Fortunately, the deal didn't go through
- Laura Moore: Housebroken
- September 13, 2022
- 531
Growing up, I was blessed with four siblings. And we all get along. Not that there haven’t been a few disagreements over the years but nothing major. Well, I might have committed one or two little errors in judgement during our childhood, but it has all worked out for the best. At the time those judgement errors seemed excellent ideas.
When my brother was still a baby, about 10 or 11 months old, I sold him to a neighborhood girl for a wagon load of comic books and two kittens. What a deal! She wanted a baby to dote upon, and I wanted comic books and kittens. Somehow, I managed to get the treasure-loaded wagon into our house without being seen. Each kitten was petted, hugged and allowed free access to my bedroom. While they investigated their new home, I began to look at the comic books. I couldn’t read at age 4, but I loved the pictures.
The afternoon was spent thoroughly enjoying my new purchases until my mother came into my room looking for my brother. She asked me where he was, and I told her about the fantastic deal I had made with the neighbor. Mother was stunned, and instead of admiring my trading abilities, she screamed at me. “Where is your brother?” she yelled and grabbed my arms and jerked me outside.
I confessed to the deal with our neighbor and then burst into tears. She then marched me down the street to our neighbors’ house and reclaimed her little boy. Then, believe it or not, she made me return the wagon and its feline and comic book contents. I just could not understand her anger. Two kittens and a wagon filled with comic books was an incredible deal for one noisy, fussy, little boy.
Needless to report, I was condemned to my room until Dad got home that evening. He came in and reiterated Mother’s shock at what I had done and told me not to sell my baby brother ever again. I realized years later just how much my parents laughed at my "deal." However, I can still remember how bereft I was at the loss of those cute, little kittens and all those comic books.