A Simple Addition

The story opens at Whit's shop, where Whit is helping a customer track down an out-of-print book when his old friend Joe Rogers stops in with his little boy, Nicky. Joe is home on sabbatical writing a manuscript, and his wife Shelly is expecting a baby in two weeks - which suits Nicky just fine, because today's errand is supposed to end with a new pair of boots for him, boots he plans to wear to the movies. Nicky also chatters about his grandparents, Nana and Dadu, missionaries in Brazil with lots of snakes in their yard. But when Shelly rejoins them, she has surprising news: the baby is coming early, and she needs to go to the hospital right away. Whit volunteers on the spot to stay with Nicky, and the boot shopping is forgotten.

Soon Whit brings Nicky to the hospital nursery window to meet his brand-new baby sister, Shannon. Shelly is overjoyed to see her son, admiring the picture he drew of the family being rescued from a burning house by a brave fireman (Shelly mistakes the flames for orange curtains, and the tulips for more flames). Everyone coos over the tiny, nearly bald newborn - everyone except Nicky, who looks at his sister and announces, "I'd rather have my boots."

Things get harder once Shannon comes home. Nicky climbs into the crib and insists it is his bed, asks to sleep in Mommy and Daddy's room, and snatches the pacifier right out of Shannon's mouth, wailing that it's his binky until Joe orders him from the nursery. Moments later a glass shatters in the bathroom, and Nicky, frightened and in tears, begs for his old baby blanket. Joe hunts down the worn scrap of blankie and his toy lamb, Lambie, and a puzzled Joe and Shelly wonder whether their big boy is about to start sucking his thumb again.

Nicky bundles up and goes outside to the doghouse, where he squeezes in beside the family dog, Jingle Bells. He shares smuggled chicken and cake, then pours out his heart to the dog: Mommy and Daddy got a new baby, and he is just "an old baby." He shows Jingle Bells his blankie and Lambie, whose music box broke long ago - but when Nicky winds it and keeps on turning, Lambie suddenly plays again, chiming out "Jesus Loves Me" while Nicky sings along.

Joe comes looking for his son and settles down on the doghouse "front porch" for a gentle talk. He tells Nicky there is room in Mommy and Daddy's hearts for both children, and when Nicky asks, "Am I your favorite?" Joe answers that he can't imagine loving him more, and that he is the only Nicky they have. He reminds Nicky of the kittens at Mr. Riley's house - four of them, each one different, yet every one loved, fed, and protected by the mother cat, who can tell her babies apart even in the dark. And even if she couldn't, God could, because God made every kitten, and He made Nicky and Shannon too. Joe explains that every person is unique, that human babies usually come one at a time because people have so much to learn, and that Nicky, as the big brother born first, has a special job: Shannon is watching and listening to everything, and Nicky could teach her so much - even how to talk. Nicky brightens at the idea, offering to teach Mrs. Petrie's twins to talk as well. Joe adds that love only grows, and that the biggest love of all is God's love, which never needs to grow because He invented it - that is why Nana and Dadu went to Brazil, to show people how much God loves them.

When Nicky sadly remembers the promised boots, Joe admits he made a promise he hasn't kept and asks his son to forgive him and be patient. Just then Shelly calls out that Whit has arrived - with a package from Brazil, addressed to Nicky. Inside is a pair of beautiful boots, made by a man at the mission who has no feet at all but loves Jesus and wanted to give Nicky a special gift. The note ends with a blessing: "May your feet always be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace." As Nicky whoops with delight, Joe marvels, "God knew all along," and everyone gathers around to put the new boots on.