Becoming The Pirate

Bath time - 5 yrs

"Christopher, darling, its bath time, " Mama said, walking into the room. I looked up at her from my toys.

"But I want to play!"

She gave me the scary look she always gave me when I was bad. "Christopher. Bath, now."

"No, Mama! I want to play! Can't I have a bath later?" I said, frowning.

Mama walked to me and picked me up and balanced me on her hip, but I kicked and screamed. I didn't want a bath! I didn't want to go to bed! Couldn't Mama see that?

"Sweetheart, you need a bath. You've been playing in the mud, " Mama said.

"No!"

Right then, Sophie, Mama's favorite maid, came into the room. "I can take him, My Lady. I don't mind bathing him, " she said softly.

I looked between the both of them. "I said I don't want a bath! I want to play with my toys!"

Mama sighed. "Christopher. You're dirty. You have mud on your face, love. You need a bath, and then you need to go to bed."

I kicked again. I wasn't sleepy! And I didn't feel dirty! I just wanted to play with my toys!

"I like being dirty, and I'm not sleepy, Mama. I want to play. Pretty please let me play!" I said. "Please, please, please!'

Mama shook her head. "Christopher, we are not doing this again. No more deals. You will have a bath and then go to bed. That is that!"

"But Mama!"

"But nothing." She turned to Sophie, who was looking at me, concerned. I liked her, but I didn't like the things she made me do because it was all unfair! Why did I have to pick up my toys when I would just play with them the next day?

"Sophie, please run the tub, will you? " Mama said. Sophie nodded and left the room.

"Mama, please. Five more minutes! I'll take a bath in five more minutes! I want to play with my toys, " I said, shaking Mama's shoulder.

She brushed the hair from my face and kissed my forehead. "No, sweet boy. Mama means it. You can play tomorrow. I don't want to hear any ifs, what's, or buts about it. You are having a bath, and then you will go to bed. It's late, and a growing boy needs his sleep."

I frowned. "But Papa doesn't go to sleep," I remembered Papa and how much he was in that study of his. I didn't know why he spent so much time in there when he could play in the mud with me.

Mama giggled. "Your father works, and he is a full-grown man. He can do as he pleases."

I crossed my arms. "When I'm big, I will do what I want. I won't go to bed. I'll stay up and do what I want."

She giggled again. "I'm sure you will, but for right now, you will do as I say."

Sophie walked into the room. "The tub is full. Are you sure, My Lady, you don't want me to take care of it? You'll get wet."

Mama smiled. She was pretty when she smiled. "It's alright. I have to enjoy the time when he's young. Besides, I promise a story in the tub and maybe one when you're in bed, " she said, glancing at me.

I smiled. "Okay, Mama. I'll take a bath."

"That's what I thought."

***

"You said you were going to tell me a story! I want to here a story!" I cried.

Mama smiled. "Alright, then." She thought for a moment. "I got one. Once upon a time, a handsome prince was coming back from slaying a dragon-"