Throughout the month of March, I am participating in the Slice of Life Story Challenge. I am happy to co-host this event with the team at Two Writing Teachers. Everyone is welcome!
"Amy sent me an interesting text," I said to my family. We were in the car heading to a special restaurant with about forty minutes left in the drive. "It involves what you say yes to and what you say no to."
"I don't get it."
"Huh?"
"Here goes Mom again."
"I don't get it either."
"I'll start," I said. "I'm going for three yes's and three no's."
Car confusion continued.
"Yes to card games with family members," I said. "Especially hearts. Yes to watching other people play Blackjack at casinos. No to playing myself. Yes to warm chocolate chip cookies--warm chocolate anything, actually. No to Oreos unless they're soaked in vanilla ice cream. And no to push-up unmentionables." (If you don't know what unmentionables are, go read Dawn Sherriff's posts. They are hysterical.)
By the time I was finished, there was less confusion and more clarity. "I'll go," Garth said.
"Yes to yoga, early morning beach walks, all sports. No to dirty sinks, liver, and definitely no to oysters." (Garth throws up when he has oysters which is unfortunate for him. Oysters are a yes for me.)
By the time Cecily, Clare, and my mom went, everyone had a lot of yes's and no's. We all agreed on some no's-- mean people, following too closely, phones at the table, soul-baring on Facebook. I loved the mutual yes's as well: Eggs Benedict, strong coffee, extra showers if they're because of ocean swims, and Broadway shows were among some memorable yes's.
Our lists led to a great conversation about what's important (and what's not), making the car ride seem shorter than it was.
Happy Slicing,
I love these unexpected conversations. The initial confusion tonthe getting it. This is a keeper- a trick to add to the time passing bag. I enjoyed reading the responses and the connections made.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun game for family car rides. I love how you captured the groans of your kids! It seems like they turned around once playing the game.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome, Melanie. You bring us in with this confusion that intrigues us all, making us want to read on. Love the four lines of dialogue toward the beginning...and 'car confusion.' You've definitely got humor down :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this game and giving me a sneak-peak in how it sounds. I think I'll play it with my homeroom class!
ReplyDeleteGreat way to get a conversation going. And I love that the yeses and nos led to agreement about universal nos. I'm going to steal this game and play it with my family on our annual beach trip.
ReplyDeleteLove this - would make a good quick write, too. I foresee using this at home and school :)
ReplyDeleteI'll play. yes to dog hugs, ice cream cones and sandy toes. no to ... unmade beds.
ReplyDeleteOh ... I am going to try that for sure -- it might even work with teenage boys! Many of our yeses match - no surprise. And I love the unmentionable posts you highlighted!
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