I could go on and on about the rivalry with my brother, like how he used to shove me into a footstool when I was five or six, then sit on the lid until I almost passed out from lack of oxygen (which may account for my claustrophobia). But, I think I'll stick with the rivalry with Cynthia's brother and sister.

As you probably know, Cynthia and I are best friends, and have been since day-one. Her sister is seventeen - five years older, so we always make it a point to stay out of her way. As far back as I can remember, we never caused her one minute's trouble! So, why does she consider us more annoying than the red clay she scrapes off her shoes at the front door? What'd we ever do to her?

Just because we occasionally play records (full blast) while she's practicing her precious piano. Or, maybe, once or twice lose phone messages from her precious Rodney (ICK!).

Her brother's job is to pester us at every opportunity. I'll never forget spending one cold winter night at Cynthia's house. She had an electric blanket that I thought was pretty cool. Okay...maybe it was hot. Whatever. Anyway, before we went to sleep, her brother opened the door and whispered, "Gus. Be sure you don't move a muscle during the night or that blanket will catch on fire." I don't think I closed my eyes all night.

No matter how hard we try, we can't seem to get back at him. Any suggestions?

Your friend, Gus

(also known as Mary Cunningham)

For a limited time: Buy Ghost Light eBook from Echelon Press and a FREE copy of The Missing Locket, Book One in the Cynthia's Attic Fantasy Adventure series, will be included with your download. (both stories are in the Ghost Light file.)

Mary Cunningham Books

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Discover the Magic in Cynthia's Attic ('tween time-travel series)

Just Don't Mess With My Radio!

by Pam Ripling

Coming clean. I did it. I ripped Barbie's head off. And it was my sister's Barbie. BUT... this was after she broke my phenomenal, brand-new clock radio!

Normally, you could put Barbie's head back on, but I think, no, I know, I did irreparable damage that day, and the little bubble-headed bleach blonde couldn't keep her head in place ever again. My sister never forgave me. (Well, maybe a little.)

Why do we do it? Is it attention we need? It must be a common problem, because TV sitcoms have been pitting sibling against sibling for decades. From Beaver and Wally Cleaver to Drake (and Josh) and Megan. Lizzie McGuire had Matt, Hannah Montana has Jackson.

It all actually started a long time ago, before television families even existed. One of the first stories in the Bible (generally considered the oldest book in Western civilization) is about the rivalry between two famous brothers, Cain and Abel. Cain, the older, complained about having to take care of Abel, demanding to know, "Am I my brother's keeper?" This story doesn't end well, by the way.

My story does. The radio still worked, although I had to bang on it a bit. And a bit of tape helped Barbie stay sane. My sister and I are the best of friends, despite years of competition for attention. Most people will tell you that time heals all sibling-inflected wounds. Too bad Cain couldn't wait around to find that out.

Pam Ripling is the author of middle-grade mystery, LOCKER SHOCK! Buy it at Quake, Fictionwise or Amazon today! E-book version now available for your Kindle! Visit Pam at www.BeaconStreetBooks.com.

An Inspirational Rivalry

As an only child, I don't have any experience in the area of sibling rivalry. I've seen it a lot, though, in the lives of friends and acquaintances, but it never seems to accomplish anything positive; rather, it breeds a quiet, malignant resentment.

There is one example of sibling rivalry that even those of us who don't have siblings can learn from, though...the famous tennis-playing sisters, Serena and Venus Williams. Both are considered top contenders in their sport, and are pitted against each other in nearly every major tennis competition. But rather than succumb to the out-and-out hostility that often plagues sports rivals, they seem to inspire one another to do better. They remain close off the court, and I've seen several pictures of them standing side by side holding trophies. One sister, of course, is holding the lower-ranked trophy, but there's no difference in the wattage of their smiles.

I think we can all learn from the Williams sisters, whether our rivals are family members, friends, or complete strangers. They don't allow jealousy to color their view; they simply hit harder, run faster, push farther, and at the end of the day, no matter who wins, they go home sisters.

Jacquelyn Sylvan is the author of Surviving Serendipity. Check it out at Amazon.com!

The Embarrassment Was Mutual!

by Pam Ripling

My brother told my friends that I lived in a closet. No lie. He was, at 17, already a great cartoonist, and he drew a picture of me with the heading, “MOLE HOLE” and taped it onto my bedroom door. Later, he thought better of it, and moved it to the hall closet door. Oh, my friends thought it was a riot!

He once tried to trade me a silver dollar for a plush bunny I’d received for Easter. No dice! I wouldn’t have given it to him for all the tea in Chinatown. I wanted that dollar, but no way was I negotiating with my arch-nemesis.

I got back at him, though. He had a little record player in his room, and although I wasn’t technically allowed to play in his room, I would. Sneak that I was. I turned on that record player and gave Barbie the ride of her life. Grew bored, left it going. Brother came home from high school with friends, had to explain Thrill Ride Barbie. Snort.

He was a pen-and-ink artist. I was fascinated by those little black bottles of India ink. So fascinated that I once dumped one on his bed. Oops. But he delighted in telling everyone that I was in love with Bobby Sherman or David Cassidy or whomever was my current heartthrob. So I wrote on his car. With paste.

Today, we are the best of friends and hardly ever embarrass each other. I think the teasing, razzing and pranks actually brought us closer somehow. Still, I do bring along a jar of paste when I visit him, just in case. You never know.

Pam Ripling is the author of middle-grade mystery, LOCKER SHOCK! Buy it at Quake, Fictionwise or Amazon today! E-book version now available for your Kindle! Visit Pam at www.BeaconStreetBooks.com.