The Prom Lesson

Flash Fiction

The Prom Lesson

"I need more money."

Ted looked up at his brother Ben, “For what?”

“The prom of course,” Ben shot back.

“It’s a school fancy dance, why would you need money? It’s not like you had to buy a new outfit.”

“But I need to buy Janet a corsage.”

“Isn’t that just flowers?”

“Well yes and no. I was going to bring her flowers but then Andy told me it had to be something she could wear all night. How can I buy flowers she can wear?”

“I know I’m only eleven, but sometimes I think Mom had some leftovers with your brains…”

“Not funny! How can I get enough flowers for her to wear them?”

“You buy a corsage, which is either a bracelet of flowers, or one she can pin on her dress…”

“You’re kidding…”

“No, I’m serious. I’ve seen them on TV. They’re just made different so the girls can wear them the whole time. You must have seen someone wearing flowers before.

“I always thought they had broken their vase…”

“So, you better go get a corsage, that’s what they call it! Every girl at the prom will be getting one!”

“And how much do they cost? I only have last week’s allowance…”

“I don’t know, but you can take mine too, just in case.” He handed his allowance to Ben, and Ben took off.

Later, after Ben left, Ted was telling Mom what happened. Mom laughed.

“It wasn’t funny! He was really worried!” Ted said.

“Oh really. Did you forget he went to the prom last year with Hayley? She got a corsage…”

“Crap! He took my allowance again, didn’t he!”

“Absolutely. Which is why I always call him Sneaky.”

“And what do you call me?”

“Adorable… of course!”

Ted smiled, “Another lessen, huh”

“Absolutely!”