kiwords

We were driving somewhere, off on one of our many errands today. As we pulled out of the driveway, Raphael discovered a pack of gum on the seat next to him.

“Can I have a piece?” he asked, waving the gum at me. “Can I have TWO PIECES?”

“Sure, honey.” But just as I spoke Max piped up.

“Mama? Where are we going?”
”To the bank, then Wal-Mart.”

“MAMA!” Raphael cried, “CAN I have TWO PIECES?”

“Yes!” But again my answer was drowned out, this time by Tre’s comment.

“We should go to Wal-Mart first, you know. You have to drive right past it to go to the bank.”

“Tre, we already talked about this. We’re going to the bank first.”

“MAMA! CAN I HAVE TWO PIECES? PLEASE?”

“YES!”

This time it was a scuffle between Tre and Max that made my answer pass by unheard. I was barking out…um…loving suggestions for alternate methods of communicating when an anguished cry came from Raphael.

“MAMAMAMAMAMAMAMA! CAN I HAVE TWO PIECES?”

“YES YOU CAN HAVE TWO PIECES! YOU CHILDREN ARE DRIVING ME NUTS!”

There was a moment of silence, then Tre spoke up.

“Hey, Mom? Can Raphael have two pieces of gum?”

Everyone laughed and I waved a hand at them in mock anger.

“That’s IT. I’ve had it with you ALL. I am eating your livers! Sautéed in butter! And I don’t even LIKE liver.”

“Oh come on, Mama,” laughed Max, “you haven’t even tried it.”