One Small Weirdo This Way Comes

"Hi!"

Jake and JT looked up from their toys and glanced around curiously, unsure where the small voice was coming from.

"Hi!" The voice repeated from somewhere below them. Looking over the edge of their seat on the couch, they found another little boy pulling on the seat cushion to raise himself up to a standing position. He peered up at them, bright-eyed with wonder.

"Hi-hi-hi!" he chirped excitedly up at them.

JT waved back, cautiously. "Hi."

The boy beamed at the reply and returned with a sing-song refrain. "Hi-hi-hi-hi-hi!" Giggling, he let go of the seat to clap his hands, but without support, he easily lost his balance. His diapered rump bounced off the carpet with a light, muffled thud.

"He's kinda dumb," JT said flatly.

Jake frowned at his younger brother. "Be nice. He's not all grown up like we are, JT."

Carefully, the older boy slid off the seat and sat on the floor with the new boy. "What's your name?" Jake had to repeat himself a few times; the little boy's attention kept drifting before he finally replied.

"Cabbit! Ahm Cabbit! Hi!"

"Hi, Cabbit. I'm Jake. That's JT."

"Jak 'n Jetty! Hi!" Cabot waved cheerfully, happy to make new friends.

"Wanna play with us?" Jake asked.

"Yesh!" Excited, Cabot pushed himself to his feet, wobbled, grabbed the couch for balance, then tried to climb up. Seeing the little boy make little progress, JT made a little pout of disappointment, then reached out to help pull him up as Jake stood up and gave him a boost from behind.

Cabot giggled merrily as he flopped onto the couch beside JT like a giddy fish. Climbing back onto the couch, Jake caught his little brother's skeptical frown.

"He's just little," Jake assured him.

JT glanced at Cabot, who had picked up a toy car, held it above his head and began to make cat noises.

"I dunno, Jake. I think he's weird."

First Night Home

They had a new bunk bed in their new room in their new home by the beach, but only the bottom bunk was being used their first night there. Justin Thomas didn't want to be alone.

Jake sat on the bed next to his little brother, as they leaned against the wall beside the bunk. They watched the moonlight play on the waves outside their new window.

"They're nice, Jake."

"Yeah, they are."

"D'you like 'em, Jake?"

"Yeah, I do, JT."

"I like 'em too."

The younger boy paused, and hugged his blanket close. The rhythmic splash of the ocean filled the dark world outside.

"But I still want Mommy and Daddy back."

Jake heard a sob beside him. Reaching his arms out, he hugged JT in the dark.

"Yeah, me too."