The Way Things Go

Flash Fiction

The Way Things Go

“Mom walked in with bags of groceries. She seemed upset…

Are you OK? I asked.

‘I’m sorry, I was upset from the supermarket, and I was sorting it in my head.’

My mom’s a very quiet kind of person, you know. She used to scold me practically whispering. I couldn’t imagine her even talking to a stranger at a store.

‘It was stupid,’ she started.

‘I was almost done and my basket, had a lot in it when I got to the bakery. And bread on top I didn’t want to squish. But I wanted to surprise you and Dad so I picked out a cake. Just as I reached for it this woman literally reached across my arm and grabbed it! It was the only one left! So, I said, politely, ‘I was about to take that…’ She turned quickly, and the cake slid off the plate and fell onto the floor!’

What happened next? I asked.

‘We both stood there, looking at the mushed cake on the floor, and then we looked at each other… and started laughing! I know! Not my usual! Suddenly she looked around and saw the baker and yelled, ‘Hey there’s a cake on the floor here!’ and the baker started over with a dustpan. And we both walked away…’

And I said ‘Mom! Really? You just walked away?’

‘Yes… then when we got to the corner, we both started laughing, again!’

Oh, Mom! Then what happened? I asked.

We both checked out… and she’s coming over for lunch…

I grabbed her sleeve and said “What?” though my hysterical laughter.

And that’s how I met your dad, who was that woman’s son. She brought him with her for lunch. She’s your grandmother.”

“And another weird there, Mom…” Ricky said.

Mom laughed again.