By Tony Zimbardi—Le Mons

HOLIDAY EXCITEMENT

“I’ll be happy to watch the boys for a few hours while you two see a movie, I know you haven’t seen a non-animated film in about six months now. I’ll make cookies with the boys, you and Antonio won’t have to worry about a thing, now go.” My sister Darlene is visiting for the holidays and we’re more than happy to be able to go see a film for grownups.

Antonio and I arrive at the ArcLight, for four hours of movie-going joy. We see No Country for Old Men and then The Kite Runner. I call Darlene on my cell during our 10-minute break between flicks. “Is everything okay with the boys?” I ask. “Yes, we took the dogs for a walk to the fire station, and now we’ll have lunch and make cookies.” ‘This is so great, thanks again so much,’ I reply, walking back into the theater.

Hours later we arrive home; as I walk through the house, I notice that all of our mini blinds in the living room and dining room are up, and the screens are all missing. In the kitchen I find my sister and Edward making cookies. “How were the movies?” she asks. “Fine, how was everything here? Why are all the blinds up?”

“Well, it really wasn’t a big deal,” she begins. “But shortly after the two of you left the house, I decided to preheat the oven. It caught on fire and I couldn’t get the fire extinguisher to work. So, I just called 911.”

“You called 911?” “Yes,” she continues, “The firemen came to the house, but by the time they arrived, the fire had gone out. It was just a little grease in the broiler that caught fire. So, I didn’t mention it when you called between movies, as I wanted you two to have a good time. The boys, the dogs, and I then went for a walk to the fire station to see firemen at work, but unfortunately, none were there. So we came back and resumed our cookie making.”

“Where’s Jaime,” Antonio asks? “Oh, he’s in his room, he wasn’t interested in making cookies after all the excitement,” Darlene responds. I rush to the boy’s bedroom to make sure Jaime is not traumatized by the day. I walk in his bedroom; his back is to me as he sways back and forth listening to The Chipmunks CD on his boom box. I rush over to him, “Sweetie, are you alright?” I ask, spinning him around and sounding a bit alarmed. “Yes Papa, we went to the fire-station and no fireman were there, and then on the way home, Edward stepped on my foot on purpose and he wouldn’t even apologize to me. I was very upset!” he adds, stomping his foot for effect. “Is that all honey?” I ask, “Is that all that upset you today?” “Yes, that’s all. Oh yeah; and Aunt Darlene had to call 911, too.”

In the next installment: The family prepares for the finalization of the adoption.

Tony Zimbardi Psy.D. is a psychotherapist in private practice in West Hollywood. More of his writing can be found at www.drtonyzimbardi.com.