One Night

Flash Fiction

One Night

Sneaking down the stairs James listened carefully.

Dad usually started so he could catch the news before Mom came in to watch TV. Mom was always busy doing her half of the kitchen up to snuff, after bringing James up to bed.

It was funny, a little bit. Dad had to clear the table of food and dishes, and then Mom got the dishwasher part. Of course, the food was always sitting on the counter with the dirty dishes when she got back down, so there was squabbling.

“He better put those leftovers in the fridge…” she’d say, “he’s left the green beans out and the cat knocked them on floor!” James had to listen every night, as to how Dad didn’t come up to par with Mom’s clearing directions.

But James was used to it, and had learned early that certain foods needed more time. Actually, more time before he could sneak down and get some cookies! He had been caught numerous times earlier in his cookie sneaking, and learned a lot about the noise and the light. If there was any light still on in the kitchen he waited, even though his fingers were itching to get into that cookie jar!

The light was off, and the dishes in the sink. He quietly snuck over to the cookie jar. Success!!

“There’s your mouse! I told you!” Dad said, whipping on the light. James froze! Mom looked angry, but burst out laughing. “My little mouse!” she said! “We will talk tomorrow!” They sent him back to bed.

As James lay in bed going over the event, he decided to see if he could get better at it. A challenge! It was the beginning of James using his brain. He was quite famous before he even hit twenty-three!