Viva La Pantz

                                                          ¡Viva La Pantz!

                                                           By: M.R. Anglin

     Xena walked up to her front door. She shuffled the grocery bags to one arm and dug in her pocket for her keys.

     “Daddy.” She opened the door and shuffled her load to both hands. “Can you help with the groceries, please?”

     “¡Viva la pantz!” Xena paused. That was Hunter’s voice.

     “Huh? What th—Hunter!” J.R.’s voice exploded from inside.  A crash rang through the air. Glass shattered. It sounded as if a chair had been thrown across the room and had smashed against the wall.

     Hunter tore out the door, crashing into her. She fell on her tail with a thump.

     “Hey, Zizzie. Can’t stop.” Hunter hefted her up and jogged in place, looking over his shoulder.

     Xena’s eyes widened. Her boyfriend was wearing a shirt and blue and green polka dotted boxers. Two pairs of pants were in his hands. “What are you doing?”

     “Playing ¡Viva La Pantz!” He looked over his shoulder and smiled. “Do you want to play?” He reached out his hands and then paused. “Nah, I’d get in too much trouble.”

     “There you are!” J.R. darted into the entryway. He was wearing a shirt and gray and white striped boxers.

     “¡Viva la pantz!” Hunter waved the two pairs of pants in the air and took off down the road, laughing.

     “Get back here!” J.R. tore off after him.

     Xena blinked and walked into the house. She had to step over an overturned chair and tip-toe past a broken glass vase to get to the kitchen.

     Karalaina, her mother, was standing at the counter with her mouth hanging open. She was wearing her typical Expermian wear, a dress with two high splits on either side that were to be worn with pants underneath.

     “How did he get those pants off him? I was standing here watching,” Karalaina said.

     Xena set her groceries on the kitchen table. “Mom, Hunter and Dad just ran out of the house . . .”

     Karalaina held up her hands. “I know; just . . . don’t ask questions.”

     “Oh-kay. There are groceries in the car. Can you help me bring them in while I clean up?” Xena asked.

     Karalaina nodded and started to walk outside. She paused and lifted her dress. “Just checking.” She sighed continued walking.

     “¡Viva la pantz!” Hunter ran past the sliding glass door, waving three pairs of pants in the air. J.R. and a coyote Xena had never seen before chased after him.

     She shook her head. Why did Hunter do these things? Didn’t he know that he would get caught?

     “Xena.” Kathra walked downstairs and pointed outside. “I just saw . . .”

     “I know; I know. Don’t ask,” Xena said. “Just help pack away the groceries while I clean this up.”

     Kathra dug into the grocery bag. “We have a weird family.”

     “No,” Xena said, retrieving the broom, “I just have a weird boyfriend.”
© 2008 M.R. Anglin. Do not copy or redistribute without author's expressed written permission.