"Ma ma ma."

"What are you doing up? You're gonna wake mom and dad."

"Gah!"

"Shhhh!"

"GAH!"

Joanie, shuffling in a pair of giant pink rabbit slippers, entered her brother's bedroom. She could barely make him out, standing in his crib.

"Don't you know what time it is? Stupid baby. Mom and Dad are going to be mad if they catch you up."

"Bwwwwww."

Josh threw a stuffed toy over the edge of the crib and watched with bright eyed interest as it hit the ground, joining the half a dozen other toys littered on the nursery floor.

"Bah!" Joanie sighed as she picked it up for him.

"Youıll love having a little brother," she mimicked quietly, "someone to play with." She handed the toy to Josh. "I wanted a dog."

Josh grabbed the offered toy and with a mischievous glance at his sister, threw it back.

Joanie stared him down.

"Josh ­ we need to talk. Get a few things straight. Iım the big sister around here."

"BAH BAH BAH!"

He had his arms outstretched, reaching for her. Joanie didn't budge.

"Do you know what being the big sister means?"

"BAH!" Josh lost his balance and sat down with a thud. He stared up, suddenly quiet, his eyes wide in surprise.

"Oh all right. Jeez."

Joanie released the clasp on the crib, lowering the side until she could grasp Josh's squirming body. With a heave, she lifted him out of the crib.

"It means you do what I say. Got it?"

"Gah."

"And you canıt take my stuff. "

She stumbled slightly, and she felt Joshıs arms tighten around her.

"Although if you ask I may share."

She shifted him around in her arms, trying to get a better grip. Inhaling a breath of his clean, baby sweet scent.

"And when my friends come over, you canıt cry. You can only be all cute."

Joanie smoothed his fine blond hair that was already twisting into strange, springing curls.

"Understand?"

"Baah." Josh agreed quietly.

"Cause the important thing is, I was here first."

They had reached Joanie's room.

"But it won't be too bad for you. Cause you'll have me. And when you have nightmares and you wake up early in the morning, youıll have someone to talk to without bothering mom and dad."

Joanie carefully shut her door before turning on the lights, taking one small look to make sure the shadow monsters were gone.

"And when you're stuck on the stupid third bar on the fiftieth page of a piece, you'll have someone who you can talk to about it."

She pushed aside her music books, making room on the carpet.

"Someone to watch your back."

Joanie sat Josh down, setting a few of her toys within his easy reach.

"You know, I'm not sure there is anyone luckier than you, having someone like me."

"Bah."

Joanie leaned forward, and Josh's eyes widened as their noses touched.

"That's right, mister. I'm your big sister, and don't you forget it."