i'm not a statistic

XI.
Having much-older brothers meant that I became an aunt at the tender age of 13. My oldest brother and his wife had twin sons; I was immediately devoted to them and volunteered to babysit all the time.

One day my mother and I had the twins and were catching a quick lunch at McDonald's (value meals for us, Cheerios in a baggie for them, of course). We had them propped in two matching Mchigh-chairs and were just starting to eat when a little old woman came over to coo over them.

Oooh, aren't they dear? How old are these little ones? she asked.

My mom was in mid-chew, so the proud aunt answered. They're 16 weeks old, this is Michael and this is Matthew, you can tell them apart because Matthew's head is very slightly wider. I patted their little heads lovingly. The little old woman murmured something soothing and complimentary, and then left us to eat our lunch.

A few minutes later, I looked across the restaurant to where the little old woman was sitting with her husband. She was leaning across the table and talking to him in hushed tones. I heard her cluck, and then noticed her gesturing over towards us. She looked distinctly irritated.

Hey Mom, I said, I think that little old lady thinks I'm a teenage pregnancy statistic.

My mother looked at the twins, at me, and laughed. About then we both looked over to where the old couple was leaving, and caught the woman glaring disapprovingly at me. She snorted, and pushed her way out the door.

Monday 04 February, 05:29 PM