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Sonic paced by the front door as he waited on his parents and siblings. “C’mon, slo-mos, I’m waiting.”
Aleena, who was brushing her fur and spines, stepped into the room. “Sonic, stop complaining and have some patience.”
Sonic stopped pacing. “I’m sorry, but what’s taking so long?”
“Your sister is still in the shower and your father is still combing out your brother’s spines.” Aleena said. “Your dad and I are ready; we’re just waiting on your siblings.”
Brenden walked Manic in. “You have to stop self-anointing, it makes it a whole lot harder to comb your spines.”
Manic hung his head. “I’m sorry, Dad.”
“What did you even self-anoint with?” Brenden asked.
“Silly putty.” Manic and Sonic replied at the same time.
“Don’t do it again.” Brenden said, shaking his head.
“Mother, the water is cold.” Sonia called.
Aleena stepped over to the bathroom door. “Then get out.” She said, pulling her long head fur into a low ponytail with a thick scrunchie. “We have to go, Princess.”
Sonia shut the shower off.
“Can you comb your fur and spines?” Aleena asked. “You know what, get dressed and bring your comb out here to me.”
“Yes, Mother.” Sonia replied.
Aleena headed to her room to put her brush away.
Manic looked at Brenden. “Why does it take girls forever to get ready?”
“It takes forever to get you ready to go anywhere too.” Brenden replied. “Or at least you need to if you insist on keeping your spines that long.”
Manic nodded tersely.
“Yeah, I know you think combing your spines is boring.” Brenden said.
Aleena and Sonia walked into the room.
Sonic groaned. “Let’s go already.”
“Hush, Sonic.” Brenden said.
Aleena combed Sonia’s spines and fur. “Do you have your purse?”
“No.” Sonia said.
Sonic ran out of the room, grabbed Sonia’s purse, then ran back. “Got it.”
“If you run in the house one more time, you’re grounded.” Brenden said.
“I’m sorry.” Sonic replied.
“I thought you learned your lesson after you slipped on the wet floor and hurt yourself.” Brenden said, picking up his car keys off the table.
“I forgot.” Sonic replied.
Aleena stopped combing Sonia’s spines and fur. “Okay. Let’s go.”


*
The triplets nearly dragged their parents into Toys R’ Us. They stared at the rows of playhouses and bikes.
Manic picked up a Super Soaker that was nearly bigger than he was.
“Are you sure that’s what you want?” Brenden asked.
“No.” Manic replied.
“Hold onto it, but look around first.” Brenden said.
Sonia motioned to their left. “I want to look at Barbies.”
“No.” Sonic and Manic protested.
“First, we’ll all look at the stuffed animals, then I’ll take you two to look at action figures and hot wheels while your mom and Sonia look at the dolls.” Brenden said.


*
The triplets slowly walked through the plushie aisle.
“Ooh, pound puppies.” Sonia said, picking up a box with three puppies in it.
“No, you have plenty of those and they’re cheaper at Wal-Mart.” Aleena replied.
Manic set down the Super Soaker and picked up an Ickis (from Aaahh!!! Real Monsters) plush. “Can I get him, please?”
Aleena sighed. “Who lets you watch that?”
“Shadow.” Manic said.
Aleena bit her lip. “I told you it’s too gross, I don’t want you watching it.”
Brenden looked at Aleena. “It’s not like it’s Ren and Stimpy, Babe.”
“Surge watches that.” Manic said.
Aleena shook her head. “I definitely don’t want you watching that show, Manic.”
Manic groaned. “Why?”
“It’s too adult for you.” Aleena replied.
Manic furrowed his brow, then shrugged. “So can I get Ickis or not?”
Aleena looked at Brenden.
Brenden pulled an Angry Beavers plushie set off the shelf. “Don’t you like this show better?”
Manic dropped the Ickis plush. “Yeah.” He said, holding his hands out.
Brenden handed it to Manic. “Okay, is this what you want?”
Manic nodded.
“Well, let’s look through the action figures. Brenden said. He looked at Aleena. “Meet you by the checkout lines.”
“Of course.” Aleena replied.


*
Aleena walked Sonia through the Barbie aisles.
There were two or three rows dedicated to the dolls, play sets, and accessories. One whole row of shelves were filled with outfits.
Sonia looked over each doll and outfit. She sighed at the playsets, which were a little too expensive.
“It’s a good thing your dad took your brothers to the action figure aisles.” Aleena said. “They’d annoy both of us.”
Sonia nodded. “How come I can play Hot Wheels with my brothers, but they can’t play Barbies with me?”
“What do you mean?” Aleena asked. “Didn’t Sonic and Manic play Barbies with you yesterday?”
“Kinda.” Sonia replied. “We were supposed to play house with them, but Sonic and Manic made it into… uh… like an action movie game. They wouldn’t play with my Ken doll, so I let them play with their GI Joes. So they had to rescue Barbie from Ken, who they made into the bad guy. They were supposed to be a couple.”
Aleena laughed. “I’m sorry, Sonia.” She said, wiping her eyes. “I’m sorry it didn’t go well, it’s not what I expected to hear. I’ll tell your dad to have a talk with them.”
“He’s worse at playing Barbies than Sonic and Manic.” Sonia replied. “He just sits there, at least Sonic and Manic try.”
“Okay, I’ll have a talk with all three of them.” Aleena said.
Sonia picked up an Oreo Barbie.
“Sonia don’t you have that doll at home?” Aleena asked.
“Yeah, but the sticker came off her shirt.” Sonia replied.
“Sonia, it’s silly to buy a doll just to replace her shirt.” Aleena said. “We can make her a new shirt.”
Sonia set the doll back, then squealed and picked up another.
“I didn’t know they had Babysitters club dolls.” Aleena said. “Is that your favorite one?”
Sonia grinned. “Yeah, it’s Claudia and she’s the last one.”
“Okay, let’s wait on your brothers.” Aleena said, walking Sonia out of the aisle.


*
Brenden walked the boys through the action figure aisle.
Sonic sighed. “I don’t want any of these.”
“Then you can save your money.” Brenden said.
Manic pointed at the GI Joes. “They make a girl one?”
Brenden glanced at the action figure. “Apparently, she’s a combat nurse, so she doesn’t do much fighting.”
“Lame.” Sonic muttered.
“It’s an important job, Sonic, don’t be a smart aleck.” Brenden replied. “I think combat medics have to learn basic training too.”
“Yes, Dad.” Sonic said. He picked up a Hot Wheels race track. “Can I get this? It's on sale.”
Brenden looked at the price tag. “Yeah, you have just enough for it.”
“Good.” Sonic replied. “Let’s go.”


*
The hedgehog family made it home.
Sonia glanced across the street. “Can I show Claudia to my friends please?”
“Tomorrow, Sonia.” Aleena said. “I don’t think Bunnie is home today. Her mom said she was taking her to the zoo today.”
“Can we go to the zoo one day?” Sonic asked.
“We’ll see.” Brenden said, unlocking the door. “But you all can play with your new toys after lunch.”
Brenden led the kids and Aleena inside.
“I can’t wait to show everyone my race track.” Sonic said.
Manic bit his lip and nodded.
“What’s wrong, Manic?” Aleena asked.
“Shadow will probably say my new toys are a baby’s toy.” Manic replied.
“If he does, I’ll say something.” Sonic said.
Brenden knelt down in front of Manic. “Do you really want the plushies?”
Manic nodded.
“Then if you like it, that’s what matters.” Brenden said. “Don’t let it bother you if Shadow has a different opinion than you. Don’t make yourself like or not like something because of someone else.”
“Yes, Dad.” Manic replied.
“Now, go put your toys in your room, then help us with lunch.” Brenden said, ruffling Manic’s spines.
The triplets headed for their rooms as Brenden stood up.
“I couldn’t have said it better myself.” Aleena said.
“Thanks.” Brenden replied.
Aleena and Brenden walked into the kitchen.
“So Sonia mentioned you and the boys just can’t play Barbies with her.” Aleena said.
Brenden sighed. “Hey, I didn’t have sisters and at least the boys tried.”
Aleena smiled and shook her head.
“Okay, we need to learn.” Brenden replied.
“Thanks, Honey.” Aleena said, hugging Brenden. “It’s sweet of you to try.”
The triplets wandered in.
“Aww!” Sonia squealed.
Sonic and Manic gagged.
“Oh, don’t be silly, boys.” Aleena said. “You won’t think that’s gross in a few years.”
Sonic and Manic rolled their eyes. “Yeah, right.”