Clean-up

Flash Fiction

Clean Up

“Andrea! I told you to clean this up before I got back from the grocery store!” Mom yelled from the kitchen.

Andrea ran in, stopping short when she got to the doorway.

“Well,” Mom said, “What do you have to say for yourself? You didn’t even start!”

“They did it again…” Andrea said, quietly.

“They who? You were supposed to clean this kitchen! You’re the one who made the mess, you’re the one who needs to clean it up.”

“I… What?” Andrea said, sounding outraged.

“This mess…” Mom said, again sternly. “There are only two of us in this house. I know for a fact that I didn’t do it, that leaves you. Stop playing, and clean it up!” Mom stomped out of the room.

Andrea frowned, then got angry, “Come out this instance!”

“What’s a instance? Is it food?” came a small voice from under the stove.

“How many times have I told you two, you can’t leave a mess in the kitchen!”

“Do we get a cookie if we get the answer right?”

“You don’t get it do you? I’m not cleaning up for you anymore, you’re grown-ups! You have to clean up all the messes you make so Mom won’t see them!”

“Oh, we forgot!! Sorry…” two puffs of smokey air came out from under the stove. Suddenly the kitchen was perfectly clean. The puffs quickly went back under the stove.

“Who are you talking to!” Mom said as she walked into the kitchen again, stopping short at the sight of the clean kitchen.

“Hi Mom!” Andrea quickly said, “I’m making lunch. Do you want a sandwich?”

“Ah… I think I need to go lay down…” Mom said, leaving the room.

“Are we friends again?” came a tiny voice from under the stove.

“I’m thinking about it…”