Raised Them Well, Raised Them Hard
I remember raising the three of them. It was the hardest thing I ever did. Amelda would bicker with Varon and Raphael would fascinate himself with all manner of strange objects. Like an elephant. Yes, he tried to bring an elephant home after one of his tasks. Amelda and Varon were too busy fighting over a shiny rock to notice. It was so cute, this boy was carrying a baby elephant past his two comrades and they didn't notice. Everything was fine until food started going missing. I recall that he had blamed Amelda for it. Of course Amelda stealing food made sense; he would never eat like we did. But knowing Amelda he wouldn't have gotten caught. Therefore it was either Varon or Raphael. Varon never needed to steal food because if he wanted more he would eat Amelda's. Therefore, it was Raphael. It occurred to me that the other two might know of why Raphael was stealing food. I separated them so I could talk with them because I really did not want to listen to six and a half hours listening to them fight. Amelda merely pouted and no matter how many offers of candy he remained silent. After holding out some peanut butter he finally cracked. And replied with I don't know he doesn't like me. I thought nothing of that, big mistake. After confronting Varon and telling him that I would give him a pixy stick he screamed something to the equivalent of Raphael's got an elephant. I look around Raphael's room to see an elephant. How did I miss that? Naturally, like any good father should do, I asked Raphael about it. He said that he wanted a pet. I suggested that I buy him a cat or perhaps some fish. We ended up keeping that elephant. I still have it.
I was in such a shock when their teen years came about. I would flip about the slightest of things. Maybe I didn't want them to grow up. I distinctly remember sending Amelda and Varon to their rooms over the two of them fighting over sports bras. Apparently Amelda had bought one and was wearing it like it was an acceptable piece of clothing. Because certainly all young men wear sports bras. Things really got out of hand when Varon insisted that it made him look like a stripper. Raphael tried to break it up and ended being thrown down the stairs. Another ridiculous fight revolved around Raphael piercing his ears. It ended with Raphael's only excuse being you've got them. I really could not argue with that logic. Varon himself put everyone in a frenzy by bringing that Mai woman here. Amelda would not talk to him for days. In hindsight I really should not have hired her. I'm not saying she is a bad influence on my boys but she's a bad influence on my boys.
And now I look through the window to see Amelda trying to keep hold of a spoon. Raphael is giving Mai and Varon the death glare and Varon is telling Mai that she's wearing Amelda's gloves. I really miss my boys. I like to think that I was like a father to them. And though they may not think that way about me, I feel like they are my sons. It's sad to see them like this. Pretending nothing's wrong. And so a brilliant idea pops into my brain. I will go in and talk to them. Make them work out their problems. And so I gather my bearings and take a deep breath. I walk in.