stooges

it began innocently enough.
they were leaning on one another, petting each other's hair and speaking very quietly, about 6 and 4 years of age.
suddenly, the big brother began batting at and then brutally twisting the little one's ear.
at first, the little one squealed with delight.
quick like a cat, the big one suddenly had his leg wrapped over the little one, twisting the same ear, which now resembled a tiny, unopened rose, causing the little one to whimper and me to sweat uncomfortably inside my jacket.
the grandmother, who stood across from them near the doors, yelled loudly in chinese.
at this, the little one pretended to sleep, his ear a bright, angry red, fake little snores escaping his mouth.
the older one went for gold next, poking into and then pushing on the little one's right eyeball.
little kicked and cried out, slapping at big's hand, then rubbing his now watering, nearly punctured eye.
after a few seconds, big placed his whole hand over little's mouth and nose, eventually squeezing the nostrils so hard i imagine he had hopes of fusing them together forever.
much flailing ensued, at which time little stood, turned around and put his belly on the seat.
big stood too, and pulled little's feet out from under him.
they whinnied like donkeys, repeating the gesture over and over again.
more stern yelling from the old woman.
they sat down.

little gnawed on big's hand, his ear still inflamed, his eye still tearing.

big smacked little's forehead again and again, in turn smacking his little head against the seat.
they got off with the grandmother at canal, holding hands.

there's nothing in the world like an older sibling.

and sometimes, public transportation is far better than television.