Daily Flash Fiction Challenge

Mom’s Watch

Mom stood in the kitchen doorway. She hadn’t spoken for the several minutes she’d been there, her eyes slowly looking around.

Jeremy stood at the back door; he had been coming in. At the threshold, he’d stopped to check his shoes for dirt. Mom hated when he walked in with dirty shoes. Just as he looked up from them, Mom had walked in, thinking everything was fine he almost took another step, but then she stopped short, and start scanning the kitchen. So, he stopped too!

As she scanned every inch of the room, Jeremy started scanning his own brain. ‘Did I leave something out? Did I make a mess?’ he started panicking, though he couldn’t remember doing, or seeing anything that would upset her.

As he stood there, sweat started dripping down his neck. What could he have done? He went over every minute of the day, so far nothing. But now it was more than five minutes and she was still standing there, glancing around the room.

Suddenly he couldn’t stand it anymore! He had to know what he did! He had to just get it over with! He spoke, “Mom? What did I do?”

Mom jumped a mile, and clasped her hand over her heart! “Jeremy Cane, stop looking at me, you scared me to death!” she said, harshly! “Don’t ever sneak up on me!”

Confused, Jeremy said, “I’ve been here the whole time. I thought you were mad at me!”

“For what?”

“I don’t know. You were so quiet!”

Mom suddenly burst into laughter. “I was trying to remember where I left my watch! I didn’t even see you till you talked! You scared the crap out of me!”

It turned out to be a very good day for them both. Jermery even found her watch!