THE RELUCTANT BROTHER

by Janet

Disclaimer: The characters and situations of the TV program "Big Valley" are the creations of Four Star/Republic Pictures and have been used without permission. No copyright infringement is intended by the author. The ideas expressed in this story are copyrighted to the author.

Story Synopsis: Jarrod is having a hard time accepting the fact that the new baby might be another brother.

Prologue

Eleven-year-old Jarrod Barkley was having a rough year. His mother, Victoria, was pregnant with her third child. His father, Tom, was working non-stop on the Barkley Ranch along with having business dealings in five other states. And younger brother, Nick, eight, was getting into fights almost every day at school. If it wasn’t a fight, he was unruly in class. Jarrod was slowly getting very distant as he tried to deal with everything that was happening to him. He was beginning to wish that he wasn’t the oldest son and brother. Tom and Victoria were beginning to get concerned for their oldest son.

“Tom,” Victoria asked one fall evening while they were sitting in the living room after a long day, “have you noticed anything different about Jarrod?”

“No,” he answered looking up from reading the paper. “But I haven’t had much time to notice anything for the past several weeks. I’ve been so busy with ranch work and business dealings.”

“He’s acting very unusual for him,” she said and Tom thought he detected a note of worry in her voice. “He doesn’t seem to be himself.”

“What’s he been doing?” he asked becoming concerned.

“Well,” she answered, “for one thing he stays in his room most of the time. The only time I see him is when he leaves for school, comes home or goes to do his chores. He has hardly eaten enough to feed a bird let alone a growing boy.”

“He’s probably working on school work,” he said. “And as for the eating, that goes with the territory.”

“I don’t think so,” she replied. “I saw his teacher the other day, Mrs. Moore, and she told me that Jarrod is not applying himself. She said that he used to be one of her smartest students but now he is barely getting by.”

“What could have caused that?” he asked very concerned. “Jarrod has always excelled in school.”

“I asked her that,” she answered. “And she told me that he seems preoccupied with something. When she asked him about it, he became even more distant and quiet. She’s worried and frankly, so am I. I tried to talk to him about it the day I saw her but he refused to open his bedroom door. And he barely said three words to me. Something is definitely wrong.”

“I have been out of touch,” he said. “Maybe he’ll talk to me.”

“You can try,” she replied. “I don’t know if you’ll have much success.”

“I’ll do it right now,” he said standing up and slowly walking up the stairs. “Maybe it will be easier to talk to me than you. Although I don’t know at this point. Whatever is going on we need to get to the bottom of it.”

“I agree,” she replied as he left.

When Tom stopped in front of Jarrod’s bedroom door, he knocked. He listened for a reply but instead all he heard was quiet.

“Jarrod,” he said loudly, “it’s your father. I want to talk to you.”

Again, he listened for a response and heard nothing. Deciding to go on in, he opened the door. As he walked inside, he couldn’t believe his eyes. Jarrod was a very neat boy but now his room was littered with clothes, his bed was unmade and his schoolbooks were on the floor. Tom couldn’t believe what he was seeing. There was a distinct smell in the room and Tom wasn’t sure what it was. But he knew he had smelled it before.

“Jarrod,” he said again.

Looking around the room for his oldest son, he soon spotted him sitting in the floor on the other side of the bed. His head was down and he was staring at the floor. As he approached his son, Tom was hit with another shock. Jarrod’s usually neat appearance was gone. His clothes were wrinkled and dirty. His shirttail was out and his hair was uncombed. A he neared Jarrod, the smell got stronger.

“Jarrod,” he said as he sat down on the bed, “you look terrible. What’s going on son?”

Jarrod didn’t even look up. He just continued to stare at the floor. Tom kneeled down in front of him forcing him to look at him.

“Jarrod,” he asked, “are you all right?”

“Yeah,” was the response but Tom smelled the scent on his son and knew what it was.

“You certainly don’t look all right,” he said. “Are you taking anything?”
“What do you care?” Jarrod asked.

“I care a great deal,” he answered. “I want to help you. I smell something in this room that I haven’t smelled in a long time. If it’s what I think it is, you’re in big trouble.”

“You, the great Tom Barkley, wants to help me,” Jarrod said. “That’s a laugh.”

“I will not be spoken to in that manner young man,” he replied. “Now, I’m going to ask you again. What’s wrong?”

Jarrod didn’t respond this time. He knew that his son had taken something. But he didn’t believe it was strong enough to cause any problems down the road.

“Jarrod,” he asked, “who gave it to you?”

Jarrod looked up when he heard the question.

“You know what I’m talking about,” he said. “Now who gave it to you?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Jarrod replied.

“Yes you do,” he told his son. “I want to know who gave it to you.”

“I got it from one of the boys at school,” Jarrod said.

“I see,” he replied. “Let me warn you. You do that again and we’ll have a visit to the barn.”

“Yes sir,” Jarrod told him and then dropped his head back to stare at the floor.

Tom stood up, walking to the door. He looked back at Jarrod, then left. When he got to the top of the stairs, he called to his wife.

“Victoria!” he called. “Would you mind coming up here?”

“Tom,” she asked as she walked to the bottom of the stairs, “what is it?”

“I think you need to see this for yourself,” he answered.

He decided not to mention the odor he smelled in Jarrod’s room. Hopefully, the boy would never do it again. She walked up the stairs, following Tom to Jarrod’s room. When he opened the door, she got a very close look at her son’s room.

“What in the world?” she asked looking at the messy room. “Where is Jarrod?”

“Over here,” he answered pointing to the other side of the bed.

Victoria was shocked at the sight of Jarrod. Quickly, she rushed to Jarrod.

“Honey,” she said, “you look terrible.”

Jarrod looked up for a moment before dropping his eyes back to the floor. She raised his head up, noticing the bloodshot eyes.

“I think we need to have Dr. Merrar check you over,” she said.

“I don’t need no doctor,” he replied.

“I say you do,” she told him. “Now you stand up and let’s get you cleaned up for the trip into Stockton.”

“I ain’t going,” he said.

“Tom,” she replied, “there’s something wrong.”

“I know,” he told her. “Jarrod, let’s go.”

Tom physically pulled Jarrod to his feet. He didn’t resist. In fact, he didn’t respond at all. It took both of them to get him ready to go. He didn’t lend a hand to help. Once Jarrod was cleaned up with clean clothes on, they escorted him down the stairs where they met Nick coming in from the barn.

“What’s going on?” he asked.

“We’re going to town,” she answered. “We’re both worried about Jarrod.”

“I am too,” he said. “I’ve had to do his chores for a week.”

“What are you talking about?” Tom asked confused.

“Jarrod hasn’t done any chores in more than a week,” he answered. “I’ve been doing them for him. I thought it was strange that he wouldn’t do them.”

“Is that true?” Tom asked Jarrod.

“Yeah,” Jarrod answered.

“We want the doctor to examine Jarrod to see if there is something physically wrong with him,” she said.

“I’ll go too,” he replied putting his hat back on.

“Nick,” Tom asked, “why didn’t you tell us about this?”

“I didn’t think too much about it,” he answered. “I’ve had to do things like this before and I guess I just figured he was tired or sick.”

“Next time,” Tom said, “you be sure and tell us.”

“I will,” he replied.

The family headed for Stockton. As they rode, both Tom and Victoria kept looking at Jarrod. He sat with his head down. He didn’t say a word. And that scared them too.

“Jarrod,” Tom asked as they rode, “how long have you been like this?”

“Don’t know and don’t care,” he answered.

“Now look here young man,” Tom said. “I have had just about enough of that smart mouth of yours. I suggest you remember how to address your mother and me.”

Jarrod didn’t respond. Tom looked at Victoria and shook his head.

“Maybe the doctor can help,” she said.

Chapter One

It was past ten in the evening by the time the family arrived at the doctor’s. When Tom knocked on the door, a light appeared in the room.

“Tom,” Merrar said as he opened the door slightly, “it’s pretty late for you to be out.”

“Doc,” he replied, “we need you to check Jarrod. Something’s wrong with him.”

“Let’s have a look,” he told him as he opened the door realizing that Tom was very worried.

The family walked inside. The doctor could tell that Jarrod was extremely quiet, which was odd for him when he came to see the doctor. Usually he was pitching a fit about being dragged in but this time he never said a word. He just stared at the floor.

“Jarrod,” he said leading the boy to the examination room, “come on. Let’s see what’s going on.”

After Jarrod and the doctor left the waiting room, Tom, Victoria and Nick sat down. Nick could tell that both of his parents were very worried.

“What made you bring him here tonight?” he asked.

“The appearance of his room for one,” Tom answered. “As well as his physical appearance.”

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“Nick,” she answered, “Jarrod’s room was messy. There were clothes all over the floor. His bed was unmade and his school books were on the floor.”

“And then there was Jarrod himself,” Tom said. “His clothes were dirty and messy. His hair hadn’t been combed and his eyes were bloodshot.”

“Wow,” he replied. “It makes sense.”

“What are you talking about?” Tom asked.

“Well,” he answered, “the other day after school when we were walking home, Jarrod seemed upset about something. I asked him what but he wouldn’t tell me. Then when we got home, he disappeared into his room.”

“Maybe the doctor can help him,” she said. “Nick, has he eaten anything?”

“No,” Nick replied. “He just sits and stares at the ground during lunch.”

“I thought so,” she told them. “Tom, he looked thin. We need to try and get some food into him.”

“I know,” he said looking at her.

An hour later, Dr. Merrar came out alone. Tom and Victoria stood with worried looks on their faces.

“Jarrod,” he said, “is suffering from extreme worry.”

“What?” Tom asked.

“Jarrod is very worried about something,” he answered. “But he refuses to tell me what. He’s very edgy as well as exhausted. I’m going to give him something to help him sleep. From what I can tell, he hasn’t slept much in the last several nights. Nor has he eaten very much. He’s lost a little weight but that can be remedied with a good home cooked meal.”

“This is totally new to us,” Tom said. “Of course, I’ve been very busy with the ranch but I had no idea that Jarrod was in this condition.”

“You say he won’t give you the reason,” she replied.

“I asked him and he just sits there staring at the floor,” he told her.

“How are we going to find out?” Tom asked.

“First,” he answered, “I want him to get some rest. I also want to keep him here tonight. In the morning when he’s more rested, we’ll try again.”

“All right doc,” Tom said. “Can we see him?”

“I’ve given him something to help him rest,” he replied. “But he might be awake.”

He led them back to the bedroom. Jarrod was lying in bed. His eyes were closed. Tom and Victoria sat down on each side of the bed.

“Honey,” she said, “it’s going to be all right. We’ll get to the bottom of it tomorrow. You just rest.”

“I’ll be right here when you wake up,” Tom replied.

The rest of the family sat down in chairs and waited.

“I should have been paying more attention to my son,” he said blaming himself. “Maybe I could have prevented this.”

“I don’t think so,” she replied. “I didn’t see it coming until it was nearly too late and I saw him every day.”

“I intend to find out what is troubling Jarrod,” he told her.

“In the morning,” she said. “Let’s let him sleep now.”

Tom nodded.

Chapter Two

The next morning Jarrod slowly opened his eyes. He was confused as to where he was. He looked around trying to figure out where he was. Seeing their son’s dilemma Tom and Victoria sat down on the bed.

“You’re at Dr. Merrar’s,” she said calmly. “We were very worried about you.”

“I’m sorry,” he replied looking up at both of them.

“Son,” Tom asked, “what’s going on? The doctor said that you were very worried about something.”

“I guess I let it get to me more than I thought,” he answered. “I guess you’re pretty mad at me over this.”

“What?” she asked. “And no we’re not mad at you. We only want to know what’s caused you to act this way.”

“I was thinking about the baby,” he answered.

“That shouldn’t have you worried,” she said. “It won’t be here for another month. And everything is perfectly fine.”

“I...I...” he stammered. “I’m not talking about you being pregnant.”

“What is it son?” Tom asked.

“I’m afraid,” he blurted out.

“Afraid of what?” she asked.

“I don’t...I don’t,” he tried to answer.

“Jarrod,” Tom said, “tell us so we can help you.”

“I don’t want to be a big brother any longer,” he replied. “The more that happens the more I don’t want to be.”

“I don’t understand,” she told him.

“I just don’t want another younger brother,” he said.

“Why not?” Tom asked.

“You wouldn’t understand,” he answered.

“Try me,” Tom said.

“I remember what it was like with Nick,” he replied. “Every time I would try to help him he would shout at me or pick a fight. I don’t want to go through that anymore. I still love him but I'm a nervous wreck.”

“I never guessed that it would make you so upset,” she told him. “That’s nothing to get worked up over.”

“You don’t understand,” he said getting angry and edgy.

Dr. Merrar walked in.

“What’s going on?” he asked noticing Jarrod’s face.

“We’re trying to get to the bottom of this,” Tom answered.

“Making him worse is not the answer,” he said. “I want him to rest.”

“All right,” Tom replied giving in. “We’ll discuss this more when you’re home.”

“Yes sir,” Jarrod told him. “When can I go home?”

“Probably this afternoon,” the doctor said. “Right now, I want you to eat a good breakfast.”

“I’m not hungry,” Jarrod replied.

“You’ve got to keep up your strength,” he told the boy. “You’ve been missing meals haven’t you?”

“Yes sir,” Jarrod said.

After eating a good breakfast and lunch along with sleeping another two hours, the doctor allowed Jarrod to go home.

“I think the best thing for you to do is to tell your parents everything,” he said. “I’m sure once it is out in the open, you’ll feel a lot better.”

“I’ll try,” Jarrod replied.

“Thanks doc,” Tom told him as the family left.

Chapter Three

As they rode home, Jarrod was very quiet. He wouldn’t look at his parents or Nick.

“We’ll sit down and discuss this after we get home,” he said.

“I agree,” she replied.

When the family arrived home, they all sat down in the living room to discuss in a calm manner the problem that was bothering Jarrod.

“Now,” Tom said as he stood in front of Jarrod, “let’s see if we can discuss this calmly. Would you please explain what you meant by not wanting to be a big brother any more?”

“I’m tired of running behind Nick trying to make everything all right,” he replied. “I can’t handle another brother because his actions will probably be just as bad or worse than Nick’s. And it sometimes ends up with me in trouble.”

“You’re telling us that you want to stop being the big brother, is that right?” she asked.

“Yes mother,” he answered.

“Honey,” she said, “I’m sure that this baby will be calmer than Nick.”

“But you can’t guarantee it,” he replied.

“No,” she told him. “There is no way that you can stop being the oldest. That’s just the way it came.”

“I’m scared,” he said starting to cry. “I don’t know what to do anymore. The more I try to think and reason it out, the more upset I get.”

“Listen,” Tom replied sitting down in front of Jarrod on the table, “you are not alone in this. We’re both here for you. All you have to do is let us know what we can do to help.”

“It’s not that simple,” he told them. “I’m afraid to fail again.”

“What are you talking about?” Tom asked.

“I feel like I have failed Nick,” he answered. “I see him getting into trouble at school and other places. I don’t know how to help him get out of it. So in my mind I’ve failed to help.”

“And you work yourself up into a nervous wreck,” she said.

“Yes,” he replied. “Help me please.”

Jarrod’s emotions finally broke loose. He cried and begged them to help him cope with the situation. Both Tom and Victoria held him as they let him cry.

“Jarrod,” she said, “it’s going to be all right. You’re going to get through this. I want you to believe me. You’re still a boy yourself.”

“I do,” he replied wiping away the tears. “I know I should have come to you earlier but I was afraid.”

“There’s no reason to be afraid of your mother or me,” Tom told him. “That’s why we’re here. And I promise that no matter what this baby is, you’re going to be the best teacher it ever has.”

“You really think so,” he said.

“Yes I do,” Tom replied. “You are a very smart boy Jarrod. You remember that. You have the gift of reason so you can look at a problem from all sides before deciding. You put those together and you have a very remarkable young man named Jarrod Thomas Barkley.”

“Thanks for understanding,” he told them. “I’m kind of looking forward to the baby’s birth now. Do you think I will be a help to it?”

“We do indeed,” she said smiling. “Why don’t you go upstairs, straighten up your room and then relax until supper. Then we’ll have a nice, quiet evening.”

“All right,” he replied heading upstairs.

“I never realized how much this baby would upset him,” she told Tom. “I don’t know what to do if it turns out to be a boy.”

“We’ll handle that when the time comes,” he said. “Right now let’s just take one day at a time.”

“You’re right,” she replied.

“Mother,” Nick told them, “father, I feel like most of this is my fault. I never thought about hurting Jarrod.”

“You’re a fighter,” he said. “You leap before you think. But Jarrod thinks before he leaps and that’s what has him upset.”

“I still feel like I caused it,” Nick replied.

“No sweetheart,” she told him. “But it will work out.”

Chapter Four

Over the next few days, Jarrod seemed to return to normal. He began to smile more and he was opening up about his problem with the baby. Tom and Victoria were relieved to see their son happy again.

“Jarrod,” Tom said as he walked into the house one afternoon, “I’m going to Stockton. Do you want to ride with me?”

“Yes father,” he replied hurrying down the stairs. “I would enjoy going with you very much.”

“Good,” Tom told him as the two of them walked out of the house. “I haven’t had a lot of time lately to spend with you and I’m sorry for that.”

“It’s not your fault,” he said looking at his father. “I know the ranch keeps you very busy.”

“It does,” Tom replied. “But I still have time to spend with my boys.”

“I’m glad,” Jarrod told him. “I’m sorry about what happened last week. I shouldn’t have held it inside like that.”

“You do that because I do that,” Tom said.

“You father,” he replied stunned. “I thought I was the only one.”

“No,” Tom told him as they climbed into the buggy. “I’ve been guilty of keeping things inside most of my life and believe me it has gotten me into trouble.”

“It has?” he asked.

“Yes,” Tom answered as they rode toward town. “I remember one time when I was about your age. Jim had told me that father was going to clear a section of land near a creek for a corn crop. Then a day or two later, mother told me that she wanted to plant some flowers near the creek.”

“You didn’t know whether to tell her about grandfather or whether to tell grandfather about her,” he said.

“Yes,” Tom replied. “I mulled over it until I was almost sick. Finally, when I did get it out, I felt so much better.”

“Who ended up with the creek side?” he asked.

“Father,” Tom answered. “Mother realized that a corn crop would be a better investment.”

“That’s the same thing I do,” he said.

“Yes,” Tom replied. “And I’m afraid you inherited it from me.”

“Thanks for telling me,” he told him smiling. “Maybe we can get through this together.”

“I’m sure we can,” Tom said also smiling.

When they arrived in Stockton, Tom went to the bank. Jarrod followed him and stood quietly while Tom discussed a matter with Mr. Morgan, the bank president.

“Dave,” he said as he shook Morgan’s hand, “I need to make a sizable withdrawal.”

“How much?” Morgan asked.

“$500 dollars,” he answered.

“I’ll have to get it from the safe,” Morgan said going to the safe. “You do want cash?”

“Yes,” he replied.

“Why so much money father?” Jarrod asked.

“I need to pick up some breeding stock,” he answered. “And the man only deals in cash.”

“I see,” Jarrod said. “Why won’t he take a check?”

“I guess he’s been taken more than once,” he answered.

“Here you go,” Morgan replied as he handed Tom the money.

“Thanks Dan,” he told him putting the money in his wallet.

Then as they left the bank, Tom turned to his son.

“How would you like to eat dinner in town?” he asked. “Just the two of us.”

“Yes sir,” Jarrod answered. “I would like that.”

“Let’s go to Joe Myers’ store first,” he said as they walked. “I want to ask him to order something for me.”

“All right,” Jarrod replied.

Tom and Jarrod walked into the general store.

“Tom,” Joe asked as he greeted Tom, “what can I do for you?”

“I need to order a new saddle,” Tom answered.

Jarrod looked up at his father. He knew they had plenty of saddles in the tack room but he didn't say anything. Tom, sensing that Jarrod was confused, cleared up the mystery.

“This saddle is for you son,” he said smiling. “I think it’s about time you had a new one. It’s a very special saddle with silver conchos on it.”

“For me,” Jarrod replied. “Father, I don’t know what to say.”

“Thank you would be nice,” Tom told him.

“Thank you,” Jarrod said hugging his father. “You’re the greatest.”

“Maybe this will make up for being away so much when you really needed me,” he replied.

“You don’t need to buy me something to prove to me that you still love me,” Jarrod told him. “I know you do.”

“I’m not buying it because I want to prove to you that I love you,” he said. “I’m buying it because I want to give something to a fine boy.”

“I understand,” Jarrod replied smiling.

Tom and Jarrod ate supper at the Cattlemen’s Hotel. They laughed and talked. Tom could tell that Jarrod was really enjoying himself and he was very happy.

“Father,” he said after they had finished eating, “I have really enjoyed this trip with you. I guess I hadn’t realized just how much I missed you until the other day.”

“I’m glad you’ve had a good time,” Tom replied with a broad smile on his face. “I just wanted to spend an evening with my son.”

Chapter Five

As the arrival date for the baby quickly approached, it was due in October, Tom and Victoria noticed that Jarrod was getting distant.

“Jarrod,” she said as she sat down on his bed, “is the birth of the baby making you sad again?”

“I don’t know anymore mother,” he replied. “I try to tell myself that this baby won’t be a problem.”

“But you can’t seem to convince yourself,” she told him.

“Yes,” he said. “Am I crazy?”

“No,” she replied. “I can understand your predicament. You need to forget about the baby until it arrives. Who knows it might even be a girl.”

“I hadn’t thought of that,” he told her. “You and father have been so understanding during this time. I thought you would be mad because I was acting like a baby.”

“No,” she said smiling. “You are growing up Jarrod and when you grow up you have to look at things differently. I want you to be able to come to us any time you have a problem.”

“I will,” he replied also smiling. “Did father tell you about the new saddle?”

“No,” she told him.

“He ordered it last week,” he said. “It has silver conchos on it. It’s for me.”

“For you,” she replied. “I’m glad. Tom had talked about getting you a new saddle but he hadn’t gotten around to ordering it. He stays so busy with the ranch.”

“I know,” he told her. “I wish I could help him.”

“You’re still too young to help a whole lot yet,” she said. “And he knows that. You keep up your chores and that will help him.”

“I’ll do that mother,” he replied. “Only how do I make it up to Nick?”

“Your brother has already talked to us,” she told him. “He understands what you’re going through. He said that if he had a brother like himself, he would also be a bit on the crazy side.”

Jarrod had to laugh at the comment.

“Mother,” he asked, “do you think Nick would like to go fishing with me?”

“I’m sure he would love to,” she answered. “Why don’t you go ask him? He’s in the barn.”

“I will,” he said standing up. “Thanks mother.”

“You’re welcome,” she replied.

Jarrod found Nick in the barn.

“Nick,” he asked as he walked in, “do you want to go fishing with me?”

“Sure,” Nick answered. “I thought maybe you were busy so I haven’t bothered you.”

“You can bother me any time you want to,” he said smiling. “I’m sorry for all the things I said about you.”

“It’s all right,” Nick replied. “I know you’re worried about having another brother. But you know what?”

“What?” he asked.

“I’ll be an older brother too,” Nick answered.

“I hadn’t thought about that,” he said. “You will.”

“Can you help me be a good big brother to this baby?” Nick asked.

“Sure,” he answered. “If I can survive your escapades, you can survive this baby’s.”

“Thanks,” Nick said smiling.

Jarrod smiled too. The two boys grabbed their poles and headed off for the fishing hole.

“This looks like a good spot,” Nick said. “I wish I had stopped to dig some worms.”

“We can find some around here,” Jarrod replied.

They began to dig in the dirt. Nick was able to find a good-sized worm. Jarrod wasn’t having any luck at all.

“Here,” Nick said, “let me help you. You have to know where to look.”

“How do you know so much?” he asked.

“Father showed me,” Nick answered.

“I wish father would show me,” he said getting a little sad. “I guess he just doesn’t have the time.”

“Have you asked him?” Nick asked.

“No,” he answered.

“Well,” Nick said, “if you ask him maybe he’d be more eager to show you. He probably thinks you’re too busy for him.”
“You really think so,” he replied.

“It won’t hurt to ask,” Nick told him.

“I will,” he said smiling. “Nick, you’re not such a bad boy after all.”

“I’m glad,” Nick replied. “But I don’t know about being that good. I still leap into things fists blazing.”

“Yeah,” he told Nick, “but sometimes you have to leap or get into trouble.”

“I tell you what,” Nick said. “You help me control my temper and I’ll help you get mad when you’re supposed to.”

“Deal,” he replied.

“Deal,” Nick told him.

Chapter Six

The day the new baby arrived was a day Jarrod would never forget. It was the 10^th of October and it was starting to get colder in the valley. He woke up early with a feeling of fear and excitement. He went to his parents’ room and knocked on the door.

“Father,” he said, “mother.”

“Come in,” Tom replied as he opened the door.

“Is anything wrong?” he asked.

“As a matter of fact,” Tom answered, “the baby is going to make its appearance very soon. I was just heading for town to get the doctor.”

“Can I do anything to help?” he asked.

“Yes you can,” Tom answered. “You can stay with your mother until I get back. Will you be all right?”

“Yes sir,” he said. “I’ll help mother.”

“Good,” Tom replied heading out the door.

Jarrod slowly walked over to the bed where his mother lay. He looked at her and thought about the new life that was soon going to arrive.

“Honey,” she said, “I’m glad you’re here. I want you to be happy about this baby.”

“I am,” he replied. “Is it going to come out of you?”

“Yes,” she told him. “You see how big my stomach is.”

“Yes,” he said looking.

“That’s the baby,” she replied. “And when the doctor comes, he’s going to help the baby come out.”

“Will it be small like Nick was?” he asked.

“Yes,” she answered. “Babies don’t come full size.”

“Oh,” he said. “Will it hurt?”

“Some,” she replied. “But I’m a strong woman and can do it without taking anything.”

“Mother,” he told her, “I hope I can be a good big brother.”

“You will,” she said smiling. “You’ll help it just like you did Nick. Do you want to feel it?”

“How?” he asked.

“Here,” she answered placing his hand on her stomach. “Did you feel that?”

“Yes,” he said. “What was it?”

“That was the baby kicking,” she replied. “By the feel of those kicks, I would say it was going to be a boy.”

“How do you know?” he asked.

“Boys tend to kick harder,” she answered. “But sometimes girls do too. So we have to wait for the doctor to tell us.”

“I see,” he said.

He smiled. The doctor followed by Tom walked in a short time later. Jarrod started to leave when his mother’s voice stopped him.

“Jarrod,” she said, “stay. I want you to see how it arrives.”

“Are you sure mother?” he asked. “I don’t want to be in the way.”

“Yes,” she answered. “He won’t be in your way doctor.”

“That will be fine,” the doctor said. “Jarrod, come here and you can see the birth.”

Jarrod stood at the doctor’s side. He watched intently as the baby’s head started to come out of his mother. He was startled by her cries as she pushed hard to help the baby to come out. Then the rest of it came out. He thought the doctor was hurting it when he popped it on its bottom but the doctor explained that he was just waking it up.

“Why are you hurting it?” he asked.

“I’m not Jarrod,” the doctor answered. “I’m helping it breath.”

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“Your mother has been helping it as long as it was inside her,” the doctor answered. “I have to make it breathe on its own. Which it is doing.”

“I understand,” he said.

When the baby cried, it was so low, Jarrod had to strain to hear it.

“Wow,” he said, “it’s so quiet. What is it?”

“A boy,” the doctor replied. “A fine, healthy boy.”

“A boy,” he told him. “It can’t be. “It’s too quiet.”

“Not every boy is as loud as Nick,” Tom said smiling at his new son.

“What’s his name?” he asked.

Tom looked at Victoria who smiled when the doctor handed her the new life.

“Eugene Franklin Barkley,” she answered. “We’ll call him Eugene.”

“Gene,” he said as he walked over to the bed to see his new brother. “I’m Jarrod, you’re big brother. You have another big brother, Nick. I’ll help you every way I can Gene.”

“We know you will,” she replied. “Do you want to hold him?”

“Really,” he told her. “Oh yes.”

“Sit down in the chair and Tom will hand him to you,” she said.

Jarrod sat down in the chair and Tom laid the baby in his lap.

“Put your hand under his head to support it,” she said as Jarrod obeyed. “Now you’re holding Eugene.”

“He’s so small,” he replied looking with pride at his new brother.

“He’ll grow,” she told him. “Tom, isn’t that the sweetest thing you’ve seen?”

“Yes it is,” Tom said also smiling.

“Victoria,” the doctor replied, “I want you to take it easy for a few days. Everything went fine but I want still want you to rest as much as possible.”

“I will doctor,” she told him watching Jarrod with his new brother. “Isn’t that a beautiful site?”

“Yes,” the doctor said smiling. “After the way he was a month ago, he has really turned his life around.”

“He had a little help,” she replied.

“I know,” the doctor told her. “From his wonderful family.”

Nick walked in. He looked at Jarrod.

“Nick,” he said, “come look at Gene.”

“Gene?” Nick asked.

“This is Eugene Franklin Barkley,” Tom answered. “Your new brother.”

“Wow,” Nick said, “he’s so small.”

“They don’t come full size,” he replied.

“He’s cute,” Nick told them.”

“I don’t believe it,” he said. “You actually called something cute. You, Nick Barkley.”

“Well,” Nick replied, “he is.”

“We’re going to need both of you to help us with Eugene,” Tom told them. “He’s going to ask a lot of questions as he grows and learns.”

“I’ll be right there to answer them,” he said smiling.

“And so will I,” Nick replied.

And so Jarrod was a different boy after the birth of Eugene Barkley. He helped Gene learn as he grew but when Jarrod was grown, Gene began to resent Jarrod’s involvement in his life. He felt that Jarrod was running his life. But Jarrod didn’t stop looking after his young brother even though his help was not always appreciated.

THE END