#tiny tracys

Gordon’s face fell.  He had hoped his request would result in being bought a popsicle without having to dip into his precious and much depleted holiday reserves.  He left his mother building sandcastles with baby Alan and trudged back to the stack of bags, obligatory for every Tracy beach trip, kicking at the sand as he went.

Gordon dug through their belongings, unearthed the coin purse emblazoned with a starfish, and tipped the contents out onto the corner of a beach towel.

Virgil looked up from his own position on a nearby towel.  The rummaging through bags and clinking of coins, not to mention the accompanying deep sighs that only a six year old in search of ice cream could make was distracting to say the least.  He put down his sketchpad knowing that he wouldn’t be able to concentrate on his seascape until Gordon had moved on.

“What’s the matter Gordy?”

“Wanted a popsicle.”

“What did Mom say?”

“She said yes, as long as I bought it myself.”

Virgil could clearly see the dilemma in his brother’s features.  While they might have plenty of money as a family their parents were keen to instill some financial sense into the boys.  If they wanted something they had to earn it or save for it from their allowance.  If money ran out that was it, gone until more could be earnt.  

At the start of the holiday each boy had been given a special bonus to spend as they pleased.  For the oldest ones, who had also been saving for the trip to the coast, their holiday fund was pretty healthy.  For Gordon, who had started the trip without extra savings, and who had spend most of his money on treats and candy in the first few days, the contents of his coin purse made a very meagre pile.

“Do you have enough?”

“Yes but it’s the sea life centre tomorrow.”

Gordon started to carefully count the coins back into the purse, making sure not a single quarter got missed.  Evidently there would be no popsicles today and probably no more for the entire trip.

Virgil took pity on his forlorn sibling.

“Let’s go for a walk” he said, carefully putting the lid back on his tin of pencils and tucking them away in his travel art case.

The pair set off down the beach.  Lucille watched them go with half an eye, keeping track of her large brood was no easy feat especially with Alan demanding so much attention.  As if on cue the chubby blonde tried to eat a handful of sand.  By the time she looked up again the two wandering boys had reached the corner of the headland and would soon be out of sight.  She wasn’t too worried though, she trusted Virgil to keep an eye on his younger brother.

As they walked along Virgil could feel the longing radiating off his sibling.  

“Would you like me to buy you a popsicle?”

Gordon looked up, smiled, then frowned.

“Wouldn’t be fair.”

“What if I bought popsicles for everyone?”

“Still not fair.  I want a popsicle so I should buy it.”

Virgil looked into that small but serious face.  He could see how much the thought of a frozen treat was gnawing away at Gordon but the young boy had clearly taken their mother’s words to heart.

“What if you did chores to earn the money but I pay you in advance?”

He could almost hear the thoughts chasing round Gordon’s head as he contemplated the offer.  There was a definite frown and the merits of owing a debt were weighed up against the promise of a popsicle.

“Okay, but can I earn enough to get popsicles for everyone?”

Virgil looked down fondly.  As well as being taught to be sensible with money all the brothers had been taught to be kind.  Being kind was more valuable than the entire family fortune.  

A few minutes, and one trip to the beach cafe later, Gordon and Virgil returned to the family beach encampment bearing a brightly coloured plastic bucket stuffed full of popsicles.  Their shouts brought Scott and John running back from the water and soon the whole family was gathered round while Gordon solemnly handed out popsicles to everyone, including his parents.  The empty bucket was then handed to Alan who was delighted at having a new toy to help with the sandcastle building.

Later that night Lucille took Virgil to one side.

“That was a very kind thing you did today, I hope you haven’t left yourself short.”  She knew seven popsicles and a beach toy wouldn’t have been cheap, the cafe charged a premium to the visiting tourists.

“It’s fine.”  Virgil gave the embarrassed shrug of the pre-teen.

“And he does need to pay you back otherwise he’ll never learn his lesson.”

“I know Mom.  I just didn’t like seeing him upset.  You know, he was really proud at the thought of being able to give something to all of us.”

“That’s great Sweetie, although I wonder how that idea ended up in his head?” Lucille teased, knowing it was an action more characteristic to her second son than any of the others.