"Well, then we're going to watch the News," he said, sternly. "Because you're the Mom."
"Nuh-uh," she said, stubbornly.
"Mary Thomas, you will do as you are told, or you are going to bed right now," Brandon said. He couldn't believe she was acting like this. She was normally so well behaved.
"I don't want to play and you can't make me," she said.
"You can do as I say and sit here and act like a grownup, or go to your room," Brandon said, calmly.
"I want to watch cartoons," she said.
Brandon sighed, suddenly not wanting to fight over it. He shook his head. "You may watch whatever you want for one half hour, Mary." That wasn't giving in, was it?
She picked up the remote and changed the channel.
Brandon went to clean up dinner, suddenly feeling very weary. It was so hard taking care of her by himself. He threw the pizza box away and wrapped up the leftovers, listening to Mary giggle at the cartoon.
At least she would be going to bed soon and he'd get some time to himself. But he was starting to feel too tired to do anything. He didn't know where she got the energy.
