a series of sbi oneshots

spy mission!

Mommy and Daddy have a lot of weird friends. They always come with funny lumps under their jackets and talk to Mommy and Daddy. Once one of them came and then they all had to move and Tommy got a new name and he had to pretend to be Ollie Smith for a really long time. 

But now his name is Tommy, and another one of Mommy and Daddy’s weird friends is at the door. Mommy and Daddy aren’t home right now though, they told Tommy not to answer the door, but their friend kept knocking, and he started sounding really mad. So Tommy opened it. 

The weird man has blue eyes, like Tommy, they’re really pretty. 

“Hi,” Tommy says. 

The weird man blinks at him again, he looks really surprised, like when Mommy and Daddy threw a surprise party for Tommy and his eyes got really big and his smile got really big. The weird man doesn’t have a big smile. He has a weird one. 

“Hello,” he says, slowly crouching down. “What’s your name?” 

“Tommy,” Tommy says. “What’s yours?” 

“I’m Phil,” Phil says, “its nice to meet you Tommy.” 

“You too,” Tommy says. Phil doesn’t sound angry now, but he’s not sure. “Are you mad?” 

“Oh,” Phil says softly, “no, darling, not at you. I thought your parents were home.” 

“Are you mad at them?” Tommy asks. 

Phil laughs, but it isn’t a very happy laugh. “A little bit,” he says, “but its okay, we’ll work it out. You don’t need to worry.” 

“Are they in big trouble?” Tommy asks. 

“Yes,” Phil says, “very big trouble I’m afraid. But you’re not.” 

“Oh,” Tommy says, “good. I don’t like being in trouble.” 

“Are they mean when you’re in trouble?” Phil asks. 

Tommy bites his lip. Mommy and Daddy said not to say that they were mean, or that they hurt him, it could get them in trouble. All of their weird friends always ask if Tommy is okay though. Their weird friends are really nice to Tommy. Still, he knows the right answer. He shakes his head. 

“I think,” Phil says, “that you’re lying to me. Your father was never very good at keeping ahold of his temper.” 

Tommy takes a step back. Daddy doesn’t like it when he lies. 

“Oh, its alright,” Phil says, “I’m not mad. Sometimes we have to tell lies, I understand that better than anyone else, believe me. Can I come in, Tommy?” 

Tommy nods and backs out of the doorway. Mommy and Daddy’s weird friends come in all the time. 

“Thanks sweetheart,” Phil says, closing the door behind himself. “Are your parents home?” 

Tommy shakes his head. 

“Do you have a babysitter?” Phil asks, looking at Tommy all weird. 

“No,” Tommy says, taking his fingers out of his mouth, “I’m a big man.” 

Phil snorts like he doesn’t believe that. Tommy scowls at him, “I am! I’m the biggest ever!”