I watch the small, white puppy
Jump on to the leather couch
The warm heat from the furnace
Doesn’t bother him.
Neither does the idea
That the bone is far out of his reach.

My sister,
On the other hand
Sits on the other side of the room
With the same problem.

The puppy’s nose crinkles as he sniffs something delicious
He whines for the box of treats.
Realizing how far they really are

Not for me!

Neither is the “tough”
Math problem
That my sister struggles with.

Both the dog and my sister
Think that they need
The bone or to finish the math problem.
But really
They need help.
From me.
From someone that’s
Taller.
Or better.

He attempts several times
Missing every try
Scratching the small tiles,
Pulling papers off,
Tearing away all form of patience.
For everyone.

Phone chargers
Notebooks
And Kleenex boxes
Are all knocked off
As he tries,
Yet again.

Textbooks
Papers
And pencils
Are all knocked off
As she tries the problem,
Yet again.

They both stare at me
Obviously
For help.
Begging.
Pleading.


I, of course
Refuse
To both of them
As I do every time
Thinking how unhealthy that bone is
And how she could finish that problem on her own
I push it back even farther
And yell even louder

Showing no sympathy
For the adorable look on his face
Or the puddle she’s drowning in
I turn around
And walk away
Around the corner.