friday car ride

so, no lie. here it is.

it was late friday afternoon. sun was shining. birds were singing. the boys and i were out running a few errands before the weekend began. the world was mine.

suddenly:

E: "mommy?"

me: (somewhat distracted as i soaked in the sunshine, listening to talk radio in the background) mmmmmmmhm?

E: "mommy, do you know what everett said to some of the girls on the playground the other day?"

now, let me just pause right here and say that i should have known. i really should have. everett is a little boy in E's kindergarten class and the stories i have heard thus far about him have not been good. but he's six.. and i thought how bad can it be? plus, i was in a good mood.

me: "no, what did he say, honey?"

(i want you to prepare yourselves)

E: "he called them..

(please get ready)

...fat, bearded bitches."

(i will pause here to let that sink in.)

and now i will tell you that E apparently repeated that phrase on the playground that day.

what's a mother to do?

is he just trying those words out? should i make a big deal? what if he starts saying "fat, bearded bitch" to everyone?! what if he says it to his grandmother? is this the first step of many on the road to being a mass murderer, a sociopath, an outcast of society?!

what the hell am i supposed to do?

what would you do?

are there any voices of experience out there that can offer some wise words of advice? or commiseration?

i'll just be over here, pouring myself a stiff drink while i wait for you fat, bearded bitches to write me back.