That stupid little @@@@ what the hell is she thinking. I look up at the top of the tree to see her dangling like a monkey from a high branch. I am no hypocrite I spent a good portion of my childhood in arborville but I’ve told her “Never that tree”. Any other tree in the yard but not the one that looks the best for climbing but is actually rotten at the core. I told her no, I explained why, I even pointed out the spots where you could see the damage. If it wasn’t for the fact it was so close to the house I would have cut it down myself. As it is I am on the waiting list for every tree surgeon in the area. I almost scream at her but realize startling her might end badly. Instead I call up in the sweetest voice I can fake. “Honey, Sweetheart why don’t you come down now.” She clings to the trunk like a koala, fear apparent in her eyes. Apparently my acting isn’t as good as I’d hoped. But the little brat should be more afraid of her precarious position in the air not on the ground. “I think I’ll stay up here” she replies and reaches up as if to climb higher. “NO!” I scream unable to stop myself and she shrinks back towards the trunk. I pause and take a deep breath “No Baby it’s dangerous please just come down now, I promise I won’t be mad.” I can see her eyebrow raise in disbelief and give her a strained smile. “Come on down, I have ice cream in the freezer and if you don’t hurry your sisters will get it all.” I can see her weighing her options, she knows very well that treat won’t last forever. “Promise you won’t get mad?” I reach out my arms toward her. “Baby I just want you safe.” She knows she can’t stay up there forever but I wouldn’t put it past her to try if she could avoid a punishment. “Come on I promise I won’t punish you if you get down right now. You know I don’t break my promises.” That did it, all my years of trustworthy behavior finally paying off. I cringe at her every movement as she slowly makes her way down. I have her jump into my arms when close enough and clutch her desperately, my whole body shaking in relief. When I finally put her down she looks up at me with her wide innocent eyes. “You promised me, you won’t punish me right.” I smile down as the displaced anger comes rushing back. “Of course I won’t punish you, but I never said your mother wouldn’t.”