Spoiled by Eight Uncles

After being so summarily dissed by a chubby four-year-old, Pablo’s face was a study in weary resignation.

Meanwhile, Lilly ran happily to Josh’s room.

Josh and Drake Crawford were the type of children who perfectly embodied the old adage, “Children should be seen and not heard.” Anthony’s busy schedule left him little time to spend with them, and by the time they were six and seven years old, they had already become accustomed to it.

Personality-wise, both brothers were very calm, cool, and collected. Drake was in 2nd grade and fond of the arts. Josh was a year younger and enthusiastic about math and science.

At present, Josh was in his room working on a complicated mathematical equation. Suddenly, he heard an excited knocking on his door, so he looked up and called, “Come in.”

Lilly poked her head in and chirruped sweetly, “Oh Josh!”

Josh wrinkled his brow. Lils was here again, being her usual irritating self. Coldly, he asked, “What do you want to ask this time?” Last time she had asked him how big ten pounds of poop would be. The question was utterly embarrassing, and he had answered extremely unwillingly. He had utilized all the formulas he knew and filled an entire sheet of paper with calculations…and in the end, all she had remembered was, “A bucketful!”

A metal bucket, no less, and not even how many cups or fluid ounces!

Lilly cradled Bunny in her arms and stared at Josh, her face full of happy anticipation. “Josh, when you go to school tomorrow, can I come with you?”

Josh immediately shot back, “Of course not.” There was no way he was bringing her to school with him, ever. He detested someone tagging at his heels. Furthermore, he had to attend classes. He certainly didn’t have time to take her along with him!

Lilly batted her lashes and put on her most pitiful expression. “But Josh…”

Josh impatiently pushed her out of the room. “Go play somewhere and stop bothering me.” With that, he closed the door with a loud bang.

Lilly stared at the closed door and gave a big sigh. She was obviously not being cute enough!

while, then had a brainwave. She should wear a dress, of course! Running back to her room, she changed into

Knock knock!

“Josh…”

before Lilly could even say

However, when he saw Lilly being chased out of the room twice, he

Granny, Tulip, and tell her that Josh will definitely

stubbornly shake her head. “That won’t do! Children should take care of children’s business! We’re not three years old anymore. Telling tales to the grownups is

was left without a word to say. From the time she was three until her recent fourth birthday, this little girl had grown a significant amount of backbone. Now she even dared to say that she and Josh were no longer three years

not know whether to laugh or cry, and settled for asking, “Well, what are you

was not someone she could easily

get a glass of juice, then began making her way back upstairs very

was trying to do. “Let me carry that

“No, it’s okay! Please don’t interfere with children’s business,

aback that she just stared at Lilly’s

snapped, “What are you trying to do?” This was so frustrating! He was quite confident that he could solve this complex mathematical equation

taken aback; only then did she realize that she was disturbing Josh. She held out the glass of juice and said in a small voice, “Have some

impatiently batted the glass aside and growled, “I don’t want

and the

Josh froze.

mumbled, “I’m sorry, Josh.” She turned to leave, still holding the glass. She was at fault here; she shouldn’t have bothered Josh while he was studying. Perhaps…perhaps she could ask him

of sorts as he watched Lilly’s drooping, disappointed little figure. Was she sniffling? She really was such

around, looking

she was crying, so the sight of her bright, smiling face took him

out the remaining juice in the glass. Josh thanked her awkwardly, only to hear her say in her sweetest voice, “You’re