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 Jess Was The Brave One

When something scary came on TV, Jess
liked it. "Tell me when it's over," Claire moaned,
putting a pillow over her head.

Sometimes, Jess thought it was funny to say it
was over when it really wasn't. Then Claire would
run into their bedroom and slam the door. She
would not come out until Jess said. "But really,
Claire, you are such a baby."

"I am not. I just have an overactive imagination,"
Claire said. She tried to sound proud, but she did
not fool Jess.

Jess loved thunderstorms. She was not scared
of witches or monsters or haunted houses.
There was no doubt about it.
Jess was the brave one.

Then, one Saturday morning, Claire heard Jess
screaming. She ran outside to see what was wrong.
Jess was trying to grab something from some big
kids. She was crying.
"Give him back," she was shouting. "Give Pink Ted back!"

Claire marched over and stood next to her little sister.
"You'd better give her back that bear," she said in
a loud, clear voice, "or Wellington and Wilberfoce
will get you."
That tall boy looked down at her. He was holding
Pink Ted up high where Jess could not reach.
He was laughing.
"Who's going to get me?" he said.

Claire talked a tiny bit louder but she sounded very calm.
"Wellington and Wilberforce are our cousins,"
she said. "They are coming over in fifteen minutes.
They are much bigger than you. MUCH bigger.
Wilberforce is in the Navy. Wellington is police Chief."
"She's making it up," the shorter girl said. But
she did not sound sure.

Jess had stopped crying. She was staring at her big sister.
"Wellington has a dragon tattooed on his chest,"
Claire said. "He hates bullies. And Wilberforce is
a champion wrestler in his spare time. He gave
Pink Ted to my sister. If anything happens to that
bear, Wilberforce will be very, very mad!

I still think she's making it up," said the not-so-big boy,
"but you'd better give back the kid's bear,
just in case. Only babies like teddies anyway."
"Wilberforce is twenty-six," Claire said dreamily,
"and he has a teddy bear collection. He keeps it
with his judo stuff."
The big boy threw Pink Ted to Jess. "Take your
dumb bear then," he said. "We have to get moving.
Come on, you guys." They ran off down the street.

Jess clutched Pink Ted to her chest.
"Oh, Claire, you saved Pink Ted!" she said. "He
really did get kidnapped by bandits. I was scared
but you were as brave as a lion. How did you
ever think up all that crazy stuff? Tell me more
about those cousins of ours."
Claire thought for a moment.
"Wilberforce plays the mouth organ," she said,
"and Wellington is double- jointed. He also has a
very overactive imagination."
  by- Jean Little