boys...

Shiloh was standing beside the couch (holding on to it, of course) and I was sitting beside her on the floor. Kaleb was lounging on the couch, and Gabe was in the rocking chair. Shiloh was repetitively "patting" Kaleb, pretty roughly for her, really. He was indulging her and not complaining.

I say, "Hey, Shiloh, that looks like fun, let's beat on your brother!" I start to "help" Shiloh, and Kaleb starts laughing. Suddenly Gabe materializes beside his brother and puts his arms around him and says, quite indignantly, "Quit beating on my brother!" Then, a confused look comes over his face. He seems dumbfounded that he, generally the chief tormenter of Kaleb, has defended him! And, to add insult to injury, he was seen by me doing it!

I start smiling (a Cheshire cat smile, really, for I realized his chagrin.) Gabe, in a decisive effort to save face, says, "You don't want to beat on him, he STINKS!", and then he walks away.