THE WOODEN SWORDS CHAPTER 17. - THE CRIME!

-How could you all have been so stupid?

-But Dad…

The network of our parents had been in action before we had even got home from the candy store and the candy storeowner had exaggerated the story when calling Ralph’s mum. The story then became worse when Ralph’s mum called my mum and now we were all being accused of destroying the whole shop in a fight.

-There are no ‘buts’ after what you have done!

-But, it was…I was…we were…

I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t want to leave Ralph to take the blame all alone and it wasn’t the Cowboys fault, plus the candy lady was making the story worse than it was. I just stood in silence and stared at the floor…it couldn’t get any worse.

-A-wex, please can you play dollies with me?

-What? No!

-Alex, you have time to break windows with your friends, so you have time to play with your sister.

It got worse. At least this time both Mum and Dad were home together and gave the telling off together. I hate it when I have to wait until Dad gets home from work, be told off for a second time, and see the punishment get worse. Tonight I was still waiting to hear what the second punishment would be, although it couldn’t be much worse than playing dollies and dressing them up in outfits.

-Alex, your mum and I know that you are a responsible young man, which is why we are so upset with your behaviour today. Breaking windows in fights are not the actions of a responsible person! You must learn that actions have consequences, and sometimes those consequences have a price, which is why you will help pay towards a new window.

The telephone rang and my dad went off to answer it. I felt like throwing the dolls across the room. How much does a new glass cost? 100? Maybe 1,000…probably a million! The door opened, Dad walked in and sat down next to me.

-Ok, that was Ralph’s Dad on the phone and it seems that Ralph has explained that it was only him and some kid called Ron involved. Ralph is going to lose his pocket money to help pay for the window and is grounded for a week. As for you, I don’t know, young man! I am not happy with you being involved with something like this, but I understand you wanting to protect your friends. For lying to us, you are banned from watching television for a week.

-Dad…

-Yes, Alex?

-Sorry.