Not So Welcome Home

As I sat atop the horse cart and parted from all my relatives, I could hardly wait to get home. The merchandise-laden cart traveled too slow for my taste, but I had no choice but to wait. My heart beat with joy as I opened the front gate in the mid-afternoon and saw my younger sister Jolan. I gave her all the presents I received, including the jump rope. My mother came and welcomed me. But not with the welcome that I had hoped for - I had my fathers' permission to stay there for the week!

I went over to the Farkas family, where I hoped to find my father - and did. He just gave me some money and told me to buy some goodies. I stood beside him for a few moments, then bought myself an ice cream. Afterwards I went to play with my friend Vera and, as always, we had a good time. I stayed at her house until late in the evening. When I came home, I asked my brother Bela if he got punished for walking to Nadudvar the week before. He said no. So only I was punished - why? I wondered, but dared not ask my mom.

© David Muskal, 2001