Fly Tape

Tears stream down her face

It's been pushed into fly tape.

The little son watches from the corner, terrified.

The daughter walks down the stairs, shocked, but used to this scene.

He storms out the kitchen, outside, then back.

The daughter ushers the young son out of the room.

She kneels down and places a hand on his shoulder, speaking calming word.

He's never been much of a crier, unlike her.

Then, when the boy's not looking, her soft expression hardens into a hard glare, her face tense and rabid emotions about to explode from under her face.

She feels the words bubbling in her throat.

This is not the first time.

The first time, it was just a yelp.
A "Shut up and stop fighting already!"

There had been a short silence, and then it continued.

She had been getting better at causing fights to subside.

Using her words, charm, lies, and convincing tone to get them to stop.

'Not yet, don't snap.' She thought to herself.

She sent them both glares.

"That's enough."