Good Friend

Flash Fiction

Good Friend

Going to school for “Family Night.” Mom required us to go with her and Dad. “We need to support the school. I’ll only be in on these school things until Tim graduates; I don’t want to let my co-parents down!” Basically, an ultimatum.

I graduated from Rolly two years earlier. Tim, still a junior, and bored stiff with school. But you have to make your mother happy, I told Tim if he didn’t go, I’d tell her about him sneaking out Saturday nights to goof off with friends. It worked; I’ve always been good at handling my “baby” brother.

As we wandered around, waiting to join Tim’s class’s, parents and teachers, we came to the hall of art work. ‘Past and Present’ the sign said.

“Wait till you see this one!” Tim yelled, ahead of us since he could care less about artwork.

Walking over there was a painting, not wonderful, actually funny. It was of a kid climbing out of the upstairs window of a house, while a carload of boys and girls were waiting to sneak her away.

The “kid” was me. The minute I saw it I knew it was my drawing from when I was a junior! I used to sneak out every time my parents said no. The house looked just like ours, because it was! And worse, my signature was on the bottom! Tim stood in front of my name, wiggling his nose, as our parents came over. I could tell; this was blackmail…

He shut up. The code for saying “I know you did this…” And suddenly things changed.

He said, “And look at that one!” pointing across the hall, off they walked.

We had a much better relationship after that. Tim stopped being my ‘baby brother,’ and started being a good friend.