of snakes and boys

yesterday afternoon, i spied my almost-13 year old son strolling nonchalantly into the kitchen, both hands in his pockets.

i then heard the clanking of silverware.

he strolled back out, hands still in pockets, and additionally, a look on his face that was somewhat less than innocent.

when questioned about his actions, he shrugged and denied any wrongdoing. when further questioned, he shrugged again, sighed, and re-entered the kitchen, where he then removed a pretty darn realistic-looking bug which he had placed there in hopes of scaring his mother.

he was busted, and the prank had been foiled.

...hours later

...i stagger into bed, already half asleep. i fall onto my stomach...curl one arm under my pillow...and touch...

a freakin snake! which rattled!

i feel lucky to be here, and he'll be lucky to see 13.

UPDATE:

i was just informed by the above-mentioned 12 year old that altho he was the accomplice, he wasn't the mastermind behind the plan.

that would be my 10 year old daughter, who was mad at me for not being sympathetic enough to the horrible predicament in which she finds herself. said predicament being that she, a female-type person, has to play a wise man, who historically has been a male-type person, in their school Christmas play.