Family Rules
by Samuel S. Crawford
Mom orders for all of us and nobody gets what they want. Our waiter brings Dad some sort of spicy pasta. I get lamb. We all order wine. Dad is mad because he wanted to eat at his favorite restaurant. Mom tells Dad that we have a reservation there for Friday night. This isn't good enough for Dad. Tommy and I order another glass of wine. I keep expecting to be scolded for drinking, but nobody says anything to me. Tommy and I are getting along again. A cute girl comes into the restaurant. She looks at Tommy. I look at her. Tommy looks at me. Tommy is too shy. I nudge him with my elbow. Tommy elbows me back. He says, "Stop it, will you?" The girl doesn't stay long.