Matlock

  So I know, I said I was going to write about my family’s past and maybe release a few short stories through this blog but I think I need to share what just happened.
  Well, actually, it started a few weeks ago, when we were called to Darrel’s classroom by his teacher for a special intervention. She was concerned about Darrel falling behind. He isn’t going to flunk out of 1st grade or anything like that, but he does need to work on a few things, math being the most important.
   I thought about it and decided he spends too much time on the Xbox playing violent games. We are a high tech modern family there are 4 Xbox 360, 3 lab tops, 2 desk tops, and Tweety in a pare tree in my house at any given time. Not to mention the HD TV’s in almost every room but my own.
   So starting with the Xbox, I looked through the family game folder for any games that are what I consider Violet. They included: Call of Duty, Halo, Borderlands, and many more. I left games like Star Wars Lego’s and Acme Arsenal. It is violent but not as violent as Call of duty.
   Last week was fine, he didn’t miss any of the games and his school work has really improved. The teacher has told us as much.
   Today, is Friday and the start of a new weekend. I get three days off, Friday through Sunday. Darrel started to whine about Halo 3, early this morning. By far Halo 3 is his favorite. So this went on for about hour before I asked him to sit with me and watch some cartoons.
   “Why can’t I play Halo 3,” he asked, between fits of tears.
   “Because that game is violent and I want you do better in school so you can make something of yourself when you grow up. If you don’t stop asking you are going to your room,” I answered, thinking well this is going to be a long day.
    A few minutes past and he got quiet. We watch Dora curled up on the coach. I was beginning to think it was over. (I win, no not exactly.)
    “Dad, what is a violent game?” asked the young attorney.
    “It is game that I have deemed as unhealthy for you to play,” I answered trying to sound smart.
    “So what makes a game violent?” asked the young lawyer.
    “It is a game that you play by going around killing things,” I answered. Not really realizing I was on the witness stand and he already had where he wanted me.
    “When I play Halo 3, I don’t fight monsters or people. I shot things that aren’t alive. Like boxes and tanks, But no people or monsters,” said the lawyer.
    SO! What he really meant and was getting at in such a logical way was, “Your Honor, my client Darrel does not play Halo 3 the traditional way. He doesn’t fight on matches and play the story mode. He plays on his own map by himself with no one else, AI or otherwise. So he plays Halo in a non-violent way and should be allowed to play the game.”
    I was set up I tell you. I really can’t believe I just lost this argument with my 6 year old. He set me up like a set of pins and bowled me over.
    I as his parent and the judge, decided to let him play the game after he did his homework. He got quiet again and I waited for the argument and worried if I was going to loose on appeal, but after a few minutes he said he was ready to start his homework.
    So later, he sits playing his Halo 3 in a non-violent way, when his uncle comes into the room. He said,” You better turn off that game before your mother comes home.”
    “No, I said he could,” I answered.
    “Did you ask your wife?” his uncle asked me.
    “Who do you think the man of the house is?” I answered, puffy out my chest.
    “Mommy,” said my son.
   If I do get into trouble with my wife for letting him play, I’m sure I can get off. I have a good lawyer.