I'm still trying to get published, but no luck yet.  This was originally 
a Michelle story that I've tried to get published, but it got pretty long and 
besides, I think they use just "Michelle and Friends" now, focusing on her at 
school more.  So, I changed my more realistic "Home Alone"-type story to a 
Stephanie one for this forum.

     This story is titled "Home Alone With A Little Sister."  I think you'll 
agree it would have been worlds better if they'd made a "Home Alone" like 
this, with Miss Sweetin in the lead. (maybe someday, I or someone else with 
lots more time can make one up, with pictures, that's not a Full House 
story.) Michelle may be driven crazier having both Nicky and Alex to handle 
in my book, but Steph goes through a lot here as Michelle is starting to get 
a little of that attitude kids get either before or during their Kindergarten 
years.  And now, she can't just say "well, Dad, you should be tough," because 
she's the only one there.

     Enjoy.  BTW, the first incident, with Danny still there, actually 
happened in one household between a 6 and 4YO, as reported on AOl's "Kids Say 
the Darndest Things" board.  And I got sent to my room for doing what 
Michelle does with a bar of soap in the story when I was four, same comments 
and everything, according to my mom.  I was better at staying in my room, 
though :-)




HOME ALONE (WITH A LITTLE SISTER)

     Takes place between fourth and fifth seasons.  Stephanie doesn't think her dad is tough enough on Michelle.  So, she tries to crack down herself.  Then, she learns how tough it really is to be a parent, when she's left home alone with Michelle.

     Nine-year-old Stephanie Tanner walked into the house with her four-year-old sister, Michelle, and their dad's best friend Joey.  She turned and spoke to the younger girl.  "Now, Michelle, remember what I told you.  We never say that word."
     "Okay."
     "What word," their dad, Danny Tanner, wanted to know.
     Joey shook his head.  "She just said we never say that word."
     A light bulb seemed to come on over Danny's head.  He put down his dust rag and knelt down to Michelle's level.  "Honey, did you hear some kids saying a bad word on the playground?"  She nodded.  "Well, I know you're not going to say it now, right?"
     "Right."
     Stephanie grumbled.  She'd been trying to get Michelle to stop saying it all the way home.  She followed her dad toward the kitchen.  "Dad, she wouldn't stop till we got in the door."
     Danny turned to face her.  "Just ignore it, hon.  I'm sure it's just a phase."
     "The moon has phases, Dad.  Does she look like the moon?"
     Joey studied Michelle's hair.  "Well, now that you mention it, it's grown back, but that last haircut was butchered."
     "Remind me never to let Kimmy cut her hair again," Danny spoke of the neighbor girl.
     Michelle got an ornery grin.  "I'll say it now instead.  @*#%," she said proudly.
     Stephanie glared harshly at Michelle.  "How rude!"  She turned to her dad.  "We tried ignoring it, and then we tried talking to her."  Danny merely told the tot it wasn't a nice word.  Stephanie growled slightly and walked into the kitchen while her dad spoke to Michelle.
     She supposed she couldn't blame him for having little clue how to handle preschoolers; he had to fill the role of both parents.
     Stephanie mother, Pam, had died when Stephanie was five, and her older sister D.J. was ten.  Michelle was still a baby then.  Their dad, Danny, needed help raising them. So, his best friend, Joey Gladstone, moved in to help.  So did Danny's brother-in-law, Jesse Katsopolis.  However, their Uncle Jesse and Aunt Becky, his new wife, weren't in the house that summer.  They were with Jesse's band.  Jesse was touring a large number of Midwestern county fairs and other events.  Fewer people lived in their house than in a long time.
     Stephanie still remembered some about her mom - mostly just fun times, though.  As she thought about her, D.J. walked in the back door.  "Hey, Steph," she said happily.
     Stephanie greeted her and grabbed a bar of soap.  When D.J. asked its purpose, Stephanie merely said "you'll see."  She hid it behind her back and turned toward Michelle as the four-year-old walked into the kitchen.
     "Hi, @*#%," came Michelle's greeting.  "Joey took us to the playground."
     "Michelle, that was not a nice word," D.J. spoke in a loving, but stern, voice.  "You should never say that word."
     "But I'm grown up now.  I'm gonna be in Kindergarten," she boasted.  "And I can talk like I want, @*#%."

     Stephanie rolled her eyes.  She thought her dad treated Michelle like a princess.  Until last fall, he hadn't sent Michelle to her room for punishment at all.
     Michelle was usually very good.  But, sometimes, Stephanie felt, their dad let her get by with too much.  Michelle would be over two months shy of five when she got to Kindergarten.  The tot had wanted to go, though, so she got her way.  That was making her bolder and bolder.
     Stephanie worried it could get as bad as it had last fall, before Michelle's first punishment.  So, she decided to take action.
     "Oh, Michelle," Stephanie said, talking extra sweetly with her hands behind her back.  "I've got a surprise for you."
     "What is it?" came the expectant voice.
     "This is for my sister for saying that new word.  Close your eyes and stick out your tongue."  Michelle scrunched her eyes shut and stuck her tongue out as far as she could, expecting a cookie or something else sweet.
     Instead, Stephanie quickly brushed the bar of soap along Michelle's tongue. D.J. stifled giggles with her hand.   Michelle's eyes grew wide, and she instantly got a disgusted look on her face.  "Ewwww, gross," shouted Michelle.  "Ptui!  I thought you had some candy.  What a rip off!"
     As Danny and Joey entered, Stephanie gestured with the soap.  She said "that's just what that word's like when it comes out of anyone's mouth."
     Joey raised his eyebrows.  "Steph, I know your dad's obsessive about cleaning, but I don't think our tongues need to be washed."
     Stephanie smiled.  "I'm just trying to help."
     Danny knelt down to her level.  "Steph, I know you want Michelle to stop saying that.  But you don't have to do something so drastic."
     "I know."  She went on to mumble "it's better than when you don't do anything."
     "When I don't do anything?"  Danny thought a moment.  "Steph, she's been punsihed sometimes."
     "Dad, her first punishment wasn't even a year ago.  And you had such problems she wouldn't just stay in her room like we do.  You had to make her sit and look at the wall.  And then it was hard to get her to stay right away."
     D.J. nodded.  "Yeah, Mom would put Steph in timeout when she'd just turned two.  And then it didn't have to be most of the day."  It had been about 5 minutes, 10 when she was a little older.
     Danny sighed and stood.  He looked at both girls.  "Look...I know I started late.  And, I skipped the short timeouts and went to punishing her more like you older girls.  But, you have to admit she's good now.  Remember when I slept through your science fair, Steph, and your play, Deej?"  They nodded.  Danny had been up half the night, because he'd cooked the cauliflower brain Stephanie created.  "What did Michelle do?  She stayed right in her room with me while I slept.  She played for hours there like the good girl she is.  Right, hon?"
     "Right," came Michelle's smiling face.  She was at the sink getting the taste out of her mouth.
     Danny paused a moment, gazing at his youngest.  "Look at that beautiful princess's smile.  It reminds me so much of your mom's."
     D.J. rubbed her chin.  "You think of Mom when you see her, don't you?"

     Danny agreed.  He turned to his girls.  "Look, I'll admit, if she's in her room for five or ten minutes when she's two, we might not have had some of her disobedience.  But some, we might have had anyway.  And, Steph, we don't need to be washing Michelle's mouth with soap just because she says a word a couple times.  I don't care how much better she was at handling younger kids.  I know your mom never did that."
     Stephanie reluctantly agreed.  She bit her lip and looked down, sighing.  She had been pretty harsh, now that she took time to think.  She felt badly that she hadn't given her more of a chance.  "I'm sorry, Dad."  She turned and apologized to Michelle, too.
     "Okay.  Next time, be careful.  Don't get carried away."  Danny changed the subject.  "Joey's going to be in charge for a couple days while I fly to L.A..  The TV station wants me to host some shows there."  He asked D.J. if she could watch Stephanie and Michelle for a couple hours over the next two afternoons.  Joey would be doing voices for a cartoon.  He was flying out Friday to do some comedy shows tht weekend.
     D.J. grinned.  "Sure.  I can handle that.  I'm going to the amusement park all day with Kimmy Friday, though."
     "I remember.  I'll fly back Friday morning.  And, Aunt Becky's returning early Friday, too."
     Stephanie smiled at her sister.  D.J. would be quicker to hold Michelle accountable.  Stephanie just wanted Michelle to behave and listen.  It wasn't because Stephanie wanted to be bossy.  She truly wanted Michelle to be good, a little sister she could be proud of.  And, she wanted her to see there would be consequences when she disobeyed.  Especially once she got to Kindergarten.

     The girls waved goodbye to Joey early Wednesday afternoon.  Michelle quickly tested D.J.'s limits by saying that bad word again.
     Stephanie called D.J. aside for a conference.  "We have to do something," she told her older sister.  "Any liver in the house?"  Stephanie had suggested making Michelle eat liver when she wouldn't stay in her room.  It looked and tasted disgusting.  However, Danny had nixed the idea.  He said Michelle might actually like it.
     The 14-year-old made a face.  "Neh.  Eating liver's almost as gross as soap."  She went over to Michelle.  She explained it was not nice to say that word, and why.  She finished with "and if you say that word again, you get no ice cream today.  Understood?"
     Michelle nodded.  "You got it, dude."
     "I hope you never call your teachers 'dude,'" D.J. declared.  Michelle gave her a pouty face.  "I mean it.  They won't like that at school.  When you agree, you should just say 'okay' or 'yes.'  Just like in preschool."
     "Way to go, D.J.," spoke Stephanie as she shook her older sister's hand.  She was glad D.J. wasn't falling for the pouting face Michelle was making.  Stephanie had invented that look, but Michelle seemed to do it better than her.
     "Steph, that's just the way Dad's told her."
     Stephanie smiled.  Michelle knew that she had to listen.  Stephanie just wanted to help Michelle think about what she was doing.
     Stepahnie recalled driving a car into the kitchen a year ago.  She knew she'd done something terrible right away, and felt really guilty about it.  Did Michelle understand remorse like she had?  Stephanie wished she could be sure.

     Thursday, Michelle walked downstairs.  "You don't have to wash your hands anymore."
     D.J. and Stephanie had been preparing dinner.  The oldest girl smiled.  "Michelle, you know Dad makes us wash our hands.  There's no way to stop that."
     "Yes there is," came the determined voice.  "I flushed the soap down the toilet."

     D.J. and Stephanie turned and glared.  "You did," asked D.J.  She rolled her eyes.  "Michelle, you might have broken the toilet.  We don't flush anything down there but toilet paper and...well, you know, number one and number two."
     "For a total of number three," came Stephanie's joke.  She wanted to lighten the mood, because she didn't like seeing Michelle - or anyone - in trouble.
     D.J. told her to grab a stool from Michelle's room while the teen grabbed the plunger.
     The girls walked upstairs.  D.J. told Michelle to sit on the stool and watch while D.J. tried to get the soap out.
     After a minute of sitting still, Michelle grew incredibly bored.  She shook her head and got up.  "This is nuts," she proclaimed.
     Stephanie raised her voice.  "Michelle Tanner, sit down."  Michelle still didn't sit.
     Not looking up from the toilet, D.J. reminded Stephanie not to be too harsh.
     Stephanie pointed at the stool and spoke lowly.  "I'm going to count to three, and you'd better be sitting there when I get to three."  She spoke the word "one" in a menacing voice.  Her voice boomed as Michelle shuddered slightly.  "Two!"
     As Stephanie said the word "three," the younger girl sat and watched.  Moments later, D.J. had rescued the bar of soap and let Michelle get up.
     Stephanie ran to get the phone.  It was Danny.  "Hey, Dad.  Everything's fine in the bathroom....I mean, yeah, why wouldn't everything be fine in the bathroom?  Uh, well, we just had a little problem, but D.J. solved it."
     Danny spoke nervously.  "What, what problem?  Should I come home now?"  D.J. picked up another phone.  "Deej, Steph said there was a problem in the bathroom."
     D.J. waved a hand.  "Oh, Michelle just tried to flush a bar of soap down the toilet.  I was able to get it out with a plunger, luckily it was just the right size."
     "Oh, great, Deej," he said proudly, breathing a sigh of relief.
     Michelle heard it was Dad, and picked up yet another phone.  "I love you, Daddy," she said sweetly.  "I'm sorry I did that."
     "I know, honey.  I love you, too.  You're still my little princess."
     "It was borrrrrrring," came the tired voice.
     Danny asked what was boring.  D.J. told him what she'd done with Michelle.  "Well...Deej, did you have to?  You could have just talked to her.  She didn't know any better."
     "Dad," D.J. informed him, "I'm sure that's just what Mom would have done."  And, both older girls could easily imagine Pam doing that, to ensure they understood the problem.
     "Oh."  He thought for a second.  Maybe D.J. was right.  "Well, I guess it wasn't that harsh.  Maybe not what I would have done, but..."
     He asked if Stephanie were still there.  She was, but Michelle wasn't.  Now would be a good time to admit this.  He wanted to make sure Stephanie knew that was enough.  He didn't want her thinking she had to be really harsh.  "Good.  You know, Steph, I don't know if I ever gave you that speech about how dads don't know everything, and they mess up sometimes."
     Stephanie paused to think.  The way he rambled, he probably had, even if she'd tuned it out.  Besides, she knew that without him telling her.  "You probably did, Dad."
     "Well, this is one of those times.  Showing her the result was good.  I just wasn't as involved with the discipline before Mom died.  I should have asked more questions when she was around.  But, now you know just something little is necessary, Steph.  She didn't even go to timeout, right?"  Stephanie agreed.  "Good, see?  Deej, I'm proud of you.  Keep up the good work."

     D.J. and Stephanie soon went back to fixing supper.  Michelle colored in a book in the kitchen.  "Steph," D.J. asked in a whisper, "what were you going to do if she didn't sit?"
     "I don't know, that's your department," she admitted.  Stephanie had scared Michelle into staying out of her stuff several times by pretending a "hairy, scary monster" would jump out at her when she got to three.  But, that didn't sound too parental.
     She realized it might be hard to be a parent.  After all, her dad didn't even know some things.  But, she would still try to help Michelle behave.  She'd taught her a lesson on how bad lying was by tricking her.  She'd done other things to help her learn.  She just needed to figure out what to do here.  As she often did, she'd been so excited she'd spoken - or, in this case, counted - before she was finished thinking.
     Whatever happened, she would much rather have things dealt with at home.  She'd never been sent to the principal's office.  But, it was a scary thought to her.  She didn't want Michelle having to face that.

     Stephanie and Michelle were dropped off early Friday afternoon.  "So long.  Thanks, Mrs. Taylor."  Stephanie's friend had a doctors' appointment.  Otherwise, Stephanie would have enjoyed playing there all day.  Michelle was usually well behaved, and she was there.
     She saw Michelle coming back in from the kitchen.  "There's a 'three' on the answering machine."  Their dad liked everyone to have lots of chores.  Even at four and a half, Michelle could do little ones like this.
     Stephanie raised her eyebrows and jogged into the kitchen.  "Whoa, baby.  Three messages in four hours?"
     The first was her Aunt Becky's.  She'd called right after Joey left.  "Hey, Danny, Joey, sorry I haven't had time to call.  Family emergency came up, my cousin Jane's in the hospital.  Between seeing her and helping watch her seven kids, I won't be in till Monday."  They heard a loud "oink."  "That's Arnold, he's really helped me a lot the last few days."
     The next message was Joey's.  He'd made it to the airport safely.  That was expected.
     The third message was from her dad.  Airplane problems had caused a long delay in his flight.  He'd be home before supper.  He would try to fly to Oakland, and the station would get him.
     "Well, Michelle," Stephanie muttered, "looks like we're home alone."
     Michelle grinned.  "Then I know just what to do."  She placed her hands on her cheeks, bulged her eyes, and screamed "Aaaauuuggghhh!!!".
     Stephanie shook her head.  "This is not the movie.  I have everything under control.  Now, find something good to do while I make some calls."
     Calls to several people proved fruitless.  All grandparents were out of town.  The Gibblers, of course, were at an amusement park.  Until they got to their car and D.J. got back, their dad would probably be home.
      Stephanie shrugged.  She played with her small ponytail, then turned to Comet.  "Terry the Talking Washcloth, remind me."  That was her dad's imaginary friend when little, plus the family code word when lost or home alone.  Anyone coming for them had to utter that phrase.
     Stephanie walked upstairs.  "Well, Michelle, I can't find a sitter.  So, what should we do fir-."  She looked strangely at Michelle, who was holding Steph and D.J.'s bedroom door shut.  "What are you doing?"
     "Let me wash my hands, then we can play."  Stephanie walked toward the door.  "Don't, it's a surprise."

     She shrugged.  If Michelle wanted to be a little silly, that was fine.  She could let her have some freedom, as long as she listened.  "Well, okay.  So, what do you want to do?"
     "Let's play a game of Candyland."  Stephanie was quite puzzled waiting in Michelle's room while she washed her hands.  What had that been on her hands, anyway?  "Michelle," she asked as Michelle walked into her room, "were you in D.J.'s makeup?"
     "I didn't put any makeup on yet," she answered.
     Thsi is a breeze, she thought to herself.  I caught her just in time.  "Well, don't.  Just remember, right now I am not your sister.  I am your babysitter.  You just play with me, and be good, and we won't have any problems."

     Thirty minutes later, they walked downstairs.  "We've got problems," Stephanie muttered to Comet, their Golden Retriever.  She asked Michelle if she was hungry.
     "I could eat something.  But, then I'll be bored again."
     Stephanie told Michelle to sit at the table.  She began making her a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, as Michelle wanted.  "You just need to give me time.  I'll think of something."
     Just then, the phone rang.  Michelle ran and picked it up.  "Hi, who is this?"  After a second, Michelle shook her head.  "No, you're supposed to say Terry..."
     "Give me that."  Stephanie grabbed the phone.  "Hello?  Oh, hi, Uncle Jesse."
     "Hey, Steph, what's goin' on," Jesse asked.
     Stephanie asked if he remember her dad's imaginary friend's name when he was little.  He did.  "Good.  Just a little test.  Dad's flight is late, things got messed up, and I'm Michelle's babysitter right now."  To Stephanie, this wasn't being home alone.  She had a fun job.  She actually had some responsibility.
     "Well, just be careful, and hang in there.  You did a good job with the phone.  So, Becky's not there, huh?  She was attending to a family crisis.  "Ah, just as well.  We'd talk way too long.  Anyway, keep her busy.  She'll be out of trouble then.  Don't worry.  She's a good kid."
     Stephanie agreed.  She generally was.  In fact, she would probably listen if Stephanie sat down now and had a nice, quiet talk about her attitude.  It was Michelle's only big problem.
     Stephanie walked into the living room.  "You ate that fast, you must have been hungry."
     Michelle suggested that they sing and dance.  This gave Stephanie an idea.  She began singing Elvis songs like Uncle Jesse would.  But, she sang them faster and faster.  She also did a really silly dance.  Michelle laughed hard while trying to copy.  Finally, Stephanie couldn't go any faster.  When Michelle insisted, she said "okay, Michelle.  I'll go even faster.  But listen real close."
     A second later, Stephanie said "there, did you hear that?"
     "I didn't hear anything," Michelle said.
     "You missed it.  I told you to pay attention," she stressed.  "I'll do it once more.  There, did you hear it now?"
     Michelle shook her head.  "This is nuts."
     "Pretty silly, huh?"  Stephanie sat beside Michelle on the couch.  She pulled out a video.  "Let's watch your fourth birthday party.  You were such a good girl.  I was proud of your attitude.  It's the kind you need to have."  If Michelle heard Stephanie praise an earlier time, maybe it would make her want to behave better now - and in Kindergarten.
     However, those plans were thwarted when half of a sandwich oozed out of the VCR.  "Michelle!" she screamed.
     "I was just saving it for later," she explained.

     Stephanie tried to conceal her anger.  "Michelle, you probably broke it.  You go up to your room right now and think about that."  She still thought she knew what she was doing.  She just needed to keep a closer watch on Michelle.
     "No way, Jose.  I want to be the boss now," Michelle said, hands on her hips.
     "Michelle, you know that you broke it.  You did something very wrong.  And..."  As Stephanie held up a finger, the phone rang.  "If that's Dad, you're dead meat," she declared.  "In fact, you'll be so dead you'll be a fossil!"
     Danny answered.  "Steph, I just landed in Oakland.  I'll stop at the office..."
     "Dad," Stephanie said in a louder voice.  "Michelle and I are the only ones here.  Will you please tell her she has to listen to me."
     "The only...you mean you...how did this happen?  Where's Aunt Becky?"
     "Her cousin's sick and she didn't have time to call before," Stephanie said hurriedly.  "She figured you or Joey would be here.  I sent Michelle to her room for putting a sandwich in the VCR, but she won't listen."  He hesitated.  Stephanie pleaded with him.  "Dad, please!"
     Danny sighed.  "Can I count on you not to act too bossy?"  He could.  "You remember where all the emergency numbers are?  The syrup of Ipecac?  The fire escape plan?"  She told him all of that.  "Okay, put Michelle on."  Stephanie called her to the phone.
     "I love you, Daddy," Michelle said in her extra sweet voice.  She blew him a kiss.
     "Awwww, you're so sweet," Danny said.  Stephanie rolled her eyes behind Michelle.
     "I'm sorry, Daddy," Michelle said in her pouty voice, followed by another "I love you."
     Stephanie grabbed the phone.  "Dad, Michelle has got to respect the rules.  Why should she in Kindergarten if she doesn't have to here?"
     "I agree, I'm not falling for that...I think.  She didn't know any better.  But, still...Put Michelle back on."  Danny tried hard to sound authoritative to his youngest.  "Look, honey...I'm going to have to take your dessert away for a few days for putting that in the VCR, too.  Now, this is a very weird day, sweetheart.  Right now Stephanie's the oldest one there.  She's the boss, she's your babysitter.  You behave for her.  Do what she says.  I'll be there in a bit."
     "But Daddeeee, I didn't mean to break the VCR."
     "I know, honey, but you have to listen to her," Danny said firmly.  Michelle said "okay."
     Stephanie took the phone and thanked him.
     "Steph, good job.  Not too long, okay."
     "Ten minutes, Dad, I promise.  That's all I'll make her stay."
     Stephanie thanked him and hung up.  "Michelle, you need to think about what you did wrong.  You knew none of us ever put sandwiches in there.  You go think about how you broke it.  I'm setting the timer, and when the bell rings I'll come up and talk with you."  Michelle obeyed.
     Stephanie set the timer for ten minutes.  She had no clue herself what to do.  But, she knew several moms who used the timer like that, even if her dad didn't.  That way, Michelle couldn't argue with her on when to come out.  She began to clean the mess as best she could.  Still, the timer had gone off faster than she could believe.  Oh, well, she told herself, I guess I'm not doing to badly.  I just hope this is my only test.
     She found Michelle slouched on her bed.  She sat beside he and rubbed her back.  "Before your punishment is over, now is a good time to talk."
     "About what?"

     "About your attitude.  You obeyed right away when Daddy said to.  That was good."  How would Stephanie put the rest?  Did Michelle not feel remorse at first, or was she just testing Stephanie?  "Michelle, D.J.'s right.  You shouldn't call your teachers "dude", "Jose" or anything but their names.  You also need to listen when someone tells you to do something, like I did.  You have had a worse and worse attitude since you got to go to Kindergarten.  You haven't obeyed quite as well as you could.  But, you've also been a little too bossy.  Do you understand why I'm the boss now?"
     "Yes."  Michelle nodded.  "Daddy says you're my babysitter."
     "Right.  And I can just see part of the money for a new bike after today," she joked.  She wished she could make sure Michelle understood it was also because Stephanie was enforcing rules about right and wrong.  But, it was harder for her to put that into words than she thought.
     After some more talking, Stephanie told Michelle her punishment was over.  "Let's go see what my surprise is," she began as she walked into her room, with Michelle following.
     She gasped in horror.  Michelle had been finger painting with D.J.'s makeup.  She'd made a big mess.  "Michelle, look at this.  D.J.'s gonna have a cow."
     "I thought Aunt Becky said she felt like she was having a cow."
     Stephanie groaned.  "You're right.  D.J.'s gonna have an elephant.  You need to help me clean this up right now," Stephanie declared.  "Get some towels from the bathroom while I grab some supplies from the kitchen."
     "But, I think the picture on her dresser looks pretty."
     Stephanie rolled her eyes.  "That's not the point.  You knew you were not to do that.  You go back into your room and think about this huge mess that you'll have to help clean up.  Stay there while I get some cleaning supplies."
     Stephanie went downstairs.  Her dad had lots of cleaning supplies.  Maybe he loved to clean so much, he just hadn't minded other messes.
     She was upset at Michelle's attitude, but as she thought about it, she supposed she shouldn't have been too angry.  She wanted Michelle to go right away, without questioning her.  But, she knew even she wasn't perfect.  She realized Michelle shouldn't be expected to obey perfectly right away.  Human nature prevented anyone from doing that.
     Regardless, Michelle was getting that "I'm a really big Kindergartener" attitude some kids got at that age.  It wasn't nearly as bad as it had been right before her first punishment.  But, Stephanie didn't want Michelle's attitude getting that bad.  Not with school only a few weeks away.
     Stephanie heard footsteps as she carried supplies.  She put them on the floor by the closet and leaned against the door.  Michelle snuck downstairs.  She'd found something new and interesting to test - her sister's counting.  How fast could she make Stephanie count now?  "Hi, Stephanie."
     Stephanie stood upright.  "Did you come to say you were sorry for your bad attitude?"  She was upset.  Still, she wanted to give her sister the benefit of the doubt.  She hadn't come out of a punishment on her own since her first one last fall.
     "Mmmm, ask me a better question," she spoke guiltily.
     It was obvious that she hadn't.  Stephanie pointed upstairs.  "Listen, you get into your room.  I don't want to have to threaten to make you eat liver."  Especially since there was now no liver in the house.  But, she couldn't think of what else to say.  True, she hadn't set a definite time.  But, she also said till she came back.  Michelle didn't have to listen for a timer.
     "Catch me."  Michelle shrieked and giggled as Stephanie chased her upstairs.  She chased Michelle into the room Steph and D.J. shared.  She formed half fists and growled as Michelle laughingly tried to crawl under Stephanie's bed.

     "Hey," Michelle called as she was pulled out.  "When you catch me you're supposed to tickle me like crazy," she remarked as she was led to her own room.
     Stephanie spoke bluntly.   "That's only when you're not being punished."  Stephanie groaned as they got into Michelle room.  She'd wanted her dad to be harder on Michelle last year.  Now, suddenly, here she was talking about punishing her herself.  She gazed at the ceiling.  "What am I doing," she murmured.
     Stephanie forced herself to be calm.  Michelle was five years younger.  It was hard to remember that she wasn't as mature as a nine-year-old.  Stephanie glared and spoke.  "Michelle, you were supposed to stay here.  Do you want to sit and look at the wall instead?"
     "Duh.  I'm a big girl.  I don't have to look at the wall," Michelle boasted.
     "Big girls do not say 'duh' to other people.  They also do not leave their room without permission when being punished," Stephanie exclaimed.  "I should read you the riot act."  She paused.  "And if that doesn't work, I'll throw the book at you."
     Michelle said in her poutiest voice "I'm sorry, Stephanie."
     Stephanie pulled a chair over to the wall.  "Michelle, you were rude when I was correcting you.  You also wanted to play instead of staying in your room.  So, now you have to look at the wall for punishment."  Stephanie decided her dad was right.  Michelle would have tested the limit even if he'd been using timeout when she was still a toddler.
     Michelle got into her chair.  But, she gave an ornery grin.  She wanted to play with Stephanie. She peeked at Stephanie out of the corner of her eye.  She disliked the angry glare.  So, Michelle closed her eyes and got up. "I want to see you count again," came the honest statement.
     "I'm warning you," came the low, threatening voice.  "You better sit down!  One."
     Michelle wouldn't have dared do this to her dad.  She knew if he had to he'd hold her down until she settled.  But, she wanted to see what Stephanie would do.  She usually warned her a hairy, scary monster would pop out even before she started counting.
     Stephanie's voice became louder.  "Two!"
     She was getting a little curious now.  "What if I don't sit when you reach three?"
     Stephanie rubbed her chin.  Was she serious, or was she daring Stephanie?  Whichever it was, she needed to think of something besides a hairy, scary monster.
     With an elbow resting on her hand, she thought out loud.  "Well, you're too young to drive, so I can't take your car keys.  Dad says you're too young to be grounded and kept inside for days, that's why he puts you in your room.  I'd probably say no TV for a few days.  Or maybe no dessert.  Of course what I'm tempted to say..."  She trailed off, lowering and shaking her head.  It was just like the soap.  This would never happen at their house.  How could she even think it?  She couldn't do it.
     Michelle opened her eyes.  "What are you tempted to say?"
     Stephanie sighed.  Her mouth had gotten ahead of her thoughts once more.  Or, maybe she was worried about school.  A place where Michelle wouldn't be treated with the mercy shown at home if she acted bossy or impudent.
     Regardless, while she'd stopped a little of her threat, she soon rambled some more.  "No, I can't.  I thought for a second about a smack on the tush.  But, I can't hurt you like that.  We'd never hear a 'smack' in this house.  Now, something light, like 'fwap,' I don't think 'fwap' would hurt your fanny.  So while I'd never give you a 'smack,' I might give you a 'fwap'."
     "What's a 'fwap,'" Michelle wanted to know.

     How would Stephanie describe it?  She'd never gotten one.  But, she could guess.  "You know the feeling when Comet's wagging his tail, and he hits you with it?"  Michelle nodded.  "I think that's a fwap."  She finished counting.  "Okay, three."
     Michelle flashed her cutest, "I'm a big, sweet, adorable Kindergartener" smile.  She kissed Stephanie on the cheek and hugged her.  "I love you, Stephanie."
     Stephanie didn't really want to hurt Michelle - even in her feelings.  But, she wasn't sure what to do.  "Michelle, I love you, too.  You stay right here in your room while I decide what to do with you.  And you'd better stay.  Because you'll be in big trouble if you don't.  And your punishment will depend on your behavior and attitude.  Pouting or sweet talk might work with some people.  But never works with Stephanie Tanner!"  She marched out of the door and shut it hard.  A tear welled up in her eye.  "Yeah, right," she muttered.  She couldn't believe she was talking about punishing Michelle at all.
     "Comet," she said as the dog met her on the stairs.  "Do I have any gray hairs yet?  If not, I will when this is over."
     Stephanie grumbled as she walked downstairs.  A big frown grew on Stephanie's face, and she gazed downward.  She couldn't fwap Michelle.  How could Stephanie let anyone get hurt, even in their feelings?  She knew some parents hit, but did it mildly.  But, she didn't have the heart to even do that.
     On top of that, Michelle likely felt remorse.  But, what if she didn't?  If Michelle showed no remorse now, would it be better to do it here than watch her get sent to the principal's office enough times that it happened at school?  And, how did she know how Michelle felt, anyway?  She sat on the couch, and rested her head in her hands.
     "It's hard to be a Dad," she mourned to Comet, petting him as he walked up to her.  The dog laid a compassionate head on her lap.  "Macaulay Culkin had it made.  He wasn't home alone with a little sister."  She hugged the dog.
     She gazed solemnly at a picture of Pam.  She began to miss her quite a bit.  She sorely wished to be able to talk to her.  She brushed away a small tear.  "What would Mom have done?"
     She picked up the phone.  She called the amusement park and asked them to page D.J..  Moments later, she heard a frantic voice.  "Stephanie, this had better be a national emergency.  I just met the cutest guy, and he wants to go on the 'Scream Machine' with me."
     "Deej, look.  Dad's flight is late.  Aunt Becky couldn't make it.  I couldn't find a sitter, I'm alone with Michelle, and you know that superstrong will?  Well, you got any Kryptonite?"  She explained exactly what Michelle had done.
     D.J. spoke warmly.  "Oh, bummer.  Usually when you get into a mess, it's your fault.  Now you're in one of your biggest and you had nothing to do with it."
     Stephanie managed to chuckle a little.  "Well, part of it's my mess.  You see, Deej, I sort of threatened, just a little, to...well, kind of fwap Michelle."
     "Steph...if that's what it sounds like, all I can say is, how rude!"  D.J. turned to Kimmy.  "I always wanted to say that to Stephanie."
     Stephanie could tell D.J. was upset.  She supposed she should be.  Still, she tried to get out of it.  "Well, not really.  I mean, she just asked what I would do if she didn't sit when I got to three, and I said what I knew I'd never do, then I said what I might do, and..."  She lowered her head and spoke sadly.  She might as well admit it, she decided.  "Well...yeah, sort of.  But I would never hurt Michelle."

     D.J. thought for a second.  "Steph, I had a challenge a few weeks ago.  Aaron, Michelle's friend?  His mom told me I could give him a smack on the tush if I absolutely had to.  I asked Dad his advice.  And do you know what he said?  He has never considered hitting any of us.  Not even gently.  And, he feels confident that he'll never have to.  And I didn't have to, either.  Because Aaron and I talked about his behavior, and I was able to head things off."
     "But, it wasn't going to be a real hit," Stephanie emphasized.  "It wouldn't have hurt her."
     "I know you could never hurt Michelle.  But, she probably thinks it will hurt.  And it would hurt - in her feelings."
     Stephanie's shoulders slumped.  She sighed and agreed as she mindlessly played with the phone cord.  She wouldn't like it at all herself.  Even if she knew it wouldn't hurt her body, she would be scared.  "Deej, it's okay."  She knew their dad would never hit.  She didn't need anyone to tell her that.  "I know Dad wouldn't do anything to hurt us.  In fact, I wouldn't want anyone to hurt Michelle."  She was mad at her.  But, words could hurt enough as it was.
     Still, one thing gnawed at her.  "But, what about when she gets to school?  What if she gets sent to the principal and goes 'duh' to her like she did to me just now?"
     "Dad said we shouldn't scare Michelle.  That's a decision for Dad."  D.J. chuckled.  "Of course, I can see him turning to me and asking what Mom would do.  But she might be learning her lesson now.  You need to go up there and tell her you're sorry.  Because you've seemed pretty upset with her.  So, she might well be scared of you."
     Stephanie frowned.  Even that threat of a monster was all in fun.  It didn't make Michelle scared of Stephanie.  But, this could.  "Okay.  I don't want anyone to be scared of me."  She gazed at Comet as she hung up.  "Forget my new bike.  I'm earning enough for a shiny new Corvette today."
     As she trudged up the steps, she felt badly for Michelle.  Stephanie had always felt badly about her misbehavior.  She'd even thought she deserved to be punished when her Uncle Jesse broke his arms.  And, that hadn't even been her fault.  Did Michelle understand remorse, trhough?
     She fretted as she entered Michelle's room.  Michelle sadly uttered "I'm sorry."  As she stared, she remembered she had to tell Michelle she loved her, like D.J. had said.
     Stephanie tried to tell if there were signs of remorse, or if Michelle was just giving her the pouty face Stephanie taught her.  She breathed deeply, and walked over to Michelle.  "Michelle, first, I want you to know I love you very, very much.  Nothing you do could make me stop loving you.  But, you know you are to just sit and look at the wall the whole time when you are sent.  You know you are supposed to listen, and respect others."
     Michelle hung her head in shame.  She knew Stephanie wasn't playing.  "I'm a bad girl."
     "Yes, you are."  Stephanie was relieved - Michelle wasn't faking it this time.  She'd hardly ever had to sit in a corner as punishment - just once at home, and a couple times at preschool.  So, she wasn't used to it like she was to being in her room.  But, Michelle knew she'd done something wrong getting out.
     Stephanie was thankful she didn't have to think about what to do next.  She supposed she would have just sat with Michelle on her lap and forced her to look at the wall, or something.  How did their dad ever keep calm at times like this?
     "Okay," Michelle muttered, tears welling up in her eyes.  "Go ahead."  She began sniffling and trembling a little.
     It took Stephanie a moment to realize what Michelle meant.  As her younger sister sniffled, a lump formed in Stephanie's throat.  She felt like she was going to cry, too.  "I don't want to hurt you," she said, frowning greatly.  Stephanie hugged her, sniffling.  After a moment, Stephanie let go, and took Michelle by the hand.  She led Michelle over to her bed.  "Come here, Michelle."

     Stephanie felt so badly for Michelle.  D.J. was right; she probably felt bad long before this.  "I won't hurt you.  I'm showing you mercy becasue I love you."  Michelle sat on her bed.  Stephanie stood in front of her.  "But, you know you are very lucky."
     She knew her dad had said not to scare Michelle.  But, she needed to say this.  It wasn't just so Michelle could practice a good attitude; Stephanie needed to explain why she'd acted the way she had.  She hoped then, Michelle wouldn't be scared of her anymore.
     "Michelle," Stephanie said, "I'm sorry I've been upset with you.  But, I'm trying to help you.  You need a good attitude.  You need to show respect for the rules and for people.  Because you're going to Kindergarten in a few weeks.  And you can't have a bad attitude in school.  Like when you said 'duh' when I was trying to correct you."
     Danny peeked his head into the door, unnoticed by the girls.
     "I didn't mean to," Michelle said.
     Stephanie didn't know if this was genuine.  But, she let it slide.  "Maybe not.  But you need to practice being good.  It's not like preschool, where they try timeout and if you're bad enough they send you home.  In Kindergarten, you could get sent to the principal's office.  And I don't want you to go there."
     Michelle was curious.  "What happens there?"
     "Well, the principal could make you sit with your head down on a table for timeout.  She'll make you stay after school.  So you can't play for as long.  When you get older, she'll make you write an apology to the teacher or whoever you were nasty to."
     "I could do that," Michelle said.
     Stephanie could see why her dad hated to mention it.  It wasn't a pleasant thought.  "Michelle, if you don't get a good attitude then..."  She took the piggy Michelle had been holding in the corner.  She grabbed a ruler from Michelle's desk.  "I know a couple kids who have been sent a lot.  And, if you don't shape up after a few times, she'll do this."  She hit the pig on its bottom.  Michelle's mouth flew open.  "Michelle, I would never hurt your body.  But that would."
     Michelle shook her head and cringed.  "I don't wanna go to Kindergarten then."
     Stephanie put the objects down and sat beside her.  "Michelle, you won't get sent every time."  She snickered.  "I got in trouble a lot for talking in class when I was younger; you know what a chatterbox I am.  And I've never been sent to the principal's office once."
     "Really?"  She seemed a lot happier.
     "Really.  Because you know what?  When a teacher would tell me to be quiet, I obeyed.  When I stayed after school with my head down for calling a kid Duckface and stuff, I didn't like it at first.  I thought it was unfair.  But I never questioned them and never talked back."
     "So I can talk all I want till they say no," Michelle guessed.
     Stephanie laughed.  Where did little sisters get their ideas?  "No, Michelle.  It's against the rules. But, if someone says to do something like sit in the corner or do extra homoework, and you think it's unfair, you should not question them at school.  There are things you can't say.  It's saying those things, that attitude, that gets you in trouble with the principal."
     "Like what?"
     "Like when you call people dude, or say 'No way, Jose.'  At school you only call people by their names, or say Sir or Ma'am.  And when you said 'duh' to me?  That is very rude.  You never say that at school, do you understand?" she said in a slightly scolding voice.
     "But Daddy doesn't mind," Michelle explained.  "I'm his little princess."

     Stephanie surprised Michelle by glaring at her.  "It's still rude.  Daddy and the rest of us love you very much.  So we put up with that.  They won't put up with it there.  So practice not saying it here.  Because, you never say that at school, understand?"
     Michelle nodded slowly.  "Okay," she muttered.
     She hugged Michelle and closed her eyes.  She was glad they'd talked.  Now, she wanted some pleasant memories of her time as a babysitter.  How much longer did she have, anyway?
     Danny hugged both of them.  "Hi, sweethearts."  Both jumped into his arms as he sat on the bed.  "Steph...I just had to listen in for a while..."
     Stepahnie was crestfallen.  Had he heard about her threat.  "How much did you hear?"
     "From when you started talking about the principal's office."  He seemed unsure of how to continue.  "We need Michelle to realize her teachers love her.  But, you're right, they wouldn't show as much mercy as I do.  I don't like to scare her.  But...I guess it's like when D.J. showed Michelle what would happen if she got hit by a car.  So, she dropped a brick on a banana when Michelle was two.  That worked out okay.  I only wish she'd done it outside, not on the kitchen table, so it wouldn't have made such a mess."
     Mivchelle looked hopefully at Danny.  "The principal won't fwap me right away, right?"
     Danny smiled warmly at her.  "Honey, that's only after you've been sent a lot.  And, Steph's right.  You won't get sent every time you do something wrong.  Most of the time, the teacher will handle things just like at preschool.  And I've always gotten good behavior reports on you there.  You've never done anything there where you would be sent to the principal."
     Michelle gazed somberly at him.  "Do I still have to sit in the corner?"
     Stephanie felt Danny's questioning look.  "She sat for a second, then got up to test me.  I counted, and she still wouldn't sit.  That's why we had this talk."
     Danny took Michelle's piggy and gave it to her.  "Yes, you do, sweetheart.  You think about all she said."  Stephanie thanked him as she led him to the mess around D.J.'s bed and dresser.  "Normally I would say the talk was enough.  She's going to test a new rule like that counting, just to see what happens.  But, we'll keep her there a couple minutes.  Just because I have a duty as a parent - to respect rules teachers and others have for you that aren't overly unfair."
     Stephanie was excited.  He must have thought she'd been a great sitter.  "So do I get my new car now?"
     Danny put an arm around her.  "I don't know about a new car.  But, you'll definitely have a nice bonus in your allowance.  I can't remember when I've been prouder of you."
     Stephanie didn't feel deserving of that much praise.  Not after what D.J. had said.  "Dad, I really messed up letting her make these messes.  Plus...well, she asked me what I'd do if she didn't sit.  And, I said I might - just might - give her a really tiny fwap on her tush.  But I was sorry right away, and I told her.  And I would never really do that."
     Danny looked quite pensive.  "Well...you had a tough job.  No nine-year-old is capable of babysitting.  It's really stressful, working with kids when you're all alone.  Especially when they're in a testing mood like Michelle was.  Since you were genuinely sorry right away, we'll just forget it - this time.  But don't ever threaten it again.  I think you're mature enough to hear this.  Idon't let people watch you girls who would hit."
     "Believe me, I won't."
     "I know.  You know, Steph, when I looked in here just now..."
     Stephanie held up a hand.  She spoke wearily.  "Don't tell me.  She reminded you of Mom."
     "No, that isn't what I was going to say," Danny said insistently.  "I thought you did."
     Stephanie was stunned.  "I reminded you of Mom?"

     Danny grinned broadly and hugged her.  "I wasn't really involved.  But I heard enough to know how Mom talked with you kids.  Steph, you don't remember much about her.  But, you have a lot more of her - her love, her firmness, her communication skills - than you realize."
     "Gee, thanks."  Stephanie was elated.
     Danny said that was one reason why he was letting that threat slide.  "Steph, you did as well as any nine-year-old could be asked to do.  I saw today you wouldn't have hurt Michelle.  I just want you to understand the word would hurt so much, it could be done gently as a last resort and that would be enough.  I've never considered doing it yet, though."
     Danny spoke of Michelle.  "It's hard for her to stay in a corner.  From now on, punishment will be in her room till she's old enough to be grounded.  And I'll stand at the door if I have to."
     "Thanks, Dad."  She stood for a second after they embraced again.  "Aren't you going to get Michelle out of her corner, so she can help clean this mess?"
     "Well, you've had to do some hard things today.  I thought you might like the honors of doing something fun."
     Stephanie grinned broadly as she walked with Danny back to Michelle's room.  Danny told Michelle Stephanie had something to say before her job ended.  She looked into Michelle's eyes as Danny turned her chair around.  "Michelle, are you going to be a good girl?"  She nodded.  "What are you supposed to do?"
     "Talk nice and obey the rules."
     "That's right.  No matter who's making them.  Okay, Michelle.  Your punishment is over."  Michelle threw down her pig and got up to play.  Stephanie embraced her first instead.  She was excited to be able to do something happy while babysitting.
     "And so, Stephanie Tanner's first unofficial babysitting job comes to an end," Danny remarked as he embraced the sisters.
     "Are you back to being my sister again?"  Stephanie laughed and nodded.  "So now you're in charge again, Daddy?"
     "Yes.  And you're going to clean up that mess with me like a good girl, right?"
     Michelle nodded quickly.  "You got it, d-..."  She clasped a hand over her mouth for an instant.  "I mean, yes, Daddy."
     He kissed her.  "You can still say that around here a little.  But, you know you have to obey us, and be respectful, right?"
     Michelle nodded.  "I'm going to practice so I can be very good in school."
     "Okay."  Danny promised to help Michelle clean.
     Stephanie smiled.  Michelle didn't seem afraid anymore.  She would hopefully think about the need to have a good attitude.  So, that should help alleviate her problem.  She put an arm around her and grinned broadly.  This was the Michelle she loved to see.  The one who knew how to behave, and who did so.
     Danny assured Michelle that the principal, Mrs. Caruthers, was a very nice lady.  "Lots of the kids like to hug her, in fact.  You won't have any problems."
     He then addressed all of them.  "Maybe I did skip the small timeout phase  But the important thing is, I know you girls are all very good.  You listen when I talk about right and wrong, and you generally obey.  I'm sure one day, you are all going to grow into fine, considerate, and compassionate young ladies."