Between The Rock And A Hard Place

(The neighborhood children are getting very unruly. My mom and I are driving by, when a little girl in blond pigtails throws a rock at my mom’s car.)

Mom: “That’s it! I’m going to have a word with those children.”

Me: “Aw, mom. It’s just a dumb kid. She didn’t shatter your windshield or window.”

(My mom ignores my pleadings, and goes up to the little girl in a fury. The other children scatter and watch from a safe distance.)

Mom: “Where’s your parents, little girl?”

Girl: “In jail!”

(My mom is silent, and looks at other children. They all nod. I think that was the first time I saw my mom speechless!)