As little Kelvin rips excitedly at the box that contains the Imp, Kade, Kelly, Troy and I, stand, brandishing baseball bats - just in case.
Drew, who has been quietly sitting, stands and steps forward, "There will be no need for weapons, these Imps are not aggressive, like those you may have encountered at the over seas facility," he says, helping Kelvin open the lid.
Little Kelvin's arm dives into the box and rummages around, pulling and tugging.
"So, what do you know about these Imps?" Asks Kade. Drew holds the box steady, While Kelvin pulls, "Very little, I'm afraid. I know they are a new, passive breed, bred to enchant children. But beyond that my knowledge is limited, as we were shielded from their full purpose. It was our job to package them, ready for distribution," he says.
Little Kelvin's face is screwed up with exertion as he clearly struggles to release the Imp from its box.
Kade leans in, to help Kelvin, "You seem to fear the phrase, 'Beware the Topknot' and the instructions on the back say 'twist the Topknot on the Imps head, to activate it.' That would suggest we should fear the Imp," says Kade.
Kelvin's excited squeal fills the room, "How can we fear this, it looks so friendly!" He exclaims, lifting it aloft and staring into its face like he's meeting his brand new puppy.
Drew responds by moving slightly back, "Yes, it does. However, I've seen no violent action from those that were activated in The Land of Love," he says, with his sing-songy sincerity.
......
"Dad, put it on the table, so we can all see it properly," says Kelly.
We all move in and peer at the little creature. The first thing I notice is how adorably cute it is. It's nothing like the tree imps. The face is round, with sandy colored short fur. The eyes are big and slightly bulging; it has a small button nose and an ever so slightly down turned mouth. The body is like that of a shorthaired teddy bear. It looks so damn cuddlesome.
"The face looks like one of those dogs, I can't think of the breed right now," says Kelly.
"A pug," says Kade.
"That's the one," says Kelly.
My brother, Tony is recording everything on camera, while mom stands back, observing with a Scientists eye, "Kelvin, go ahead and turn the little Topknot on the top of the head, activate your new pet," she says.
I catch her eye, and she gives me an ever so slight, knowing smirk - NO! I know she heard Kade and I in the bedroom earlier; embarrassment floods my face, momentarily distracting me from the activation of the Imp.
Your husband's mom, hearing you being intimate with her son - it's too much.
Kelvin's little hand finds the tiny knob on the top of the Imps head. He twists it and we hear a 'click.'
"It's not doing anything," says Kelvin, picking it up and shaking it impatiently.
"Dad! Put it down, give it time," says Kade, grabbing the Imp form Kelvin, and placing it on the table, yanking his father away from it.
Kelvin reacts with anger, "How dare you man handle me on my birthday - I'm your father..."
..."calm down dad," cuts in Kade.
..."and don't erupt me, it's rude!" Asserts Kelvin.
"Interrupt," corrects Kelly.
Kelvin shoots back at her, "How dare you erupt your father, young lady!" He shouts.
