Eighty Two Years

Flash Fiction

Eighty-Two Years

“You’re a jerk!”

“No, you’re a jerk! I did everything I was supposed to do!!

“Badly!”

“As if you could do it better!”

“A six-year-old could do better!”

“Then you must be five!!”

“What is the problem here?” Mrs. Glenn stopped the conversation glaring. “You two are out of control!”

“He started it!” James yelled.

Randel just sat there, frozen.

“Started what?” Mrs. Glenn asked, now in a quieter voice because every kid in the classroom had stopped to listen. “Randel?”

Knowing everyone was listening, Randel very quietly asked, “Can we go out into the hall for this?”

Mrs. Glenn took the hint, saying in a louder voice, “Out in the hall you two! Class, continue what you’re doing, I’ll be in the hall for a few minutes…” out they went.

“So, what’s up?” she asked the two boys.

Randel started. “He insisted we do the project on cupcakes!”

“That sounds good… Did you have a problem with cupcakes?”

“No… Yes! Well…”

Then James said, “he’s never had a cupcake…”

“What?”

“According to Randel he’s never had a cupcake! How could he never have a cupcake??”

Mrs. Glenn looked at Randel, “Really? You’ve never had a cupcake?”

“Yes, I mean no. I’ve never had a cupcake…”

You’re eleven years old and you’ve never had a cupcake?”

“We’re organic, and sugar free. We do have muffins!”
Randel said.

“Why didn’t you tell me that?” James said.

“I thought you’d laugh at me. Other kids always laugh…”

“Hey, I’m allergic to chocolate! You should see how I get treated when I don’t want chocolate!”

Randel laughed.

“So, I guess you two can come up with something that’s not chocolate and not cupcakes?” Mrs. Glenn asked.

Both boys laughed, and life was good again. They stayed best friends for the next eighty-two years.