![\"NaPoWriMo\"](\"https:\/\/riverwriter.ca\/wordcurrents\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/NaPoWriMo-150x136.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"That\u2019s me at twelve, missing a tooth: such a naive young girl.
\nIt was taken in calmer times, before my father put up the fence;
\nYou can see all the way to the dacha on the hill behind me.
\nHere\u2019s a picture of my boys. No, that\u2019s Vladimir;
\nhe was so small as a child. But he\u2019s bigger than Arseniy now.
\nAnd he takes advantage of it. Would you care for some borscht?<\/p>\n
Pardon, what? An explosion? Goodness gracious, no.
\nIt\u2019s just the boys playing upstairs. They\u2019re so rough!
\nYou\u2019d almost think they were killing each other.
\nExcuse me; I\u2019ll just be a moment.<\/p>\n
Vlad, are you standing on your brother\u2019s face again?
\nWell, I warned you: you\u2019ll have to go outside and play.
\nInside the palings, not on them. No. I told you before:
\nit\u2019s too dangerous; they are too sharp and he could \u2014
\nVladimir, you remember what happened to the dog.<\/p>\n
Such silly boys! So full of life. They must try everything.
\nBut your tea is getting cold; can I warm it up?
\nOh, he experimented with the dog and a pointed stick
\nand learned a lesson the hard way. Really?
\nWell he impaled \u2014 one moment, please.<\/p>\n
Will you behave? Your new tutor is just \u2014
\nIf you do not behave, I’ll tell your father:
\nand he`ll cut off your allowance; then you`ll be sorry.<\/p>\n
Where were we? Oh, yes: so you can start on Monday?
\nYou know, brothers can play nicely if
\nyou are firm; otherwise, they try to get away
\nwith murder. See? Already they have quieted down.
\nHave some borscht; it will put colour in your cheeks.<\/p>\n
NaPoWriMo 17: a dramatic monologue by the mother of two young boys. Continue reading <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"