Myshuno! 2012 Prompt: “House sitting” (225 words)
The prompt for this story was “House sitting,” submitted by hbcirce. This story fits in between Chapters 24 and 25 of Already in Progress.
Rating: G
Dramatis Personae
Harkon Littledragon, age seventeen.
Amethyst “Amy” Littledragon, his no-nonsense mother.
Setting
The family kitchen. Amy has just finished washing dishes, and she dries her hands as she turns to Harkon as he enters.
AMY: Did you stop by the elementary school on recess?
HARKON: Mo-om! I’m not in elementary school!
AMY: On lunch, then?
HARKON: Yes, I went across the street on lunch.
AMY: And were you able to give Nirel the key?
HARKON: (peering in the fridge) Is that what his name is? I knew it started with an N.
AMY: Who did you give the key to?
HARKON: I got there when the little kid’s recess was over, so I gave the envelope to the secretary. (closes the fridge) I couldn’t remember the first name, so I wrote “N. Couderc” on it. Can’t be too many of those.
AMY: You didn’t tell her what was in the envelope, did you?
HARKON: (rolls his eyes) Yeah, Mom. I said “Here’s the key to our house and instructions for feeding the cat and watering the plants for the little kid who’s going to be watching our house while we’re away for the week. Did I mention that we’re going to be gone for a whole week?” And then I gave her our address.
AMY: Don’t get smart. And Nirel’s mother says he’s very responsible for a ten-year-old.
HARKON: Okay. Hey, can I call the matchmaker?
AMY: Again?
HARKON (wheedlingly): You know Dad wants grandbabies.
AMY: Fine. But make it a midpriced date, and send him home before six!