Elsie in Charge

“Shut up!” Elsie barks to cut off your big reveal. “Both of you!”

You and Fiona both startle and look up at your younger sister wondering what the hell she was on about. In her dark eyes you see that playful twinkle you knew so well. Elsie was up to something. Something fun. After the emotional outpouring of the past few minutes it was sorely welcomed by all of you.

“Is she always going to be this bossy now?” Fiona asks.

“Dunno.” You shrug. “I hope not.”

“Shut up you!” She says threateningly, the jocular glint in her eye, the barely restrained giggle, and fact that she was probably the least threatening person you knew made it hilarious. Wanting to see where this was going you make a show of clamping your lips tight. “That’s better.” She nods as she crosses her arms. “I’ve finally got the pair of you at me feet. I’ll never have a chance like this again. I’m in charge now!”

Fiona was having a hell of a time containing her laughter as you try to look impressed at Elsie’s attempted dominance. “We’re all very impressed down here.” Your big sister says drolly.

“You better be!” El chirps. “Now shut up!”

“You don’t have to keep telling us to shut up.” You laugh.

“You started this whole shut up business.” Fiona quips at you. “I blame you.”

“You were the one…” You start to reply.

“SHUT UP!”

You and Fiona fall quiet. El widens her stance and plants her hands on her hips in a power pose, she looked like a wannabe superhero. It was so hard to take her seriously.

“Okay brother, okay sister.” She says. “Like I said, I’m in charge now.”

“This ought to be good.” Fiona mutters out of the side of her mouth to you.

“Can we stand up now?” You jest just to tease Elsie.

“No! Stay on the ground and…SHUT UP!” El points at you both sternly…before a little pout sprouts on her lips and she softens her tone into a more Elsie like plead. “Please?”

Fiona cannot contain her smile. She holds her hands up in surrender. You are glowing with silly joy and you signal your submission as well. How could you say no to that?

“That’s better.” El nods firmly then declares. “We’re playing a game.”

“You’ve got to be joking. After all that you want to…” Fiona groans before she is silenced by a stern look. “Sorry.”

“You can leave now if you don’t want to play my game.” El says indignantly. “Do you want to leave?”

Fiona rolls her eyes and responds with a hint of sarcasm. “No Ma’am.”

“No Ma’am.” You echo. You were more than a bit curious now.

“Good! Now shut up.” Then, gazing deep in your eyes, Elsie adds more calmly. “You can bow out of the game at any time…if you need to.” You cock a curious brow. Where was she taking this? She looks to Fiona. “Either of you.” Her authoritative tone then returns. “Now…shut up!”

“We didn’t even say anything!” You protest to the laughs of your big sister.

“Shut up!” El snaps, trying hard to maintain her tough act through the titters. After order had been restored and she had your undivided attentions she announces. “We’re playing a game. That game is called Elsie Says.”

You and Fiona look to each other out of the corners of your eyes.

“Okay my puppets.” El says. “Elsie says…get to your knees.”