Then come boyish smirks and another round of threats from Mom: “Don’t do that!” “I’m going to slap your hands!” And in a cry of desperation: “You’re never going to leave the house again for the rest of your lives!” Frazzled, harried, and broken, Mom finally surrenders and buys off her precious flesh and blood with candy bars — a cease-fire that guarantees enough peace to finish her rounds.
