Gonzales

30

The sun had risen high in the sky, casting its golden glow across the backyard. But the tranquility of the day was soon to be broken by the unmistakable sound of a child on a mission—Aurelio, of course.

Aurelio had always been the kind of kid whose energy seemed endless, his curiosity boundless, and his sense of mischief ever-present. If there was an opportunity to create chaos—or, as he preferred to call it, fun—Aurelio was ready for it. And on this particular afternoon, the house was about to experience a full-scale Aurelio operation.

It all started innocently enough. Marco, Luca, Leo, had been sitting in the living room, talking about school, games, and whatever else sixteen- and nineteen-year-olds talked about when they weren't running around after their little brother. 

The house was calm, the occasional clink of glasses and soft murmur of conversation filling the space. But the moment the kitchen door swung open, it was clear that serenity would not last long.

"Marco!" Aurelio's voice rang out like a siren call. "Marco, come quick!"

Marco, who had been lounging on the couch with his feet propped up on the coffee table, sighed dramatically. "What now?"

"I'm in trouble!" Aurelio's voice grew more urgent, and Marco shot a quick glance at his brothers, who were now eyeing him curiously.

"Uh-oh," Luca said, leaning back in his chair. "Do you think he actually broke something this time?"

"I swear," Marco muttered as he stood, "every time that kid says 'I'm in trouble,' I lose ten years of my life."

When Marco reached the kitchen, he found Aurelio standing next to the refrigerator with a mischievous grin plastered across his face. He was holding a small bowl of chocolate pudding and had somehow gotten it all over his face.

"Marco, I need your help," Aurelio said innocently, though his wide eyes and smudged cheeks told a different story.

Marco crossed his arms. "What happened this time, huh?"

Aurelio blinked at him with exaggerated innocence. "Well, I was just trying to get a snack, and the pudding accidentally exploded everywhere." He gestured dramatically toward the refrigerator, where a chocolate explosion was indeed evident—pudding splattered on the door, the countertop, and a few stray dollops on the floor.

Marco raised an eyebrow. "Uh-huh. So, let me get this straight: you didn't spill it, it just exploded?"

Aurelio nodded, looking genuinely puzzled. "Yeah! It just... went everywhere!"

Marco let out a laugh, shaking his head. "Aurelio, you've got chocolate all over your face. What, did the pudding attack you or something?"

"I told you it was an accident!" Aurelio insisted, but the mischievous twinkle in his eyes betrayed his words.

Marco couldn't help but grin at his brother's antics. "Alright, alright. Let me help you clean up this 'explosion.'"

As Marco began wiping up the mess, Luca  wandered in, drawn by the noise and the telltale sign of Aurelio's latest disaster. Leo appeared in the doorway, looking a little more amused than concerned.

"What did he do this time?" Luca  asked, folding his arms and leaning against the doorframe.

"Pudding. Everywhere," Marco said, shaking his head as he wiped chocolate off the fridge door.

Luca leaned down to Aurelio's level, grinning. "Hey, buddy, did the pudding try to fight you or something?"

Aurelio's eyes lit up. "Yes! It was like a battle! It was winning, but then I showed it who's boss." He puffed out his chest proudly, as if he'd just defeated an ancient dragon instead of a dessert.