We had just finished two episodes of 1923, having stayed up much too late to watch. I had heard Theo making noises in his sleep on and off for the last couple hours and thought nothing of it.

That kid is a sleep talking, giggling, noise making chatterbox.

That’s when he wandered in saying his ear hurt. I pulled him into our bed and asked which one. He immediately point to his right ear and started whimpering.

That’s what I heard. It wasn’t talking or silly noises. It was whimpering. My poor baby.

I grabbed the Motrin and held him close while it started to do its thing. He asked me to hold his ear. Every time I moved my hand away, he put it back over his ear with more and more pressure.

How do you get an ear infector anyway, Mommy?

I’m not sure baby. Maybe from the long tubbies you like to take. 

But why does this keep happening to me?

I don’t think you’ve had an ear infection for a few years, buddy. 

Ear infecting or ear infector. That’s what I got. Right? 

It’s called an ear infection. And I don’t know. I’ll call the doctor tomorrow morning. Try to close your eye and go to sleep. 

But why are there drummers in my ear?  

Drummers?

Yea. Ear drummers. Why do I have ear drummers in my ear?  It’s making so much noise. 

Oh. Ear drums!  I think that is how your ear lets you hear sounds. 

Where are the drummers?

Your ear drums are in the tunnel in your ear all the way in the back. Like down here. 

Oh. In this tunnel?  I think there’s something in there. 

Uh. Kiddo. Did you put something in your ear? You remember the rule. Right?

I didn’t put nothing in my ear drummer tunnel. 

The rule is nothing smaller than your elbow goes into your ear.

Why would I put my elbow in my ear drummer tunnel?

You wouldn’t. That’s just another way of saying never put anything in your ear. 

Ok. But that drummer needs to stop making so many noises. My ear is hurting. Maybe it needs to get out of my ear. 

In case you were wondering…he does have a nasty ear infection. Luckily antibiotics have been ordered and he should be on the mend, soon.

I am writing for the 18th annual Slice of Life challenge presented by Two Writing Teachers.