Blue Kid walked through the back door smiling, carrying a huge box.
"What's that?"
"UPS must've brought it. It's from Jenny! I'm not little anymore. Can I open it?"
"What wrong with your nose?"
"Eh. I accidentally hit Emily's forehead with my nose and I think I broke it."
"What?! Let me see!"
"Look, it's swollen and bruised and when I did it, it bled like crazy." He cupped his hands and held them up to show me. "The blood filled my hands! Can I open the present? I'm not little anymore!"
"Let me see your nose and no, you can't open the present."
"But, I'm not little anymore!"
"Your reasoning is flawed! I used to let you open Jenny's presents early so they wouldn't get mixed up with all the regular presents -- so you would know what she sent you."
"Mom! Look at my nose! I had the worst day ever! I need to open a present."
"Good one. No, no and again...no. If you're not little anymore, you can wait 'til Christmas morning!"
"Mom! I've had the worst day of my life!"
"No!"
"C'mon, Mom!"
Laughing, I said, "All right. Let's call Jenny and see what her opinion of this situation is!"
"Call her. She'll be on my side!"
"Don't count on it, Buster! She knows your type!"
Jenny answered the phone and I explained the situation, then handed the phone to Blue Kid.
Blue Kid said in his most low and pitiful voice, "I've had the worst day of my life. I headbutted my girlfriend and broke my nose. Yeah, yeah. It was an accident. And now all I need is to open this present and my mom won't let me."
They talked for a few minutes about BK's worst day ever and then hung up.
Blue Kid got to open the present.
Damn -- one of the greatest things about being a kid is that you can have a day like that and it actually can be your worst day ever. Savor it, Blue Kid.
Posted by: Dan Leo | December 17, 2008 at 10:43 AM
And, it never hurts that getting to open a present early can actually turn that day around.
Posted by: Jennifer | December 17, 2008 at 10:50 AM
I love this post. I just love it!
Hope BK is feeling better.
Posted by: Adorable Girlfriend | December 17, 2008 at 11:08 AM
Now that my dear is precious....
Posted by: yaya | December 17, 2008 at 01:05 PM
I love that opening one present will totally alleviate the worst day ever. Oh to be in Blue Kid's shoes. Well, without the possible broken nose.
Hope he's feeling better.
Posted by: Shayera | December 17, 2008 at 01:12 PM
Wonder what Jenny sent him.
Posted by: Kathleen Maher | December 17, 2008 at 03:49 PM
did Jenny send him an ice pack?
Posted by: Kathleen in Oakland | December 17, 2008 at 05:13 PM
If that's the worst day of his life, you're doing a good job of parenting.
Posted by: Snag | December 17, 2008 at 11:08 PM
There's just nothing like a present just for you to bring a smile back to your face. Your Bk is a darling. I'm glad he got to open the present, too. And how's his poor dose?
Posted by: Wren | December 18, 2008 at 01:40 PM
I'm appalled. Shocked. Befuddled.
Because BK got his beak pounded he gets special treatment? He should be thankful that good ol' Nicho wasn't there to say, "Sorry you had a bad day. Gifts are for Christmas. How about a cup of cocoa? I'll even spring for mini marshmallows."
Heartless? Cruel? That's part of my job description as "Dad".
Posted by: Nicho | December 18, 2008 at 04:01 PM
I'd say BK is gonna grow up to be quite the ladies man. He sure worked you and Jenny, Blue Girl.
Merry Christmas,
Scribbler
Posted by: scribbler50 | December 18, 2008 at 07:24 PM
I love that opening one present will totally alleviate the worst day ever.
Wait, this isn't universally true?
Posted by: fish | December 19, 2008 at 10:41 AM