Just Hit 'Send' By Grasshopper

Just Hit 'Send' - The Happy Years by Grasshopper Ch. 14

Danny sat in the big comfy chair, his legs sprawled over one arm, his head resting tiredly against the back, watching JD play with Bug. JD was holding his finger on the tip of Bug's nose and then moving it to his own ear, then to his other ear and back on to his nose.

"You're gonna make that little guy cross-eyed in you don't stop," Danny laughed.

"I am watching him follow my finger," JD frowned. "He does it good."

"Then why the frown?" Dan asked.

"Cause, watch Papa D." JD poked his face near Bug's and said, "Hey, little Buggie," and Bug reached up his hands to grab JD's face.

"So? He wants to pull off your nose."

"No, No, Papa D. Watch," JD said in frustration. He stood up and walked behind Bug and clapped his hands. Bug just stared at Dan, a sweet smile on his face.

"He thinks you're gone," Danny said.

"Papa D!!!!" JD groaned. He moved right next to Bug's ear and said, "Buggie, look at Brother." Bug kept smiling at Dan.

Now, it was Dan's turn to frown. He climbed out of the chair and down onto the floor with the kids. "Hey there, little Bug," he said, and watched Bug grab for his finger. "JD, go get the big red dictionary from Daddy's desk." He sat there watching the baby, praying that what he was thinking was wrong; wishing that Jordan was home.

JD came staggering over to the blanket clutching the huge book, his eyes wide. "You want to read this?"

"No," Dan said calmly, "I want you to go to the couch, put the dictionary on it and then climb up."

Hearing the grownup sound in Papa D's voice, JD did just that and then looked at Dan.

"Now, hold the dictionary out and drop it."

JD frowned some more. "Drop Daddy's big book?" he asked hesitantly. "He will be mad."

"No, he won't. I'll tell him why."

"But..........."

"JD, drop the book."

JD gulped at the serious sound in his Papa D's voice. He dropped the book. It made a loud whacking sound as it hit the wood floor. He watched Papa D jump at the sound; he knew it was coming, but he jumped too. Only Bug did not jump. Bug just kept smiling that sweet smile and holding out his little hands. JD watched Papa D lift Bug up and hold him tightly against his chest, a funny look on his face. He wasn't sure why, but he just sat down on the couch and didn't ask.

**

"He's only six weeks old."
"I thought it was just that there's always so much going on."
"Maybe he just doesn't know to turn his head and look."
"I know he can see us."
"I'm calling Dr. Gregory right now."

JD could hear the grownups in the living room. He sat on the floor just behind the hallway door listening. Mommy had told him to go to his room and play, but this was about Bug and the big book. JD was scared cause they all sounded scared. What was wrong with his brother?

**

The next morning, Dr. Gregory had done a preliminary hearing screening on Bug and then set up an appointment with an otolaryngologist, a specialist in ear, nose and throat, for a complete hearing evaluation.

"Dr. Davis will be able to answer all your questions," Dr. Gregory said gently. He was sitting across his desk from the largest nuclear family he had ever dealt with and wasn't sure which way to look, so he just kept his eyes trained on Markie.