Boys

Dericke has Jed pinned against the floor, his wrist at an unholy angle. Jed is screaming, "It hurts. It hurts. Let go!"

I run in and shout at the top of my voice to "Stop it and let go RIGHT NOW!"

Both boys stop instantly, look at me like I'm crazy and then they speak over each other. "No, mom, it's okay." "We were just playacting, auntie." "We're fine really." 

Then they run out to find something else to play with. 

I go back and sit at the kitchen table, my heart racing. I congratulate myself. Because, hey, Im not strangling myself to death. Or slitting my wrists. Or mindlessly banging my head against the wall. 

Boys. I will never understand them.