The Coat Incident

The Coat Incident

“James! Your coat! We need to leave!”

“I can’t find it,” James yelled.

“Dad probably stuck it in the closet.”

“I’m in the closet, it’s not here… It’s been stolen.”

“Why would anyone steal your coat?”

“It’s a great coat! All my friends liked it.”

“They liked your coat?” Mom said, standing outside the closet. “Why? It’s just like every other kid’s coat.”

“No, not any more. I fixed it.”

“You fixed your coat… how?”

“I fixed it to be better! Everybody has a coat, but mine’s better!”

“How?”

“I painted it.”

“Huh? Where did you get the paint?”

There was a bucket near the door.”

“What! Our door?!”

“Yes. I knew you saved it for me, so I painted my coat.”

“Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t I see it?”

“Well, it was wet so I left it in the garage to dry, and this morning we were late so I just grabbed it quick. I forgot all about the paint till I got to school even!”

“And your father never said anything?”

“No, Dad just talks about silly things on the way to school, and I didn’t put it on till we got to school.”

“Well, did he say anything when he picked you up?”

“Oh! I left it at school! Now I remember, it was hot out so I just left it at school!”

“Well, we can go pick it up now. The custodians will let us in. Wear your old one.”

“Why? I’ll have my painted one in five minutes.”

“No, I want to save your painted one for Dad…”

“It won’t fit him!”

“No, but it fits me to show it to him at suppertime…” Mom said.

“Will I ever understand grown-ups?”

“No,” Mom laughed, “Not until you’re married with kids of your own.”