Trick or Tricky

Flash Fiction

Trick or Tricky

“Trick or treat, trick or treat…”

“Mom!” Randy said, “He’s doing it again!”

“Randal! This is his first Trick or Treat without a grownup. He’s excited! He just wants to remember what to say.”

“He’s been saying it twenty-four seven since you told him he could go with his friends. How many times does he have to practice three little words!”

“Give him a break! You were just like him at his age.”

“Are you kidding? I was never like that!’

“Oh, really… how about the time when you wanted to have a kite and you made Dad go to twelve different stores before you finally picked one, and at the very first store you went to?”

“I was just making sure I got the best one… That’s different…”

“Oh really? How about the time you packed your own clothes for that overnight camp, six pairs of shorts and eleven shirts?”

“I was just being careful…”

“Right, and Jason is doing the same thing. He will be with his friends; he doesn’t want to do the wrong thing and embarrass himself. You go your way, with your friends, leave him alone so he can feel secure going his way.”

“Fine… but it’s stupid!”

Later as everyone was gathering at their house, Jason was very happy. Randy on the other hand seemed very quiet. Mom let it pass because everyone was having a grand time.

Then, as the checking baskets simmered down, one of Randy’s friends said. “Hey Randy!!! Merry Christmas!!”

Randy turned red as all his friends laughed. Later when everyone left, Mom asked what that was.

“I was so anxious about Jason making a fool of himself in front of his friends, at the first house we went to, I said ‘Merry Christmas’…”

Mom practically laughed her head off.