My children are around each other constantly, but that doesn't mean that they actually play together. I'm not sure if it's because they are not very close in age (they're almost four years apart)? Or if it's because he's a boy and she's a girl? Or if it's because their brains are so inherently different that they can barely understand what the other one is saying.
I try to tell Arden that Perry worships the ground she walks on, and that if she could use her power for good instead of evil, she would have a most devoted follower. Unfortunately, she is of the opinion that showing her brother even a little mercy is just too taxing (most of the time).
There are some moments, and I'm still not sure what triggers them (a healthy breakfast? a good night's sleep?), when she softens and gives Perry just a little taste of what he craves each day: Her undivided attention.
On this particular occasion, Perry had just given Arden's rat a piece of cereal. Normally this is not a problem, but Arden was in the process of teaching Peanut to come out of her cage to get treats. When we ever so gently reminded Perry that we shouldn't feed the rat through the cage anymore, he threw the rest of the cereal on the floor and ran to his room, embarrassed and crying.
Arden turned to me with a sad little look then followed him into his room. She asked him if he wanted to sit on the hammock with her and tell jokes. I don't know how she came up with that but it was exactly what he needed. He emphatically agreed, of course, and they skipped out together onto the hammock. I sat at my computer and pretended not to notice what was going on.
The two of them sat there smiling and telling jokes until a yellow jacket came and scared Arden out of her mind. They both flopped around and giggled and as quickly as it had started, the moment was over. I don't remember what happened next but I'm pretty sure they came back inside and started bickering, forgetting about the moment completely. I didn't, though, and now I'll have the pictures to remind me that every once in a rare while, my kids can play.
