Howdy ho, neighbors!

Hope your weekend went well. On Friday, I went to check out the new Neofuturists play, which was fun, and yesterday I nerded it up and played some D&D with some nice folks I met on Craigslist. Which was also fun. Very, very nerdy, but fun.

Today, tired from the rest of the weekend, I slept.

Big Happy Funhouse had another story contest last week, and unlike last time, I actually wrote a story for it. Not unlike last time, it didn’t win, but here it is for you to read anyway.

“Mama, please,” said Christina, folding her arms and trying to look dignified. Mama wouldn’t stop laughing. “Please, Mama…”

“Oh Christina, my darling, it’s so funny,” Mama said in Spanish, laughing and trying to cover her face. “I can’t wait until your father gets home. He’s going to be so proud. You’re such a smart girl.”

“Please, Mama,” Christina begged quietly. “They’re trying to take the picture.”

“Mrs. Ramos, could you move a little to the left please?” said the man with the camera. He and the man with the notepad were getting a little frustrated.

“A la izquierda, Mama. Por favor, Mama,” whispered Christina in Mama’s ear. Mama didn’t speak any English, and was smiling and laughing to herself, covering her face to try and keep it straight. She finally heard Christina and stepped to the left.

“Oh-Kay,” Mama told the men loudly. Only Christina noticed the funny look the two men passed between them, like Mama had said something strange. Christina’s face felt warm. She struggled to hold the dignified pose.

The camera clicked a few more times, and then the man with the camera stood up. The man with the notepad walked over to Christina and Mama. “I think we got it,” he said. “We should have it in by tomorrow. Congratulations again on your essay, Christina. I really enjoyed it,” and he shook her hand, one writer to another. Christina smiled slightly, but felt like she was filled with warm air, like she would float off the ground at any moment. She finally let go, and Mama swooped in and grabbed the man’s hand away, still ecstatic.

“Gracias, gracias, senor! Thank you sir, thank you,” said Mama in thick and fast Spanish as she pumped the man’s hand. “Good luck with your newspaper! Thank you for coming!”

“Right,” answered the man, flustered. “Nice to meet you. Have a nice day.” He backed off and then turned, got in the car with the photographer and was gone. Mama waved like a maniac as they backed out of the driveway. Christina wondered how the picture had come out, if the kids at school would make fun of her tomorrow.

“So amazing, Christina! You should have told me about this contest sooner!” Mama turned back to hug her as they walked back inside the house. “Those men were from the newspapers! I’m so proud of you, daughter! Wait until your father gets home!”

“Si, mama,” Christina sighed, holding her arms at her sides while Mama hugged her shoulders.

“You’re such a good girl, Christina! I love you so much!” said Mama, almost in tears of happiness as she kissed Christina’s head.

“I love you, too,” answered Christina. “Te quiero tambien, Mama.”