I was in the kitchen when I heard the unmistakable sound of Walter's head hitting the floor. Pause.
He starts crying. Loudly.
I walk into the living room and Henry is nowhere to be found. Then I see his baseball cap floating between the cedar chest and the armchair.
"Henry," I say, "what happened?"
He peers out at me from his hiding spot, "I pushed Walter."
I point to the armchair. "In the chair, Mister. Sit there until I tell you that you can get out."
I begin my lecture and he listens.
I hold Walter and kiss his head.
Henry is stretching his legs and reaching for the floor.
"Whatcha doing?" I ask.
"I going to get down now."
"No, Henry. I didn't say that you could get down yet."
He continues to reach.
"Henry, don't push me."
"I not going to push you, I just want to put my tippy toes on the floor."