Mary recalled the time Dave told her that one thing he had learned as a child was to never argue with Sally. She had a way of sounding like a strict school teacher who was ready to send someone to the corner of the room with a dunce cap on. He’d also added that Tom and Joel hadn’t been smart enough to stay out of her way, and because of it, they’d ended up getting in trouble when she told her parents about how they were misbehaving. “The best thing you can do is stay out of her way when she’s in a bad mood,” Dave had finished.
Laura must have been used to these lectures since she only stared at her mother as if she was patiently waiting for her to stop. Rachel, however, hurried over to Mary in alarm. Mary picked her up.
Jenny’s second child, seven-year-old Carl, seemed to take the lecture well, but her youngest, four-year-old Emma, looked as if she was ready to burst into tears.
“I just can’t believe it,” Sally continued. “When have I ever told any of you that riding the dog is acceptable?”
Mary decided she better speak up. “I think the children now realize it’s wrong to do that. They won’t do it again.” She glanced at the children. “Will you?”
All of the children shook their heads, and poor Emma wiped her eyes. Maybe Mary was softer than she should be, but she went over to Emma and rubbed her shoulders.
Sally sighed. “I’m sorry, Emma. I didn’t want to make you cry. I only want you to understand what you can and can’t do with a dog, especially one that’s not so young anymore. You could hurt his back.”
Jenny came out with Adam. When she noticed everyone, she frowned. “What happened? Did someone get hurt?”
“No,” Mary replied. “They’re fine.”
“They were trying to ride the dog,” Sally told her sister. “Did you tell them that was alright to do?”
Jenny shook her head. “They were playing fetch with him when I went inside with Adam.” After a moment, she asked, “What’s wrong with them riding the dog?”
Sally gave her an exasperated look, and this time, Mary couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s fine, Sally. Your dog is alright. Look at him.”
Sally glanced down, and the dog was putting his head under Carl’s hand so Carl would pet him. The dog was panting and wagging his tail.
“He’s happy,” Mary added. “He’s not in any pain.”
Sally hesitated for a moment then relented. “I suppose the children didn’t do any harm.”
Jenny rolled her eyes. “It’s just like you to jump to conclusions. You should take a moment to see what’s going on around you.” She turned her attention to the children. “Who wants some of Aunt Mary’s delicious cookies?”
All of the children, including Rachel who wiggled out of Mary’s arms, ran into the house with Jenny.
Sally shook her head, bewildered. “I didn’t jump to conclusions. Did I?”
“I agree they shouldn’t be treating your dog like a horse,” Mary said. “If they were to all get on him at the same time, they could hurt him, but I think you could have used a softer tone when talking to them.”
“Are you saying that I sounded mean?”
“No, but you did use the big sister voice Dave tells me about.”
“Big sister voice?”
“He said you could strike terror into anyone when you used it. Well, everyone but Tom and Joel.”
Sally put a hand on her hip. “Those two were impossible. They never did anything they were told to. They were too busy running around and playing pranks on each other. How else was I supposed to deal with them?”
“Dave said you did that to him, too.”
“I never once yelled at David. He was always a perfect gentleman.”
“He was that way because you terrified him.” Sally didn’t seem to believe her, so Mary opted to say, “It doesn’t matter. That was a long time ago. Let’s go in and have some cookies with the others.”
“Do Isaac, Rachel, and Adam like seeing me?” she asked before Mary could lead her into the house.
“Of course, they do. Isaac wanted to come but stayed home to help Dave. Rachel and Adam ran to the wagon because they couldn’t wait to see you.”
“You’re not just saying that to make me feel better, are you?”
“No. It’s true. Sally, you grew up having to help your mother with your brothers and sister. I don’t think you can get away from that. It’s a part of who you are. The children know you love them and that you mean well.”
“I hope so.”
Mary put an arm around Sally’s shoulders and urged her toward the house. “They do. We’re all different in our mothering styles, and there’s nothing wrong with that. If I had two troublemakers like Tom and Joel for little brothers, I’d be the same way you are.”
“You would?”
Mary nodded. “Those two would test anyone’s patience. Even I get frustrated with them from time to time when they keep fighting over a single piece of pie. If you ask me, they made you this way. I don’t know how you managed all those years living under the same roof with them. I’m glad I ended up with Dave.”
“If all brothers were like David, I would be more like you. He was easy to deal with.”
“I have a feeling that was partly because of you.” Mary squeezed her shoulders then let her go. “Dave’s the perfect husband. And Greg and Laura are two very well-behaved children. That’s because of you.”
“Thanks, Mary. That makes me feel better.”
Mary returned Sally’s smile and entered the house.
Chapter Five
