The Bloody Tourniquet

The sun was peeking through the blinds, and I could hear rustling around downstairs while Alex and the boys were buzzing throughout the house getting everything together for their Sunday morning guitar lessons. I could smell the amazing aroma of freshly brewed coffee and knew Alex would be in shortly to deliver my morning cup to the bed side as he usually does on Sunday mornings to make sure I wake up in a good mood. I stretched and checked the notifications on my phone… honestly, I checked the delivery time of my Amazon packages.

In the distance but approaching fast was the galloping tailless wonder, Winston. I braced myself for his launch attack in bed followed by his partner in crime, Izzy. Alex was bringing up the rear, coffee in hand wearing a “I got something to tell you”, smug look on his face. I watched him wearily waiting for what he was going to say. He always has a way of putting my nerves on edge. “So” he started as he gave me a sideways glance while setting the cup down on the nightstand next to me. “Trystan just came downstairs with a bloody sock wrapped around his leg like a tourniquet.” I sat up and stared at him wide-eyed, waiting for him to continue. “Apparently, he was wanted to shave his legs and gave himself a pretty good cut.” I breathed a sigh of relief that’s all it was. Usually, my mind goes into overdrive with a million different horrific outcomes before the full story is even finished. Hearing there was a bloody tourniquet tied around my son’s leg had me in immediate panic mode.  Alex continued, “He couldn’t find any band aids and grabbed a sock to tie around his leg so he could come downstairs and ask for one.” I face palmed. “Well, at least taking him to those first aid blood treatment classes were effective.” I said with a slight giggle. Despite the ridiculous fact that he used his sock to stop the bleeding, I was impressed by his quick thinking.

Of course, I grabbed my phone and immediately regaled my mom in the tale since she and my dad were the ones who took him to the first aid course when he was younger. A short while later, the boys came in to say their good-byes before heading off to their lessons. Liam came bounding in with his usual morning enthusiasm while Trystan, sheepishly peeked through the doorway half expecting me to say something about his embarrassing mishap. I smiled at him and held my tongue as I hugged him good-bye but me being me, I couldn’t let him off that easy. After the came back Trystan came into my room to ask Alex for help with his sketch pad. When he looked over at my I grinned, “How was guitar lessons today, Michael Phelps?” I asked. Trystan looked at me with a questioning expressing. “Michael Phelps?” he asked. “Yeah, you know since swimmers shave their legs…” he rolled his eyes and with a smirk of embarrassment walked out of the room. Alex and I both burst out in laughter. Needless to say, Trystan has earned a new nickname in our household.