Terrified, the five year old held tight to his fathers hand, where normally he would have pried to get it free and show his stout independence. "Don't worry, I'll be here." Said the father, almost hating that this had to happen but knowing that it did. "Okay.....Dad? what do they send kids to jail for?"
a little supressed giggle from the father was there to hide the little breaking of his heart. "Not forgetting to pay for batteries, that's for sure. Don't worry Connor, people make mistakes, they will understand".(And if they don't understand, they will most assuredly die horrible deaths.)
"mrsmdnfnfmdmdfnsndnmdnfmdnbatteries sorry"he said to the back side of the returns clerk. "Connor, sorry, but you have to be sure he is listening first".
The Clerk looked down. Thank God! He had more personality than a steel rusted post. He smiled brightly and squated to the boys level. Far enough back that he wasn't any more threatening than any other adult is to any other five year old.
"Try again" Dad encouraged.
*sigh* "I'm sorry I forgot to pay for these c size batteries becuase I got so excited".
For one five year old, time stopped. For the rest of us, there was not the slightest pause..
"That's okay," (and he sounded like he meant it.)"Thank you very much for your honesty"!
Receipt in hand, father and son walked together out to get a smoothie. Hands still clasped tight, now in brotherhood
The weight was lifted.
Posted by cmckeithan at April 27, 2004 09:52 PM