wheelchair next to the couch where Greg and April sat James looked annoyed I hope this won’t take long he muttered plopping down on the spot next to April He folded his arms and glared at their grandfather Times are getting hard around here Grandpa began Your grandmother has to get a job to help out with the bills April’s eyes widened She glanced at their grandmother who nodded in agreement That means that from now on we’ll have to count on you four to help out around the house Grandpa said calmly You’ll no longer be getting your allowance unless you do your chores Your grandmother and I have to work 6
hard for our money We feel that you all should do the same That’s not fair James exclaimed His fi st pounded the armrest You expect us to do chores Why can’t Grandma just clean after she gets home from work April looked at James like she wanted to slap him How dare you she shouted Grandpa raised a hand in warning to April but he eyed James Your grandmother and I are not as young as you are Grandpa said Since you were young you’ve eaten the food we buy you You’ve worn the clothes we buy you Now you are old enough to help out and keep the house clean Grandpa turned and smiled at Grandma She handed him the papers 7
keeping a copy for herself Grandpa handed them to Charles who passed them down When James read his list his eyes narrowed Wash the dishes Set the table Cook dinner Take out the trash He fl ung down the paper and folded his arms again I’m not doing it You can’t make me You’re right Grandpa smiled coolly I can’t make you but I won’t pay you either Fine James got up and stomped out of the room and up the stairs Seconds later he slammed his bedroom door Grandpa Greg said reading the chores lists I don’t mind helping you and Grandma He looked up and smiled at his grandparents Grandpa Joe smiled back 8
Good Grandpa beamed at the three of them It’s settled then April Charles and Greg nodded The next evening Greg helped April cook dinner Charles set the table But James was nowhere to be found He’s probably hanging out with his friends April said when Greg asked where he was He should be here helping Greg didn’t mind doing the chores To him setting the table and taking out the trash were worth the grateful looks on his grandparents faces You are the greatest grandchildren I could ever want Grandma Rose told them one evening She still had on her uniform from the hotel where she 9
