The Shy Driver

Conflicts and Resolutions

Morning arrived with an alarming shout.

"CARTER!"

"Unghhhhh! Just a minute, Lorraine?" Fluttershy called out, yawning. "I...just need to wash off in the bathroom."

Carter's eyes shot open with fright at the sound. Normally he was a heavy sleeper, always late to the day's events, but that shout had him jumping up like a cat poked with a broomstick. Neither he nor Fluttershy were in good shape. They both were a bit sore from such a long sleep.

Carter elected to use the bathroom, while Fluttershy grabbed a washcloth and a bar of soap, and flew out the window to the backyard, where she'd use the garden hose to wash off instead.

Carter washed up, before slipped on some new boxers and a new shirt with a picture of New York on it. Fluttershy set the garden hose to a shower mode and opened the valve half way for medium power. After about fifteen minutes, Fluttershy was cleaned up – and she had a sudden thought: if she was clothes-free like this, why weren't her new family clothes-free like her? Who was in the wrong? Little did she realize that Lorraine would sort this out soon enough.

Once Carter and Fluttershy had finished washing up, they proceeded down the stairs...and saw Lorraine waiting for them, her arms crossed and wearing a frown.

"Let's get this over with," Fluttershy whispered, and stroked his hand with her wing for reassurance.

"I...can explain," Carter began.

"I'm listening," Lorraine said in a voice that was almost reminiscent of a lion's growl.

Carter spilled the lemon juice in the same way that he had with Fluttershy. Then he logged into Facebook on his smartphone, scrolled to the threat, and held it up for his mom to observe. "See? Totally legit. I have been accused, and I need to clear myself before it's too late."

Lorraine put her hand to his chin and huffed – in a doubtful way. "How do you plan to do this?"

"Head down and talk with the school principal, Mr. Connor, in a clear and decisive manner."

Lorraine sighed and nodded. Carter rushed back upstairs, gathered up a few papers, slipped on a pair of shoes, and dashed out the door, but Fluttershy flew out and ran up to him, skidding to a stop.

"Well...um...I..."

"I'll be okay, Fluttershy, I'll be back! I promise!" Carter spilled the words out quickly before he ran off down the road.

Fluttershy nodded sadly, and waved her friend good-bye, who in turn, flashed her a smile.

________________

In the school office, Carter took out a pen and paper, pulled up the Facebook post, and sat down in front of the principal.

"Tell me the story. Will you tell the truth?"

"Yes, sir," Carter replied, balling his hands into fists to stop them shaking.

Carter then cleared his throat. "It was just before lunch break. Class had finished early. At my school there's this group of bullies who always pick on, beat up, and demand lunch money from the younger kids and others whom they deem unworthy of living. I slipped into the hall of the lower grades for the girls to avoid them as I headed to the back hall to eat lunch. All of a sudden I heard a slip and crash sound from one of the empty classrooms, followed by crying. I walked over and peeked in. There was a young girl who had slipped and fallen on the classroom floor while reaching for her lunch bag. I took pity on her and wiped the slippery stuff off the floor. Now, when I reflect back, it looked like it hadn't been there for much longer than a quarter of an hour."