Eager Beaver

Chapter Fifty-Seven - Christmas Emergency

I made my way over to the patio. Dad was looking at Zach with an awkward uncertain expression, seemingly torn between trying to go and comfort him again and letting him have some space.

"Zach?" I blurted out. "Is everything okay?" Zach moved his hand and looked at me, his eyes were red and he was clearly crying. Why did I ask such a stupid question?

"No." He blubbered a little and took in another deep breath. I winced. Something serious must have happened.

"Cooper." Dad said in a kind but firm tone. "Zach and I are going out for a little bit. We are going to pick up some things from their house."

"What things?" I asked, still confused.

"Zachary and Laurie are going to be spending the night." Dad said.

It hit me like a ton of bricks. That's what Zach was upset about. It was just like that time I stayed at his house, he was upset then too. I looked at Laurie, who seemed half excited at the prospect of a sleep over - but with a tinge of concern seemingly prompted by Zach's reaction. "O-okay." I said, a little concerned myself. I wanted to say they couldn't, since I had been wetting the bed, but couldn't bring myself to do that. Where else would they stay?

"Ready to go Zachary?" Dad asked him.

"Yeah." He blubbered again.

"Cooper, you can play with Laurie outside just don't leave the backyard." He told me. I realized he was effectively asking me to look after Laurie.

"Oh-okay." I repeated, still pretty nervous. I had never watched someone before, even if Mom was right inside.

Dad and Zach walked out of the backyard, Zach was still sniffling as I heard Dad's car door opening and closing around the corner.

Then, to my great surprise, Laurie smiled at me. It was big and wide. He wasn't faking it this time. "I'll get to sleep over!" He exclaimed, and jumped up excitedly in the air - stomping his snow boots down onto more unspoiled snow.

"Y-yeah." I stammered. I could hardly share his enthusiasm. Zach had been so upset. And something must have been really wrong at the hospital if both of their parents had to stay late. And on Christmas too. I felt a twist in my tummy, wondering what could have possibly happened.

Laurie flopped down onto the ground and started waving his hands all around. "What are you doing?" I questioned him, it almost looked like he was throwing a tantrum. I guess that would be understandable.

"Making snow angels." He said and carefully stood up. "You should try." He added and gave me a rough shove.

I fell onto the snow in the unwieldy snowsuit and started to make a snow angel myself, half-heartedly moving my arms up and down. I sat up, feeling a little awkward and embarrassed to be playing so whimsically when Zach was so upset, but Laurie didn't look at all bothered.

"They match!" he enthused. "We're like snow twins."

I frowned at him. "Are you okay?" I asked.

"Yeah!" Laurie beamed, but then frowned too when he saw my face. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Your parents." I ventured.

He shrugged. "They work late all the time."

"But it's Christmas." I disagreed. "And your birthday?"

"Yeah!" Laurie nodded excitedly. "And a sleepover!"

"Right..." I said tentatively, getting to my feet again. "Your brother was kinda upset."

"Uh-huh." Laurie nodded, now skipping happily through the snow kicking up white powdery plumes with his boots. "He gets upset a lot now. Mommy says it's her-moans."