Tom had a special spot on the sofa, right beside the red cushion. He loved that spot. It was his.
When Mum built a tower and knocked it down, the baby clapped and laughed. "Isn't that clever?" said Dad.
Mum laughed. Dad laughed. The baby laughed. "He makes everyone happy," said Mum.
Tom watched. He didn't feel like laughing. He didn't know why.
He drove his truck under the table. "Tom! Stop sulking. Come and be with the family."
"Look how happy the baby is. You understand, don't you? You're our big boy now."
"You only care about the baby." — "Tom, that's not nice. Of course we care."
"The baby needs more help than you. But you're strong. You can handle it. We're proud of you."
"That used to be my place." — "It's still your place. But now we all share. That's what families do."
"Give the baby this block. Show him how. You're such a good helper." He put a block in Tom's hand.
Tom gave the baby the block. "What a wonderful big brother! See? Helping feels good, doesn't it?" Tom nodded.
Tom was the big boy now. That was a good thing.
Wasn't it.
Milo had a red cushion at the end of the sofa.
It was not officially his, but everyone knew.
The baby had learned to clap.
When Mother built a tower and knocked it down, the baby slapped both hands and laughed.
Father laughed too. Mother laughed again.
The baby laughed because they laughed.
Milo watched from the carpet.
Something in his stomach pulled itself into a small, hard knot.
He drove his truck under the table. The wheel knocked the chair leg, hard.
Nobody looked up.
Then Mother looked over.
"Something changed in your face. Did it get tight inside?"
Milo kicked the rug edge. "You like the baby better."
The words came out sharp, then wobbly.
Father sat on the floor near him.
"Sharp on the outside. Wobbly underneath. I want to hear it."
Milo pointed at the sofa.
"That was my place. Now the baby gets all the funny."
Father patted the red cushion.
"The baby needs holding. You need holding too. We can make room badly first, then better."
Milo climbed beside Father. Milo held his truck close.
"This one is mine. The soft block can be for the baby."
"That works," Mother said.
The knot in his stomach did not vanish, but it loosened.