Dad Daze

Dad Daze

Dad walked into a screaming match between his two sons, Jack and Andy.

“You did too!”

“You’re imagining things, Squirt!”

“Do you have any proof? Because I think you did it!”

“Right, like I’d do it!”

“What is going on in here!” Dad asked in his most serious voice.

Both boys froze. Having been their father for a while, he suddenly knew that whatever was done was absolutely against house rules. And also, that both boys took part in at least some of it, and some piece, has put them in danger of getting caught.

“Nothing…” Jack, his ten-year-old said.

“Yeah nothing!” eight-year-old Andy added, enthusiastically enough, that Jack cringed and pinched him to shut him up.

“Hey!” he yelled. But then, after seeing the look on Jack’s face, he shut up and looked at Dad with such a suddenly innocent face that Dad almost laughed, but caught himself in time.

“I’m waiting,” he said, using his most serious look.

“Um,” Jack said, “we seem to have lost Andy’s ball.”

“His new ball?” Dad asked, ‘because, isn’t that it over there in the corner?”

Both boys looked. “Yes!” yelled Andy, running over. Jack just stood watching.

Dad quickly accessed the situation. If he pushed them, he may find out the truth, and be sorry, because he would likely need to punish them. On the other hand, if he pretends this is true, they may change the plan and stay out of trouble. He decided to go with the second choice. He knew from experience that learning to change your mind when you’re in a pickle is actually good, especially for young boys.

“Well, next time you lose something don’t be so loud!” he said, and walked away.

It turned out to be a very good day at the Buckley’s house.