Terzo the Truthteller: A Scene From the World's Longest Summer Vacation

I thought the boys were outside playing nicely.  As usual, I thought wrong:


Primo, sobbing:  "MOM!  Terzo said he HATED ME and that he's ALWAYS HATED ME!  That hurts my feelings!!!!"

Me:  "So, tell me what you did to him first."

Primo:  "Nothing!"

Me:  "So, tell me what you did to him first."

A gleeful Secondo, who has just popped in the door to see what was going on:  "Primo hit Terzo in the head with a Frisbee!"

Me:  "Is that true?"

Primo:  "I didn't hit him that hard!"

X, who is now interested and looking outside for Terzo:  "No, I can see a big red mark on the side of his head."

Me:  "TERZO!  COME IN HERE RIGHT NOW!"

Terzo, now inside and sobbing:  "HE HIT ME!"

Me:  "Did you tell Primo that you hated him?"

Terzo, in the World's Smallest Voice:  "Yes."

Me:  "Now, do you really hate him, or were you just angry?"

Terzo, in an even smaller voice:  "I was just angry."

I give you:  DAY 5 OF SUMMER VACATION.  God help us.