Tag: short story

26

Vinnie’s Mom and Dad sit on the sofa watching a Netflix romantic comedy. Vinnie’s mom touches Vinnie’s dad’s arm, “This is a good movie. Thanks for choosing it. You usually go for those weird sci fi movies or thrillers. I can’t stand them.”

“You’ve had a rough day. Besides, I like romantic comedies,” says Vinnie’s dad who hasn’t paid a bit of attention to the movie. 

“Vinnie’s been very quiet. Why don’t you check up on him. He’s up to something,” says Vinnie’s mom.

“He’s fine. I told him to make an outline of his science fair project before doing anything. Let’s enjoy the movie. What could go wrong?” asks Vinnie’s dad.

Vinnie’s mom snuggles closer to Vinnie’s dad. “Thanks, Dear.”

Blam, boom, bang the rapid sounds of explosions come from the kitchen followed by, “Wow, that was awesome. Now, we’ll try the turkey hotdogs.”

Vinnie’s mom presses pause on the remote. She looks at Vinnie’s dad, “What could go wrong? Is that what you said? I am not going to clean up . . .”

Boom, bam, boom, three more explosions occur nearly simultaneously. Vinnie says, “Rupert, did you see that? The turkey hotdogs almost knocked the door off the microwave. You and Dexter can lick the turkey hotdogs off the walls.”

“Oh no. You’ve got to stop him. The kitchen must be a disaster. I am not cleaning it. The smell. I can smell the hotdogs in here. We need to air out the house. I won’t be able to sleep tonight unless the house is aired out.”

“Vinnie are you okay,” hollers his dad.

“You’re missing the greatest experiment ever, Dad. Hold on. I’m putting the tofu hotdogs in the microwave.”

The microwave door slams shut. Vinnie’s mom and dad hear a beeping sound indicating the microwave is starting. Vinnie’s mom says, “Are you going to sit here and do nothing?”

“Un huh. I don’t want to get hot dog waste all over my new Nike’s,” says Vinnie’s dad.

“You belong in third grade with Vinnie,” says Vinnie’s mom.

Before Vinnie’s dad can answer, three more rapid explosions happen. 

“That was the best one yet. They only lasted 20 seconds. Can I lift Dexter and stick his head in the microwave. He wants to clean it up,” asks Vinnie.

“Say something,” says Vinnie’s mom to Vinnie’s dad.

“Okay. Vinnie, do you know what makes the hotdogs explode? Make a guess.”

“I didn’t want you to turn this into a lesson. I don’t want him to accidentally microwave Dexter,” says Vinnie’s mom.

“Are you guys hungry? I can scrap some hot dogs off the kitchen counter before I put Dexter on the counter. Let me check my notebook, Dad. I made notes before I started. Dexter, here, lick this page. Thanks, Buddy.”

“How will I live through this?” asks Vinnie’s mom.

“What did you discover, Vinnie?” asks Vinnie’s dad.

“The first thing I learned, Dad, was Dexter likes all the hotdogs. Everything looks really clean. Dexter licked out the microwave, the countertop, the floor, and the wall on the opposite side of the kitchen from the microwave.”

“I am not going into that kitchen until you disinfect it,” says Vinnie’s mom squeezing the breath out of the remote.

“Dad, did you know the hotdogs with the most water and sodium exploded first? This a great finding. I’m going to do this experiment again tomorrow. Can Joey come over and watch the hotdogs explode?”

“No. Get ready for bed,” calls Vinnie’s mom.