the fairytales and other stories

Pumpkin Seeds

"What does your story start with?" she asked, leaning on Noelle, who was typing hesitantly.

"Pumpkin seeds," Noelle answered, mostly because Naomi had pumpkin seeds waiting on the counter and she wanted to remind her.

"Pumpkin seeds?" Naomi laughed. "What kind of story starts with pumpkin seeds?" But she got up and got her pumpkin seeds.

"Yes, every good story starts with pumpkin seeds."

"Does not. Cinderella starts with the mom dying and the evil stepmother and stepsisters moving in."

"I sure do want to start on that note," Noelle said sarcastically, typing faster and faster. She was one of those people who could type faster than anything in the world if she was passionate enough. "Besides, Cinderella has pumpkins in it." Naomi made a face.

"These aren't pumpkin seeds." They were, in fact, pumpkin seeds.

"Yes, they are."

"No, they aren't."

"Yes, they are."

"Well, I don't like them. I want some chocolate chips."

"You can finish your lunch." Noelle offered.

"No! It's gross!"

"It's pizza."

"I hate pizza."

"Since when?"

"Since forever. I want chocolate chips." Naomi protested, already standing and walking to the kitchen.

"No." Naomi stopped.

"Fine, then I wanna hear your story."

"Double no."

"Fine, then I'll put a bonnet on the dog." And so Naomi ran off to find a bonnet. Noelle still typed away. Her story sucked. It didn't even start with pumpkin seeds. Maybe it would end with them.

"That would be nice," Noelle murmured.

"What? What would be nice?" Naomi had returned, bonnet in hand.

"Things."

"What kinds of things?"

"Good kinds."

"What good kinds?"

"The dog needs a bonnet." Noelle reminded her. Naomi set the bonnet on the dog and tied it under his chin.

"He's cute." Noelle nodded her agreement. He was. The dog shook his head.

"Take the bonnet off." Naomi took the bonnet off.

"Maybe he'll eat my not-pumpkin seeds." She tossed the seeds at the dog. He was not interested. He curled up and hoped that no one would think about him until they had a good snack. Then he fell asleep.