It happened innocently, last evening. We’re driving home from The Mawl, where we hemorrhaged money in an attempt to purchase gifts for various recipients.
Son: So, Uh…
Me: Yes?
Son: So, can I have Chris and Alex to sleep over?
Me. Sure, as long as your Mom is cool with it. ( always ask. )
The Mom: Yeah, sure.
Son: And, can I call Justin too?
Me: Yeah, why not.
Son: How about Sean?
Me: Um… yeah ok.
I’ve seen video of feral dogs, wandering the streets of abandoned cities and towns ( like New Orleans… ). They sense food miles off and frequently and silently formulate elaborate plans of attach to get all of the food they can, as fast as they can.
Such was the case. I believe they passed over some exceedingly old and crusty ice cream in the freezer, and showed little if no interest in the jar of whole peeled garlic cloves. Otherwise, my refrigerator has been, shall we say, “sanitized” ?
It pleases me greatly that they like to hang here. I know where they are, and nominally what they’re up to down there. They were up till 6:00 am. This means my son will be catatonic and grouchy all day, and that doesn’t thrill me. On the other hand, this is a good clan of pals he’s gathered up and the odd sleep-over is a part of what it is to be a 15-year-old kid ( of either gender). They’re tight with my daughter too, and there are other girls in the group, none of whom were free to come and hang during the non-sleeping hours last evening.
All in all, nice kids. Bacon egg and cheese sammiches are about to be produced by myself for them for brunch. I had to kill the family pig this morning but hey, nothing’s too good for my child and his friends !!
I knew they were locusts from the low-pitched frightening buzzing sounds I heard emanating from the family room all night. 
Cartooniverse