The Lie

Flash Fiction

The Lie

“That’s a lie.”

“No, it isn’t!”

“I can tell a lie when I hear one…” Dad said quietly.

“You can?” Ben asked.

“Everyone can.”

“I don’t think I can… well like unless someone told me the sky was green or something like that…”

“Anyone can tell if something’s a lie, if they use their powers.”

“What powers?”

“The powers to recognize a lie. Maybe you just haven’t realized you had that power yet. You are still quite young.”

“I’m seven now!” Ben said, feeling somewhat like he was being treated like a baby.

“I know, there’s no absolute time that you suddenly know a lie when you hear it, maybe you’re still too young…”

“I’m seven!”

“Some people get to be actual grown-ups before they get the power.”

“The power?”

“Yes, the power to distinguish a lie from the truth.”

“You, have it? When did you get it?”

“I got it when I was seven, maybe it’s just too early for you, you’ve only been seven for a month. I don’t remember exactly how seven I was, just that I was seven…”

“And how does this power work?”

“Well, when somebody tells you something that’s a lie, some little thing in your head tells you that it’s a lie. I’ve heard there are some people who can still get away with a lie, but they’re usually old and have been practicing all their lives.

Ben thought about this for a minute. “So, if I pay attention, I may be able to tell when someone’s lying every time they do it?”

“Yes.”

“You’re lying.”

“What?” said Dad, somewhat surprised.

“You’re telling me that to stop me from lying again. You just made it up.”

“And now I know for sure you did lie to me…” Dad said.

“Oh crap!”