The Flounder Family: Chapter 1

Chapter One

Jettison’s Tough Day

Jettison really had no intention of locking his keys in the trunk of the car, it was just one of those things that just sort of happens.  His wife, Dove, didn’t see it that way.

“What were you thinking?  Who puts their keys in the trunk in the first place?”

“I didn’t put them there, they fell in.  They were in my shirt pocket and when I was shoving the milk in the back – you know how you’ve got to shove things all the way to the back or nothing else will fit, well, they must’ve just slipped out when I wasn’t looking.”

“Or thinking.  Keys go in a purse or in a pants pocket – not in a shirt pocket.  Lord help us, you’re over thirty now…these things aren’t that hard!”

“What’s the problem?”  Bensen Jensen was Dove’s older brother and as he lived just down the street he had a habit of dropping by - often. “Don’t tell me my little love-birds are having a spat?”  Two pairs of eyes glared while Bensen smiled back in undisturbed equanimity.  ”Don’t forget, I am the one who brought you two together.  I feel responsible, in a way.  After all, you have two children to think of.  Poor Tasha and Kiddo would be so hurt to hear you argue.”

As if on cue, Tasha appeared at the door.  “Not really.  After all Daddy’s right.  Things do just happen and no one should get blamed.  Keys could just fall in a trunk…just like glasses could just slip down the garbage disposal.”

Dove rolled her eyes and turned away while Jettison winked at his daughter. Bensen moved toward the refrigerator, opened the door, and pulled out a cold can of coke.  “Oh, good, it’s not the diet.  Why you had the diet, I cannot imagine.  They taste awful and you don’t really lose any weight drinking them.”

“Your not supposed to lose weight, uncle, just not gain any.”  Tasha turned toward her mother.  “Have you seen Kiddo?  I told him I’d walk him to the store this afternoon, but I can’t find him anywhere.”

Jettison sat down and pulled a candy dish in his direction.  He started to unwrap a mint very slowly as if he meant to keep the wrapper. Finally, he popped the mint in his mouth and spoke up.  “Last time I saw him, he was out back.”

Dove scowled.  “I hope he stays out of the mud.  You forgot to get grass seed I suppose?  That mess where they dug up the gas line will be an eye sore until you get some grass growing.”

“I got the grass seed, and everything else on the list…and when I get the trunk open, I’ll get them out.  Until then, I suggest you find your keys.”

“You know my keys have been missing since October.  How I ever survived that night I’ll never know.”  Suddenly Dove’s eyes widened.  “Do you mean to say that the milk and the cheese and…everything is still in the trunk of the car?”

Bensen opened his arms in benediction.  “Just be glad it’s been a cold March!”

Suddenly a splatter of drops hit the window and Tasha ran to the back door.  “I think I found Kiddo.  But what he’s doing is anybody’s guess!  Reenacting Noah, maybe?”

Jettison, Dove, Tasha, followed by Bensen, ran out to the yard where a small boy was holding a hose high in the air while a spray of water blew in every direction and muddy pools seeped across the yard.  “Hi Mom. Isn’t this cool!  I’m practicing the water cycle.  It should rain tomorrow!”

There was a unison of voices speaking at the same moment, “He’s your son!”