzlement. There stood a bespectacled lady standing in front of what appeared to be pile of lumber.
“I have a delivery for the Corinthos home.”

Mom wrinkled her nose and turned to dad.

“Sonny? Did you order some lumber?”

“Nope.”

Mom turned back to the woman who was staring at me quite intently. I could do intent with the best of’em and was matching her, stare for stare. I think I finally unnerved her cause she blinked and looked back at mom.

“I’m sorry, there must be some mistake. No one here ordered any wood.”

At the word “wood” Ellie jumped up excitedly and ran over to the door.

“It’s here! It’s here! MJ, it’s here!”

Mom turned around fixed us both with a glare. I can barely vocalize two word sentences, yet because I am the unwilling accomplice, I always get “the look” too. I was finding out at a very early age what it means to be “guilty by association.”

“Ellie? Did you order this wood?”

“Yep.”

“And why exactly?”

“Well see, last night I heard you tell daddy that if he had knocked you again he was gonna be in the doghouse, and he said that wasn’t gonna happen again, but then I heard him knock on something and he even said “knock wood.” And I knew we didn’t have a doghouse, so I ‘cided we better build one. And that’s when me and MJ called and ordered some wood. Do you think we got enough? I hope so. I wasn’t sure how much to get cause daddy is lots bigger than Dammit, so I just told them to bring enough for a really big dog.” She finally stopped long enough to draw breath, then turned her attention to the wood lady. I had to hand it to her, she was one cool customer because she never flinched. “What’s your name?”

“Jen.”

Not a big talker eh? My kinda girl.

Ellie grabbed her by the hand and dragged her into the room.

“This is my daddy Jen. The dog house is for him. You think that’s enough wood?”

This Jen chick quickly took in the situation and turned to mom.

“I’ll just take this back to the warehouse and leave you nice folks to your party. Sorry to interrupt.”

“But..” Ellie began.

Jen bent down and looked at Ellie intently.

“Ellie, how old are you?”

“I’m turning five today,” she said proudly.

“Five? That is a very important age and it means that you are growing up, so I am going to give you some grown-up advice ok?”

Ellie loves nothing more than being treated like an “adult” so she was paying rapt attention to every word Jen was saying.

“Sometimes grown ups have conversations that are private. You know what private means, right?”

“Yep,” she shook her head solemnly. “Private means that only the ones having the conv’sation are sposed to know ‘bout it.”

“That’s right,” Jen nodded intently. “And if you hear a private conversation, are you supposed to tell other people about it?”

“No.”

“So how bout next time you hear a conversation that mommy and daddy are having in private, you just don’t tell anyone about it, ok? If you don’t, that will mean you’re a grown-up too, ok?”

Ellie’s eyes grew wide. “So you mean that if I hear something I’m not sposed to and I don’t tell, I’m a big girl?”

Jen nodded sagely. “That’s exactly what it means.”

“Okay Jen, I won’t tell. I swear.” She crossed her heart with her finger solemnly and then dimpled. Ellie dimpled and Jen still didn’t crack? Right then and there, I fell in love. Can you blame me? But alas, it was not to be. After leaving mom and dad stunned and open mouthed that a stranger had achieved what they had tried in vain to do, she was gone. She was gone and we were left alone once again. Alone. With Ellie.

“So mommy, how come you and daddy are having parties without us? Huh?”

I want Jen back. Now.

The End