15 minute "boxing day"
17 minutes
383 words
2 brothers
1 misunderstanding
Margaret Eppes carried her cup of coffee into the living room, stopping to turn on the Christmas tree lights before she curled up on the couch. Setting her cup on the coffee table, she picked up her novel. Alan was at work, and the two boys were still sleeping. Don and Charlie had overdoseded on candy and gifts yesterday. She didn't expect to see them until at least noon. She chuckled at the thought of two Jewish boys believing in Santa Claus. Donnie was nine, and she knew it was time they told him that Santa wasn't real, but she didn't have the heart...
The sound of scuffling feet upstairs interrupted her reverie. Judging from the location, it was Charlie. She held her breath, hoping it was just a quick bathroom trip. She loved her four year old dearly, but she had been looking forward to the peace and quiet of the day after Christmas.
The footsteps moved into Donnie's room and Margaret breathed a sigh of relief.
A few minutes later, the scuffling compounded, this time coming from Donnie's room. She wondered what they were up to, but she didn't wonder enough to get up and check. There was no screaming, no yelling, so everything was...
"Owwwww! Mommyyyyyyy!"
Margaret sighed and stood, wrapping her robe around her and tying the belt. When she was halfway up the stairs, Charlie appeared at the top of the steps. "Mo-om! Donnie hit me!" Sure enough, blood dripped from his nose.
She swept Charlie up in her arms and carried him to the bathroom. "Donnie! Get out here NOW!"
Donnie opened his door.
Margaret beckoned him into the bathroom. "Get in here and tell me what is going on. Why did you hit your brother?"
Donnie stepped into the bathroom, his face a blend of dread and defiance. "I had to, Mommy."
"You had to? Donnie, you did not have to hit a four year old and give him a bloody nose."
Donnie held up his hands, encased in the mittens his aunt had knitted for him. Charlie had stopped crying and solemnly held up his own hands. He was also wearing his new mittens. "We had to, Mommy. Donnie was readin' his calendar, and today is Boxing Day."