Nine Times.

Originally written 10.19.2012 Writings from my universe. Family dinner.

Lizzie regretted the decision almost immediately.

As the two families sat down to dinner, an awkward silence settled into the room like an unwelcome house guest.

Her father attempted to coerce the unwelcome house guest out of the room with a half-hearted “So, how was everyone’s day?”

Mumbles of good, fine, and okay bounced around the room. The unwelcome house guest seemed to be practically cackling at the uncomfortable situation. A few more brave souls attempted to get a conversation going, but no subject stuck. It looked like the entire dinner was going to be as bland conversationally as water crackers until Teddy opened his mouth.

“So,” he said, nibbling on a piece of flatbread, “Cassie, I hear you’re an artist?”

Cassie nodded, excited to begin talking about her passion.

“Yeah, I’m a fine artist. I plan to study it in college.”

“What college are you planning to attend?”

“Well, I was looking at the west coast, but then I visited Pratt and I loved it!”

With his head tilted in wonder at the coincidence, he replied “My girlfriend went to Pratt!”

A series of gasps found their way around the room, bumping into each other and running into corners. Suddenly, an explosion of foreign language occurred, growing in loudness and excitement with every word. Lizzie made the correct assumption, from what she could gather, that it was not common knowledge that Teddy had a girlfriend.

After much shh-ing and several dirty looks, the commotion finally settled to a calm.

Teddy turned, and facing Lizzie, asked “Did you catch any of that? You have been studying the language.”

Lizzie cocked an eyebrow and muttered, “I heard you cuss 5 times.”

Without hesitation, Teddy responded, ” I cussed 9 times, but it’s okay, you’re improving!”