Note: This isn’t finished, but I had to post something :)

“Did you take it?” I demand, pushing past my brother to get to my sister.

She looks up at me, frightened. “I- no, what? No, I didn’t.”

I breathe hard, hand steadying myself against the wall. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah. Why?” She starts picking at her nails.

I gently push her hands apart. “Stop that. Here, chew a piece of gum.”

She brushes my hand aside. “No thanks. I don’t like mint.”

I inwardly sigh & pop the gum into my own mouth. “Fine, fiddle w/ this instead.” I give her a pen that was in my pocket. “Just don’t pick at your nails.”

She opens her mouth, surprised, then simply shrugs. “Okay, thanks. & I didn’t take the cookie jar.”

I give her a side hug. “I believe you. Just don’t go into it, & if you see who has it, tell me right away, please. But I don’t want you anywhere near that thing.”

“I got it. Don’t worry abt me.”

I return her smile. “I’ll be back,” I promise, & when I’m out of earshot, I add “& I’ll always worry abt you.”