Making Work Work

Flash Fiction

Making Work Work

“I’m only going to say this once. Your room needs to be cleaned today. We have someone coming tomorrow. I need your room to be clean.”

“I could shut the door.”

“No, they need to see every room.”

“Why?”

“Because they might buy this house. And if they do, we will move to another house. You’ll have to pick up all your stuff anyway to move it to the new house.”

“Mom, you already tried that. It’s a trick and I’m not four anymore. I’m not falling for it. I know we’re not moving to another house.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because I’m smart.”

“Well, Smarty, that time and this time were both true. The people that day didn’t like it enough, the people tomorrow may like it a lot, if your room is clean.”

“Why do you want us to move?”

“Because we will move into Grampa’s house. But we can’t until we sell this house.”

“In Franklin?”

“Yes, you always said you wish we lived there. The forest next door, the pond out back. I loved living there when I was growing up.”

“Where will Grampa live?”

“He will live there too! And you can go to school there, just like I did!

“So, if I clean my room, and people looking at it like it, we will move to Grampa’s house?”

“Yes, but it will be our house too. You will get to play with Grampa every day!”

“Oh… do I have to?”

“Have to what?”

“Play with Grampa everyday….”

“What? Why wouldn’t you want to play with Grampa?”

“Cause, he cheats! “

“What?”

“He always says he can make the rules because it’s his house!”

“Well… now it will be your house too…”

“I will clean my room!” and he did!

Apparently, wonders never cease.