he was still in knickers

   she was heated Would you put that thing down? It’s dirty.

Its dead

Don’t sass me.

Its dead Im taking it home and burying it on the far side of the garage under the eaves

she stepped towards him

thinking she might try to take it from him or knock it out of his hands he turned sideways putting his body between the little bird and her

                    adamantly she picked that up  Im burying it 

I’m your mother, you’ll do as you’re told.

I will not

Why aren't you listen to me?

Ill listen to you when youre not wrong 

   that was the talk at the dinner table as his father accepted plates shuttled to him to place servings on

                                                                                                               youngest to eldest mother first  as he doled out food he said to his eldest You’re excused. Perhaps the next time your mother tells you something you'll as you're told.

he felt words turn in his mouth but swallowed them 

                                                       Thats unlikely Dad The same will go for you

he knew his head young teachers already were biting their tongues rather calling him stubborn difficult they withheld incorrigible 

             though had they they wouldnt have been far off the mark

if they made a legitimate argument he could be convinced but he wasnt taking what he was told as gospel  he was skeptical  and particularly so when he was told Because as a shortcut to continue a lesson

his principals were familiar

his reputation preceding him

thus his parents were also familiar with them

1420,  Thursday,  29  6. 23

Millie Small  My Boy Lollipop  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7lCJg3WoSc