Old Tatters

“Trevor, can you find my Old Tatters?”

I looked away from my computer. My little sister, wearing her footsie pajamas and clutching her favorite stuffed rabbit, was standing beside me.

“I’m busy, Melissa.”

She blinked, and tears filled her eyes. “Please?”

I sighed. Since I’m already 9 years old, Melissa always thinks I can solve problems. Usually I can. I’ve fixed her dollhouse, and I’ve found Old Tatters for her lots of times. That’s what we call the piece of cloth that’s left from the blanket she’s dragged around for all of her 4 years. It’s worn and tattered, but she loves it.

“Bedtime, Melissa,” Mom called. “You have Wendy Rabbit. Now get Old Tatters and come on. Tomorrow is a big day!”

Now Melissa looked panicked. She was starting her first day of preschool in the morning--that idea alone was scary. But to try to sleep without Old Tatters the night before? I knew she could never do it. She had to have both Wendy Rabbit and her piece of blanket.

“OK,” I told her. “I’ll help you find it.”

In minutes, I had found it under the sofa. She pressed it to her face. Melissa always liked the smell as well as the feel of her blanket.

“Are you taking Old Tatters with you tomorrow?” I asked. But I really didn’t need to ask the question. Melissa could go all day without Wendy, but she carried her piece of blanket everywhere.

“Mel and Old Tatters will have a great time in school,” Mom said. “It’s going to be lots of fun.”

But Melissa still looked worried.

This story will be on The Times’ Web site at https://www.latimes.com/kids.