Where's My Baby Brother

                                   WHERE IS MY BABY BROTHER?

         “Mommy’s home!” Grady shouted and ran for the door.  As his parents entered he looked puzzled.  Mommy hugged and kissed him and went into the bedroom with Grandma.  Daddy picked up Grady and held him close. 

         Grady asked, “Where is my baby brother?  Where is Michael?”

         “We couldn’t bring him home, Honey,” Daddy said.

         “Why not?”

         “There’s something I have to tell you and it might be hard to understand because you’re four.”

         “Tell me.”

         “See, Grady, there was something wrong with Michael’s heart.  It didn’t beat right.”

         “Like Grandpa’s?”

         “Yes.  The doctors tried to help him but then his heart stopped.  Michael died.”

         Grady’s big brown eyes clouded.  “Like Grandpa?”

         “Yes.”  There were tears in Daddy’s eyes.

         “Michael went to heaven?”

         “Yes.”

         “So I guess Grandpa can take care of him.  Do they have a little crib for him there?”

         Daddy held Grady tight and said, “They will take care of him.”

         “I wanted to play with him and teach him things,” Grady said.

         “So did I.”

         “Grandpa was old but Michael was new, he just got born.”

         “Sometimes babies die.”

         “Will I die?”

         “You’re healthy and we take good care of you.  I think you will live a long time and have gray hair someday.”

         “Like Grandpa.  Daddy I feel sad for Michael.”

         “So do I.  But I have you and you make me happy again.”
         
         230 words