Left Behind

Mom and dad sat the triplets down in the family room for a family meeting.

Richard, the youngest of the triplets watched as his dad rung his hands and paced back and forth.

Richard frowned, his voice a whisper when he spoke, “dad you’re freaking me out.”

Dad looked at each of his children sitting on the couch, Howard the oldest, Shawna the middle, and Richard the youngest of the three, even if they were only minutes, apart in age they were each unique in personality.

Dad, with a shaky voice said,”kids, I got some bad news for you, your mom and I can only send two of you to college, so one of you is going to have to wait.”

Howard demanded, “What do you mean by that?”

“Well, son, I mean one of you can’t go this year, and your mom and I can’t choose which one. That means we are leaving it up to you three to figure it out. We will be back in 15 minutes and expect an answer!”

Without another word the triplets watched as their parents left the room.

Howard said, “obviously I should go, because I’m the oldest!”

Shawna said, “if we are using that logic, then I should go too.”

They both looked at Richard, waiting for his response.

Richard rubbed his hand across his face, “Why do I always have to be the one that gets left behind?”

Howard’s response, “because that’s the way it’s gonna be!”

Mom and dad returned, “Well, what is your decision?”

Howard said,”Shawna and I will go.”

Dad said, “not so fast, I said two of you, but really only one of you can go, and we’ve decided it would the one that sacrificed himself. Congratulations Richard, you’ll be attending college this year!”