Jeannie Smiled

Flash Fiction

Jeannie Smiled

“Jeannie! Get in the car, we’re gonna be late!”

Jean ran out the door.

“Where’s your jacket?”

“Ah, in the closet…”

“It’s chilly, go get it!”

Jean ran back in. Just as she got back to the door with her jacket, Mom yelled, “Not that one, it’s stained, get the pink one!”

Back she went. Then she stopped and yelled, “Do I need boots?”

“No!” Mom yelled, then “Why would you need boots?...”

“Rain maybe??”

“It won’t rain; there aren’t even clouds in the sky!”

“But it could rain… couldn’t it?” Jean said, standing in the doorway.

“It won’t, go change your jacket! Hurry up!” Mom opened her car door and pulled out boxes.

“What are those?” Jean asked as she came out pulling on her other jacket”

“PTA stuff. I’ll bring it in when we get home, get in the car… ahh… where are your shoes?”

“Oops, I forgot! I wanted to wear my boots. I’ll go get my shoes…”

“No, you get in the car, I’ll go get them!” Mom ran in the house. Two minutes later, “Where are your shoes?”

“In the bathroom.”

“Why would they be in the bathroom?”

“I spilled toothpaste on them and I had to wash it off… They were wet…”

“Well, you can’t wear wet shoes. Where did you leave the blue sneakers?”

“In my room, I let my Baby Donna doll wear them.”

Mom sighed, then ran in and got the sneakers.

Coming back, she dropped the sneakers in Jeannie’s lap and started the car. Off they went.

After a block, Jean asked, “Where are we going anyway?”

“To the Buddy Party at school! Did you forget all about it?”

“No. I thought it was on Friday.”

“It is Friday.”

“Mom… today’s Thursday…”

Mom laughed, “Well! Let’s eat out!”

Jeannie smiled.