"Give me back my doll, Ken!"
A young Gwen shouted while her blonde pigtails bounced as she sprinted after her older brother.
Ken, a boy of about ten with a devilish grin, held the doll high above his head, just out of her reach.
"Come and get it, shorty!"
Ken taunted, laughing as he dashed down the hallway.
"You're so mean!"
Gwen yelled, her face red with frustration.
In the living room, Tess, their mother, sighed and set her book down on the side table.
She stood, hands on her hips, and called out.
"Hey! What's all this noise about?!"
Ken skidded to a stop, his grin faltering as he darted behind Tess for cover.
Gwen rushed in front of her mother with her little fists clenched as she cried.
"Mom! Ken took my doll, and now he won't give it back!"
Tess pinched the bridge of her nose and let out another exasperated sigh──you could just tell she was tired of these two bundles of happiness.
