Justis vs. Dawson

Why buy ring-side seats to a wrestling match when you get to play the referee and experience the REAL action first-hand in your own home?

I could have made money selling tickets to the show Justis and Dawson put on for us today. Tension, drama, bulging muscles and veins, surprise and all of the other elements that make a profitable sporting event were displayed by our budding fighters today in the living room.

In the first corner was Justis. Weighing in at a wiry 36 pounds, Justis is a flash of uncontrollable energy, driven by his pursuit to mediate and keep a balance of fairness and order to our household.

In the second corner was Dawson. Weighing in at a solid 36 pounds as well, the last thing Dawson wants to do is to use his overpowering physical strength to fight. He is driven by his pursuit of hugs and kisses and getting a laugh.

Justis must have won the coin toss, because he got to choose the fighting position. Travis and I found Dawson crouched down in his corner of the mat (Grandpa George's old lounger) defending whatever he had underneath him, with Justis on top of him holding his hands down yelling, "It's MINE, Dawson. GIVE IT BACK!"

Foul was called when the referee (Travis) noticed Justis was fighting unfairly. The ref determined that Dawson was minding his own business when Justis made his first move.

The ref turned his back to help the other ref (mom) finish getting lunch on the table. Justis and Dawson began circling, crouched down and wondering whose move was next.

Justis reached toward Dawson. "NO-OH, JUSTIS!" Dawson yelled, backing away.

Dawson's adrenaline apparently jolted him to action next. Dawson charged Justis, screaming a blood-curdling scream-turned-to-growl. He then (still growling with his open mouth now planted in Justis's bare chest in an attempt to bite him) simultaneously lifted him completely off the ground while bear-hugging him.

"Dawson, NO!" the referee yelled. But he was too late.

A growling and screaming Dawson, in a fury of testosterone, body-slammed unsuspecting and surprised Justis to the ground.

The referee used his strength to rip the crying boys apart and put them each back into their own corners to cool down. All three men were sweating!

The second referee (that's me) was no help at all. She just stood in the kitchen laughing at the intensity and humor of the situation. The fact that all three men had ironically come dressed for the occasion in nothing but their skivvies made the second ref laugh even harder.

Upon questioning the fighters, the referee determined that the cause of the fight was a tiny gift bag of highlighters. They were Justis's, but Justis had left them out where Dawson (not knowing whom they belonged to) picked them up to get a closer look.

The referee declared himself the winner and ultimate authority in the situation and imposed a penalty spanking on the behind of both fighters. He then sentenced the fighters to apologies and hugs.

Dawson, in an intense display of emotion and tears, ran to his brother Justis, bear-hugging him as hard as before. This time his bear hug was a symbol of love and apology. "Sorry," Dawson said, sobbing.

"I forgive you," Justis said, "I'm sorry, too.

Feeling whole and right with each other again, the boys surrendered and forgot about the fight as quickly as it had started.

Dawson must have been a little bitter about the penalty imposed to his behind by the referee, however.

"I don't like you, Daddy!" Dawson said, folding his arms and scowling at Travis.

"That's okay son, I love you, anyway."