A Friday Ruined

 

It was in November, and I was outside playing in the driveway.  I had on my twin toy six shooters, and a red cowboy hat with white lacing.  I was clearing out all the Apaches that had attacked the homestead, and the cavalry would be there soon.  Then my mom called me inside to watch the President's visit to our town.  At that time we had a smallish black and white television, I didn't want to go in but this was an argument I knew I couldn't win.  I broke out my toy soldiers as mom ironed and watched TV.  It was past lunchtime, but I would eat once mom got enough of the excited talk about whatever was going on, I had no interest in the program and was about to hang one of my soldiers for desertion when mom started crying.  I went over to her and tried to hug her and tell her it was going to be alright, but she paid me no attention and just kept watching the TV.  Someone had shot the visiting president but that meant nothing to to a five year old, seeing as how she had forgotten about me I went outside and dealt with the remaining redskins and then hooked up with David down the street, we played some more and got into an argument about who was going to be the Yankee in our game.  Dad came home about then and I had to go inside, he was on the phone a lot and mom sat next to him and wiped her eyes with a dishtowel.  My whole day was gone and supper that night was peanut butter sandwiches.   Grown ups ruin everything.

Johnny West Action Figure From Marx Toys.