“What happened to your side?” Chase asked me.
I got ice cold and then really hot as I tried to figure out why he was asking. My stomach dropped and my pulse sped up as the worry set in.
“Chase!” Hollis said.
“My side?” I asked, letting him elaborate on why he was asking me about it.
“Mommm!” Morgan hollered to get the attention of their mother in the kitchen. “Chase is being rude!”
“Chasion, if you’re going to hang out with the older boys, you need to be polite,” their mom called out over the huge kitchen island.
“What?” Chase shrugged. “I was just asking what happened to his side because he keeps holding it.”
I nervously swallowed but tried to blow it off and smile.
“Mommm,” Hollis called out.
“It’s okay,” I whispered to Hollis. I didn’t want Chase to get in trouble.
“Chase, please come here,” their dad spoke up.
Chase sighed as he stood and dramatically stormed off to the kitchen.
“Sorry about that,” Hollis said.
“It’s fine, really.”
I slyly reached under my sweatshirt and tucked in my t-shirt so none of my skin would be exposed.
Morgan started talking about the first fight that would be coming on soon, and Hollis commented on who he thought would win. I nodded along with what they were saying, but really I was trying to tune them out and focus on Chase and his parents.
“Chase, sweetie, it’s not polite to ask someone bluntly like that,” their mom said.
“But he keeps holding his side when he stretches for snacks. And, Mom, you did a wonderful job creating a snack wonderland for us. I wanted to make sure he would be able to fully enjoy your snacks.”
Chase cracked me up.
“Can you think of a better way you could have handled your dilemma?” their dad asked him.
“Yes, I could have just pulled over the coffee table so he wouldn’t have to stretch very far.”
“Admirable. But try again.”
“I could have told Hollis to move over, and I could have put all the snacks on the cushion next to Patrick so he wouldn’t have to stretch.”
“Mmm, keep trying.”
“Think of your manners, Chase,” their mom said.
“I could have picked up the snack trays and brought them to Patrick.”
“Good, Chase.”
“Or I could have offered to hand him something,” Chase added.
“Good, son. You can go back, but please think about your actions around guests.”
“Okay, okay.” Chase ran back into the great room and slid on the floor by the coffee table. “Good news, guys. I’m back. I just need to think about my actions.”
