Ruby's Broken Bone

Ruby's Broken Bone Part 3

After school, back at the Bunnys' house, Max and Ruby were crafting paper maché projects on the kitchen table. Max was crafting a spider while Ruby was crafting a butterfly. Mrs. Bunny came into the kitchen.

"How are the paper machés coming, kids?" she asked.

"Great, Mom," said Ruby. "I think they're about ready to be painted."

"Alright," said Mrs. Bunny. "Hey, Ruby, I cleaned your room and spaced it out a little for you so you can navigate it a easier on your crutches."

"Oh thank you, Mom," said Ruby. Max tried to ignore what he just heard and concentrate on his spider.

"And just so you guys know that dinner's gonna be in about two hours," said Mrs. Bunny. "Max, I'm gonna help you set the table tonight."

"Why can't Ruby set the table with me?" asked Max. "She always does."

"Yes, but I think you know by now why we're not having her do it," said Mrs. Bunny.

"Hey, Mom," said Ruby. "Can I please have the sparkles to put on my butterfly wings?"

"Of course, sweetheart," Mrs. Bunny said, grabbing the jar of sparkles off the counter and handing it to her daughter.

"Thanks, Mom," Ruby said in a sweet tone.

"My pleasure," said Mrs. Bunny.

"Um... can I please have the purple paint for my spider, Mom?" asked Max.

"I think you can get up and get it yourself," said Mrs. Bunny. Max finally snapped.

"Okay, that is it!" Max exclaimed.

"What's wrong, Max?" asked Ruby.

"I don't wanna do crafts with you!" snapped Max, picking up Ruby's butterfly. "I don't wanna do anything with you ever again!" With that, he threw Ruby's paper maché butterfly on the ground in anger, breaking it into pieces. Ruby gasped at what her brother just did.

"Well, I don't wanna do activities with you, either!" Ruby snapped back. She grabbed her crutches and got out of the kitchen table chair, making her way through the kitchen towards the stairs. "Mom, can I please have a lift up to my room?"

"Of course, Ruby," said Mrs. Bunny. "I think you and your brother need some space for a bit. She picked up her daughter and started carrying her up the stairs. "I'm gonna have a little talk with him."

A few minutes later, Mrs. Bunny was sitting on the sofa in the living room while Max stomped around in anger.

"You seem pretty mad at Ruby," Mrs. Bunny said in a calm voice.

"She thinks she can do whatever she wants!" Max sputtered.

"But I thought you loved doing crafts with her," replied Mrs. Bunny with a smile. "Are you mad at me too?"

Max simply nodded with his back still turned to his mother. He then realized how he was really feeling and started crying.

"Ruby's getting all your and Dad's attention now, and you guys are spending all your time with her," Max sobbed. "You're not spending any time with me." As he cried, Mrs. Bunny smiled with the satisfaction that her son came to his senses.

"I think you're jealous of Ruby," said Mrs. Bunny, which made Max turn around to face his mother with tears streaming down his face.

"Jealous?" Max sniffed. "What does that even mean?"

"Jealous is how you feel when you want something that someone else has," said Mrs. Bunny. "Every since Ruby broke her leg, you noticed that she's been getting so much more help and attention, way more than she normally gets, and that you get. That made you jealous."