INNES: GrrrROWL!
FELIX: Waaaaaaaaaah! (runs toward kitchen)
MOMMY: Innes, you're not allowed to growl at the baby. Don't do that again.
(FELIX returns to the couch. Three minutes pass.)
INNES: GrrrrrrROOOOOOWWWWWLLL!!!
FELIX: Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
ZANE: MOM-my, Innes just growled at Felix again!
MOMMY: I know, Zane. I know.
(MOMMY goes into the living room)
MOMMY: Innes, I told you not to growl at Felix. If you do it again, you'll have a time-out in your room for five minutes. Do you understand? Also, it takes me longer to get your food ready if I have to stop to come in here, so please don't fight with your brothers.
INNES (looking sweet and innocent): Yes, Mommy.
(MOMMY returns to the kitchen. Two minutes pass.)
INNES: GrrrrROWL! Rarr! ROOOAAAAAARRRR!!!
FELIX: Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!! Mama! Mama! (runs toward kitchen)
ZANE: Mommy! Innes keeps growling at Felix! And he's kicking me!
MOMMY: I KNOW, Zane.
(MOMMY goes to the living room, scooping up FELIX on the way. She sets FELIX on the couch next to ZANE.)
MOMMY: Come on, Innes--you need a time-out.
(INNES lets loose a bellow of shock, anger, and dismay.)
INNES: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! I promise I won't do it again! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
(MOMMY picks up all 46 pounds of distraught INNES and carries him toward the stairs).
INNES: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! I WANT COMPANY! I'M HUNGRY! NO! NO! NO!
MOMMY: It's just for five minutes. You can come out when the last number on the clock (points) is a 3.
(MOMMY deposits INNES in the bedroom and closes the door. Yelling continues).
***
Can I get a time-out?
