Tools of the Trade

Spring descends upon the Sack.

***

Young Doo has emerged from winter hibernation.

It took only a few hours before he received his first admonishment from a Sack adult. This is consistent with previous years.

Oscar and Little Doug were making a minor repair to Oscar's car. They stood in Oscar's driveway, with both bent over the open hood of Oscar's recently-purchased vehicle. Little Doug was busily reattaching a loose wire, while Oscar was engaged in a supportive, but entirely observational role.

Suddenly, Oscar heard a scraping sound from the Sack's centre circle. Looking up, he saw Doo beside one of the circle's beleaguered trees. Doo was running a small handsaw back and forth across the tree's trunk.

He was in the beginning stages of chopping the tree down.

***

Oscar shouted a quick "Hey!" and walked across the street toward Doo.

Doo, of course, denied any involvement in attempting to cut down one of the Sack's trees. This is always the first phase in his extrication strategy whenever he's accused of wrongdoing in the Sack.

The second and final phase of Doo's strategy can be best described as "a hasty exit." Normally, phases one and two occur simultaneously; Doo makes his hot denials of responsibility while quickly walking backwards toward the safety of his home. As soon as a safe distance is created, he suddenly turns and sprints for home.

It's usually a very successful exit strategy.

***

This time, however, Doo had to collect some of his trouble making gear before he could make his exit.

As Oscar approached, he saw Doo hastily place the saw, a small crowbar and a claw hammer into a battered Adidas gym bag. Under questioning, Doo claimed the tools belonged to him. Apparently, he needed the tools for some "fixin'" that he had to do. Oscar said Doo was rather vague about the nature of the "fixin'," but remained adamant about his need for the tools.

Nothing seems to captivate six-year-old Doo more than tools and fixing things. If someone in the Sack begins work on an outdoor project, it's certain that Doo will appear within minutes. He will graciously offer to "hep" you with your project, even though he has no conception of what you might be building.

Oscar says it would be very helpful if Little Doug could be more like Doo. He said it's getting very tiring to ask Little Doug for help in matters of home maintenance. It would be far easier, he explained, if Little Doug would just show up when you flashed the silver glint of a hammer in the sunlight.

***

Despite Doo's fascination with fixing things, Oscar still couldn't justify the boy's ownership of the aforementioned tools. Few people would think it appropriate for a six-year-old to be in possession of a claw hammer, a saw or a small crowbar.

Under further questioning, Doo claimed that he had his mom's permission to be in possession of the tools. At least that's what it sounded like to Oscar as Doo backed slowly away, desperately lugging the gym bag containing the tools.

***

Later on, Oscar called Doo's mom to enquire about her knowledge of the tools.

Not surprisingly, she knew nothing about them. After getting the details of Doo's activities and claims, she said she would speak with her son. Several hours later, Doo's mom phoned Oscar back. Apparently, the tools had been pilfered from Doo's step dad, Sticky.

Sticky has now moved in with Doo and his mom. He brought his tool box and a collection of hand tools. Doo found them in the garage and must've thought he had hit the mother load of "fixin" equipment.

***

Doo's mom wants him to apologize to Oscar for telling a lie.

While Oscar understands why she wants him to do this, he still feels bad for the little tyke. Nevertheless, he said he'll still enjoy hearing Doo say, "I'm thorry." Most people would agree that it's not something heard too often around the Sack.

Apologies aside, one can only hope that Doo holds on to his love for tools and fixing things. He could have a lucrative career for himself some day.

And, at the very least, according to Oscar, Doo's fixing abilities will allow him to make up for all the things he has broken since being unleashed upon the Sack.

***