A Quick Test Drive

"Typical Dinner At Home"

"Pass the green beans," Mikey said as we sat around our rectangular glass table. We were cramped into this apartment. Yet we could still fit all of our many belongings. I passed him the green beans. 

There were two large pieces of chicken on my plate. One didn't look very appetizing, with little red spots. I looked down. Smiling up at me was Daisy, our mini lab. I pulled a bit of bone out of the chicken and dropped it to her. She chomped it down in one bite.

"Mom!" Leila called from the other side of the table. "Stop feeding Daisy!"

"I agree," Nina said. "Daisy's going to get sick. Remember when she ate to much of that steak?" She took the platter of chicken and scooped some onto her plate with a sigh. Daisy looked up at me hopefully, licking her lips. I shook my head. We sat in utter silence, with the occasional "nice beans, Mom." 

"Awkward," Leila whispered, trying to break the tension.

"So, how was everyone's day?" Mikey asked, picking up on his little sister's hint. 

"It was fine," Nina said quickly. "We got three new customers. Most of the oldies though."

My day had been splendid. I had spent it at the park with Daisy, tossing her gooey, slobbery ball for her to catch in mid-air. 

"My day," Leila said confidently, "was lovely. I played tic tac toe with Peter and the new kid after school! We also played frisbee and I even got to play with the older kids!" Her face was of pure happiness. I loved this girl. 

"My day was, well, you know, school is school." Mikey have this answer almost every night. I sidehugged him. 

"Tell us something good. And close your mouth when you talk." He laughed.

"Of course," he said, lemon juice dripping down his chin. Leila stabbed him with her foot under the table. "Hey!" he said and poked her back.

"Guys..." I warned. "Be nice."

Nina looked at me. "You've has a hard day, haven't you?" She spoke softly, so only I could hear. Mikey and Leila were two distracted poking each other to notice. 

"No," I answered. "My day was lovely." She looked me hard in the eye.

"I know something happened. Just leave whatever it is for now, at least without the kids." I understood. Now was not a good time to bring up that I had almost gotten Daisy run over by a car. 

"Of course," I said, excitedly, watching the siblings stab each other's feet and giggle. "Anyone up for tonight's pun and riddle contest?" Nina smiled. I knew she was always up for these. "Nina and I will judge. Who's going first?" 

Both hands shot into the air. "Mikey," Nina said. "As I saw your hand go up first, Leila will do the dishes tonight." 

"Awww," Leila whined, but dragged herself up anyways.

"Hmmm," Mikey said, hopefully conjuring a riddle that would win this competition.