If you got exactly what you wanted — would it look like anything on your list?
A short story by Ré Harris
Carly tied her brother’s laces so fast that the dirt-streaked white bows slanted atop his shoes like bizarre pinwheels. She liked the effect for a picture, a piece of art, but not for taking her little brother downtown. Even though she wanted to look like they both belonged much more than they did, time was short and she couldn’t stop to scrub them anyway. She left the laces as they were and moved on. After making sure both mittens were still attached to his coat, she tightened his hood and scooped him up to hurry down the apartment building’s stairs.
At the department store after their long bus ride, Lucas lifted his chin to Carly so she could see it better. He didn't know what was stuck on it, but it was all right with him if his big sister licked her thumb and rubbed it away. He had seen something like that on TV with a boy who was upset and made faces, but he would never do that. He didn't find anything wrong with a little spit, if grown-ups were going to feel better about it. Carly was happy to clean him up for Santa, so he was happy to lift his chin.
She squatted down after she finished, and smiled. "Ready to talk to Santa Claus?"
His own smile faded. "We could do something else, if you want."
