Tag: fiction

Vinnie’s Mom Wonders if Her Day Can Get Worse

11

Vinnie’s mom’s eyes glaze over. She sees herself walking along a deserted beach surrounded by sandpipers. The only sounds are the rhythm of the surf rolling onto the shore and seagulls circling the beach looking for food. Suddenly, she’s transported into the present moment.

“Mom, Mom, Mom,” says Vinnie.

Vinnie’s mom travels one-thousand miles in the blink of an eye, “Yes, Vinnie?”

“You’re not paying attention, Mom. Your mind is somewhere else,” says Vinnie.

Vinnie’s mom gets indignant, “It is not. I was paying attention.”

“No, Mom. Mrs. Navis says the same thing to me when I get the same look on my face. Where were you?”

“Is this part of the challenge round?” asks Vinnie’s mom.

Vinnie’s dad steals a glance toward Vinnie’s Mom, “I’d like to know. Was I with you wherever you were?”

Vinnie’s mom makes a deep sigh, “If you both must know. I was thinking about dinner and where we should go tonight. I was thinking we’ll go for pizza at Mario’s Sport’s Bar and we can all watch the ballgame while we eat.” Vinnie’s mom immediately regrets her words. She hates sport’s bars. She tired of pizza. And she doesn’t know who’s playing and she doesn’t care who wins. And, she just blew the private date she and Vinnie’s dad agreed to earlier.”

“Wow, Mom. I hate having a baby sitter. This is so cool. This day is already getting better and I didn’t think it could get any better. Can Rupert come? I promise he’ll behave,” says Vinnie.

Vinnie’s mom is thinking about seeing a present moment coach. She can’t back out of this one. Her day is like a winter storm when forecaster says, “Hold on, the storms going to get worse before it gets better. I hope there’s plenty of food in fridge.”

Vinnie’s dad says, “Great idea. I’ll invite Mike and Michelle to join us. That’s the bar where they met.”

Vinnie’s mom thinks, ‘Can this day get worse? Yes, it has and there’s no telling how bad it is going to get.”

“Mom doesn’t like Michelle. She thinks she uses too much makeup. Isn’t that what you told Marsha? Dad. Can we invite Larry and his mom. At least I’ll have someone to talk to besides you both,” says Vinnie.

Vinnie’s mom wants to deny what Vinnie said, but can’t she knows she said it. She makes a mental note not to be candid with anyone if Vinnie’s awake and then she can’t be sure if he’s sleeping. She says, “Can we get the challenge round over with?”

Vinnie smiles. He says, “Great. Let’s do the challenge round then I’ll invite Larry and his mom.”

Vinnie’s dad raises his hands up, “Hold on, Vinnie. We didn’t agree to inviting Larry and his Mom to Mario’s tonight.”

“But, Dad. You didn’t say no,” says Vinnie.

Vinnie’s mom sensing an opportunity for payback, says, “Vinnie makes a point, Dear.”

Vinnie’s dad hearing his words repeated back to him feels as if he’s driving into a cul de sac and has no escape, “I thought you didn’t like Emily.”

Vinnie glances at his Mom. “You don’t like Larry’s mom, Mom? Why? I’m making this the first part of the challenge round, so you have to answer it.”

Vinnie’s mom prays silently, ‘Mary, Mother of God, help me. I’m dying here. I’m trapped in deep pit and they’re tossing dirt on top of me.’ Vinnie’s mom forces a smile, “Of course I like Emily, Vinnie.”

“But Dad said you don’t like Emily. Dad, why did you say Mom didn’t like Emily if she says she likes Emily?”

Vinnie’s dad doesn’t dare glance at Vinnie’s Mom. He can feel her shooting large jagged icicles at him. He says, “Can we take the original question? I was ready to answer it.”

Vinnie says, “I’ll have to talk to Rupert and Dexter about this rule change.”

‘Oh, dear God, I’m at the mercy of a stuffed animal and a beagle,’ mutters Vinnie’s  Mom.

Vinnie Returns Monday Testing His Mom’s Limits

Vinnie can’t help himself, he’s an 8-year old boy with a vivid imagination. He returns on Monday.

Vinnie’s Mom Needs a Support Group

9

Vinnie finds a parent worthy question. He holds it up in front of Rupert. Then he shakes Rupert’s head acknowledging Rupert had enough time to read the question. Vinnie bends over the side of his chair and shows the question to Dexter. Dexter’s thinking it’s food, snaps at it barely missing the question and Vinnie’s fingers. 

Vinnie looks up at his mom and dad. “Mom, Dad, are you ready for the question? It’s got a few parts. Do you want the last part first or the first part second because I can give you the third part first.”

“Vinnie, this is confusing. How many parts to the question?” asks Vinnie’s mom.

“I’m sorry, Mom. I forgot you and Dad are adults. I have to make it easier for you.”

“Don’t be fresh, young man,” says Vinnie’s mom.

“Vinnie may have a point, Dear. You know how young kids take to technology. Vinnie taught us all about snapchat and Instagram,” says Vinnie’s dad.

“Go ahead. Stick together. I thought we were a team in this game?” says Vinnie’s mom.

Vinnie turns to Rupert, “Rupert, you and Dexter will win, because you know how to work together.”

“Ouch,” says Vinnie’s dad.

“What is the question? Start at the first part,” says Vinnie mom. Her impatience level now registering seven on a scale of five.

Vinnie picks up the question and reads it, “I was born in Columbus, Ohio. But we only lived there while I was alive for two months and then we moved to Texas. How come when you say O  H, I have to say I  O? We don’t live there.”

Vinnie’s dad raises his hand, “I got this one, Dear.”

“You don’t want to talk about it first?” says Vinnie’s mom.

“You can take it if you want it. It seems straight forward,” says Vinnie’s dad.

“I don’t trust him. There’s a catch,” says Vinnie’s mom.

Vinnie’s dad turns toward Vinnie’s mom, “Vinnie’s our son, of course we trust him.”

“You take it then,” says Vinnie’s Mom sticking her hand into a bag of nachos. 

“Well, Vinnie, Mom and I both grew up in Columbus and we both went to Ohio State University. That’s what they teach us to say. They’ll teach you the same when you go there.”

“What if I don’t want to go to college there? I think I want to go to Michigan instead of Ohio State. What’s wrong with that?”

“OMG! I told you, we couldn’t trust him. Vincent, you cannot go to Michigan. If you do, you’re crossing over to the dark side. They are our arch rival,” says Vinnie’s mom.

“Mom’s right on this Vinnie. When you say that word, it’s like cussing,” says Vinnie’s dad.

“I am not going to Ohio State when I grow up. Besides, Sister Janet went to Notre Dame and at Sunday School she said it is a much better place than Ohio State. I asked her.”

In unison, “You are going to be a Buckeye. End of discussion.”

Vinnie turns to Rupert, “Do you want to take this or should I?”

Vinnie uses his falsetto voice, “I’ll take it.”

Vinnie picks Rupert up, holds him arms outstretched in front of his face and speaks in Rupert’s voice, “You’ll have plenty of time to get used to the idea. Vinnie’s only in third grade.”

Vinnie sets Rupert down against his lunch box, then turns toward his mom and dad, “I wish you guys were as smart as Rupert. This game is really unfair.”

“We’ll see. And, I am your mother, not Sister Janet,” says Vinnie’s mom.

Vinnie lifts Rupert and twists in his seat. He bends over placing Rupert on Dexter’s head. Dexter doesn’t move because Vinnie often does this. Vinnie lifts Rupert up and places him back on the table. He says, “Rupert and Dexter have a better answer, too bad. You get minus seven points for your answer. Rupert and Dexter get eleven points for the correct answer. Now, part two. What is a buckeye? Why would anyone chose this for a mascot? And, why do they call it The Ohio State University? Should I call Rupert, The Rupert and Dexter, The Dexter? And, none of my friends root for Ohio State in football season, they all root for Texas teams. Why can’t I root for a Texas team? If Ohio was so good, how come your parents, Mom, come to Texas for the winters? And, how come your parents, Dad, moved to Florida? What’s your answer?” 

“To what question?” asks Vinnie’s dad.

“That’s a minus ten response, Dad. Too bad. You and Mom are at minus seventeen. Rupert and Dexter are at seventy-six.”

“How are you scoring this game?” asks Vinnie’s mom.

“That’s one of the best parts of the game, Mom. The person who asks the questions gets to make up a score.”

“Is the game almost over?” says Vinnie’s mom wondering if she can call a support hotline for moms who have sons like Vinnie.

“We’ve only started, Mom. We’re going to enter the challenge round next.”

Vinnie Changes the Rules of the Game

8

Vinnie’s mom checks the time on her iPhone. They’d been playing for fifteen minutes. It seems like fifteen years, she wonders if it will ever end. Vinnie’s dad is on his third cup of coffee. Vinnie is taking one question after the other out of his lunch box and crumpling them into balls and building a fence around Rupert with them. 

Suddenly, he stops crumpling the questions and says, “Ah hah. I found the perfect question. I’ve made a rule change to help you. First, I think I’ll put game recommended for smart people when I get a box for it,” says Vinnie.

Vinnie’s mom makes a deep sigh. She says, “What is the rule change, Vinnie?”

Vinnie says, “Since you both have trouble answering an easy question,  I’ve taken out the competition part. You are now partners playing against Rupert and Dexter.”

Vinnie’s mom glances at Vinnie’s dad and says, “We’re playing against a stuffed animal and a beagle?”

“Apparently so, dear,” answers Vinnie’s dad. 

Vinnie’s mom says, “I need a five minute break. It might be good for all of us.”

“I agree with Mom,” says Vinnie’s dad.

“Mom?”

“Yes, Vinnie?”

“Will you set your iPhone timer for five minutes. If you both are not ready to play in five minutes, you get penalized and Rupert and Dexter will get your points.”

Dexter slowly got up on all fours and barks thinking he was being called to eat. Rupert sat on the table against the lunch box, his smile never leaving his face.

Vinnie’s mom left the dining room and headed to the bedroom. Vinnie’s dad didn’t bother putting on a coat before he heads out to the deck where the large round circle thermometer read both 140 F or -10 C. Vinnie’s dad prefers reading the Fahrenheit reading because it seems warmer. 

With his parents out of the room, Vinnie uses the time to prep Dexter in the only language Dexter knows, food. Vinnie walks into the kitchen, Dexter trails closely behind. Vinnie opens the pantry door, he finds his dad’s favorite snack, a soy based faux meat jerky beef stick. He takes the largest bag, opens it and turns to Dexter. Dexter immediately sits on his haunches. Dexter knows this is the default position for receiving rewards from adults. 

Vinnie opens the package, breaks a piece of jerky off and says, “Dexter, bark if you know the answer.” 

Dexter is not too bright, but food is an excellent incentive. After five tries, Dexter catches on. 

Vinnie’s mom hollers from the bedroom, “What’s Dexter barking at?”

Vinnie answers, “He’s practicing answering questions. How much time is left on the timer, Mom?”

There is a brief pause. Then Vinnie’s mom answers, “There’s one minute and five seconds.”

“You better get Dad, Mom. Rupert and Dexter are ready to play.”

On time, Vinnie’s mom, Vinnie’s dad, Vinnie, Rupert, and Dexter are in place for the game to continue.

Vinnie’s dad looks at Vinnie’s mom, “Isn’t it a bit early for a glass of wine, Dear?”

“No,” answers Vinnie’s mom.

“Do you mind if I get a beer?” asks Vinnie’s dad.

Vinnie Helps His Mom Out

7

Vinnie sticks Rupert’s hand into his lunch box. He moves Rupert’s hand around, first this way and then that way. “Pick out an easy one for Mom, Rupert. She’s in last place. I always thought boys are smarter than girls.”

Vinnie’s mom puts two fingers to her lips and lets go with a shrill whistle, “Hold on, Buster. Boys are not smarter than girls.”

“No need to get upset, Mom. I’m trying to help you out,” says Vinnie.

“I don’t want an easy question. I want the hardest question you have in the lunch box. I’ll prove girls are just as smart as boys.”

“That’s the spirit, Mom. Already, my game is more exciting than Clue, don’tcha think?” asked Vinnie.

“Vinnie’s dad glances at Vinnie’s mom, “Vinnie’s makes a point. Vinnie, I have a question about the game.”

“Sure, Dad. If I can’t answer it, either Rupert or Dexter can answer it. They helped me with the questions,” says Vinnie.

“When does the game end?” asks Vinnie’s dad.

“End? It doesn’t ever end. That’s what makes my game great, Dad. It never ends so there is no official loser. Problem is there is no official winner. Rupert is still working on the last part.”

Vinnie’s mom interrupts, “Vinnie, this doesn’t make sense. A game has to end. All games have winners and losers. Let’s play to ten points. The first person to get ten points is the winner. I think we can all agree to that.”

Vinnie shakes his head, “Mom, you’re thinking like an adult. You have to start thinking like a kid. If kids ruled the world we wouldn’t have wars or bad stuff going on. All that stuff comes from adults.”

“That’s pretty good, Vinnie,” says Vinnie’s dad.

“Quit taking Vincent’s side,” says Vinnie’s mom.

“I wasn’t taking Vinnie’s side. You have to admit he’s got a point, Dear,” says Vinnie’s dad.

Vinnie’s mom’s face turns a tad red, she turns to face Vinnie’s dad. She says, “I’ll grant you, Vinnie has a point. But who has been in charge? It’s boys who grew up to be men. I’d like to see woman rule the world for a change.”

Vinnie becomes bored with the conversation and slips away from the table and heads to the refrigerator. While he is away, Rupert keeps an eye on the players. Dexter follows Vinnie to the refrigerator. Vinnie opens the refrigerator door and stands in front of the open refrigerator staring at all the choices. There’s nothing he sees that he likes. If Dexter were taking a multiple choice test, he’d circle all the above. Vinnie removes a plate with two pieces of left over grilled chicken breast and tips the plate letting the chicken drop on the floor. He puts the empty plate back in the refrigerator. Closes the door and heads back to the table. Dexter stays behind eating his gourmet snack. 

Vinnie climbs into his chair, “Where were we when the game got interrupted?”

Vinnie’s dad is happy to get out of a conservation where he was losing ground faster than a bob sled going downhill. “Uh, I’ll think about what you said, Dear. You make a good point. Vinnie, I asked you how we would know when the game ends.”

“Right, Dad. I told you it never ends. You just had a memory fail, Dad. Never mind, I’ll pick a hard question for Mom. If it’s too hard, Mom, I’ll put it back and keep pulling one out until you think you can answer it,” says Vinnie giving his mom his best helpful look. 

Vinnie’s mom rolls her eyes and watches Vinnie stick his hand in his lunch box and squirrel it around. Vinnie pulls out a folded piece of paper. He carefully unfolds it and shows it to Rupert, “Do you think this is a good question for Mom, Rupert?”

Vinnie shakes Rupert so Rupert’s head moves. Vinnie’s mom silently prays, “Lord, we’d try for another child, but what if she was a he and he was a Vinnie clone? It is too much for any human to bear.”

8 Year Old Vinnie Returns Monday

Wondering What Vinnie Is Up to? Vinnie’s Dad attempts to tell Vinnie the facts of life. Bad move – LOL