FINDING PEACE AND QUIET by BOOMERCAT RATED FRPT

A story from the Tracys’ childhoods. Jeff contemplates his oldest boy.

Jeff Tracy looked up from his computer for the fifth time in as many minutes. He called out crossly, "What now?"

All activity in the room paused. None of his sons, not even three-year-old Alan would cross their father when he used that tone of voice. Jeff tried to rein in his temper. It was his own fault, after all. His mother had tried to tell him, but he had brushed her concerns away. He had practically kicked her out of the house when her friend had invited her for an evening of dinner and a movie. With his mother gone, he had been left alone to cope with five young boys and a work deadline.

How wrong he had been. The living room, which had been immaculate less than an hour ago now, looked as if a tornado had swept through. The boys looked little better. Virgil was on the couch, desperately trying to ignore his younger brothers as he read his book. Johnny had that mulish look about him. Gordy was on the verge of tears. Alan was happily throwing his Spaghettio's all over the floor. Scott was nowhere to be seen.

Jeff opened his mouth to deal with the situation when twelve-year-old Scott breezed in, "I'll handle it, Dad."

Jeff sat back to watch his son in action. Scotty was his firstborn, and Jeff had never quite gotten over his amazement at what a wonderful kid he was. He smiled as the tall boy crouched down to be on eye level with his young brother.

"What's the matter, Gordy?"

Gordon threw his little arms around his brother's neck and with a tragic sob said, "Onna fest moee." At least that was what it sounded like to Jeff.

Scott apparently understood perfectly. "Okay, Gordy, you can watch the fish movie. Johnny will put it in for you."

Jeff groaned inwardly. He had given Gordon a DVD called "Finding Nemo" for his fourth birthday three months ago and his son had become obsessed with it, watching it over and over.

"No, Scotty! I wanna watch something else! I hate that stupid baby movie!" Johnny's little face was screwed up in fury. Jeff could readily agree with the sentiment.

Scott seemed to ignore him, instead turning to Virgil. "Virg, a little help here. Grab the rugrat and clean him up would you? Johnny's busy putting in Gordy's movie, and I've got my hands full here."

Virgil heaved a sigh and carefully replaced his bookmark. Jeff could see some sort of non-verbal communication going on between his two oldest boys. Jeff's mom had commented more than once on the seemingly psychic connection between them. Jeff preferred to think it was a matter of body language and sharp minds. Whatever it was, Virgil seemed to get the message.

Coming over to where Alan sat at the play-table, Virgil giggled and said, "Whatcha doin' there, Allie? Is that a picture you're making?" Grinning toothily, Alan put his messy hands on the messy table and wiped them around like he was finger-painting.

Scott in the meantime was tickling Gordon, his back turned to Johnny who was red-faced with fury at being ignored.

"Scotty!" the six-year-old whined, "I don't wanna watch the fish movie!"

Scott paused in his play. "That's okay Johnny, you don't have to watch it. I'll tell you what, you put it in, and you and me will go out and catch some fireflies."

Jeff knew that Scott knew it was still too early for those elusive little specks of light, but Johnny's stormy face cleared right up. "Just me? Just me, Scotty?"

That hopeful plea cut at Jeff's heart. One of the problems with so many siblings was a lack of quality time. No sooner did you sit down with one of them than one of the others distracted you. Scott looked at the little towhead fondly and decreed, "That's right, Johnny. Just you and me. We'll let Virg take care of the babies, and you and I will go catch us some fireflies. Okay?"

"Okay."

"Okay, go put the movie in."

Scott found his face being pulled around. Little Gordon had his hands on each side of his brother's face. With big-eyed sincerity, Gordon said, "Onna ga oo, Gotti."

Johnny wailed, "No, Gordy! Just me! Scotty said just me!"

Jeff held his breath. If Gordon threw a tantrum, Alan would follow immediately, and there'd be no peace in the Tracy household that evening. Scott defused to incipient storm before it got a chance to get going. "Gordy, if you come outside, you can't watch the fish movie."

Jeff could see the wheels spinning in Gordon's little red head. Finally he said decisively, "Onna fest moee."

"Okay, then. Johnny, let 'er rip. Virg, watch the runts, will you? Johnny and I have a date with a bug jar."

"Sure, Scott." Virgil was sitting next to Alan, just as engrossed in 'finger-painting' as his young brother. The beginning scenes of his fish movie caught Gordon's eye and he plopped himself down in front of the TV. Scott swung the now giggling John up in his arms and throwing him like a sack of potatoes over his shoulder, headed out the back door.

Jeff sat back with a smile. It was going to be a good night!