Little Billy's mother has her hands full.
She's got herself 4 kids.
She's got herself a busy life - as most mothers do.
She's the sounding board for most every word that comes out of her children's mouths and every thought that pops into their little minds.
She's the go-to person for advise --
For Band Aids --
For ...
The fixing of all broken toys.
She is the finder of ALL LOST THINGS!
She is a cool mom (the coolest - really) - but ... there are certainly times when she is ... TIRED!
Times when she might just say things to shush a rambling or whining child.
She might just elaborate statements - so as to make a child feel happier or put them in a better mood.
She might even - lie!
"So ..." Little Billy is standing next to the sink in the kitchen, "Can M spend the night tonight?" he asks, in an excited voice - so sure this question directed at his mother - the mother seated at the kitchen table - the one trying desperately to enjoy her delicious brisket and potato salad - will ... answer a quick, "YES", and then Little Billy can run happily on his way to call his buddy.
"NO!" is the answer that comes out of his mother's mouth.
Little Billy's shoulders slump.
His eyes dart back and forth.
He becomes fidgety and begins to shuffle his way across the kitchen to stand in front of her.
"But - you said," he tries very hard not to whine. He tries very hard to maintain his composure. He says, "Last night - you said, 'Maybe' - and you said it --- so positive," he is obviously confused.
Little Billy's mother shoves another bite of brisket into her lying mouth and thinks to herself how funny it is that the older kids would have picked up immediately on this stalling tactic the mother often uses to pacify a situation.
The older children would have easily seen through this feeble attempt on the mother's part to offer a statement, such as 'Maybe' --- even if offered in a chipper voice --- as merely a ploy -- a tactic -- a lie!
Poor Little Billy - he's got so much still to learn.
On the upside ... The mother showed pity on the boy child and changed her answer to "YES". How could she resist? He was so darling - standing there all wide-eyed and trusting (*evil mom throws her head back and laughs ... nearly choking heself to death on a mouthful of brisket*)