Page 138 of Tiers of Joy

“Why? What happened in 98?” Flynn asks, looking back and forth between us.

“It was a dark day in the world of board games.” Sally starts.

“No. Sally don’t. You don’t have to tell him.” I plead.

“It’s okay Esme. He has a right to know, we are in a relationship after all.” Sally sighs.

I see Gaige fight a smile. Just wait, I think to myself. You will not be smiling at the end of this.

“It was a Saturday in autumn. It was beautiful, orange and red leaves had fallen to the ground.” Sally says dramatically, standing next to the fireplace.

“We were in pairs playing and I was with Elliott. I had a crush on him and I couldn’t have been happier to be paired with him.” Sally smiles.

“My mistake was thinking that it was a good pairing. He was awful at it. His drawing were sub-par at best. I mean, I’ve seen a toddler draw better. His pencil was blunt. He was too busy thinking he was funny and just wouldn’t focus on the game.” Sally sighs and shakes her head.

Gaige’s shoulder are shaking with silent laughter and so are Flynn’s.

“I was, of course, on top form. It wasn’t enough. We were losing. I kept on top of my game. My pencil was razor sharp, making sure I had clear and precise lines. Then it happened. Elliot was up and if we got this we would take the lead.” She draws in a long breath.

“But I couldn’t tell what Elliot was drawing. It was a mess. Was it a hissing snake, a stick, a lasso? I just couldn’t guess. All of the other kids were laughing. Of course I knew what it looked like, but I also knew this was child Pictionary and not the R-rated version. In pure frustration and anger at being mocked, I threw my pencil at Elliot. I threw it hard.” Sally admits.

Gaige and Flynn wipe the tears that are falling down their faces.

“So what happened next?” Gaige asks.

“I swear, I swear that I didn’t mean to hurt him in any way. I swear. But the pencil was deadly sharp. When I threw it, it acted like a javelin soaring and landing with speed and force.” Sally states sadly.

I wince.

“Oh god.”

Gaige and Flynn look to me and back to Sally.

“Where did it land?” Flynn and Gaige ask, their laughter ceasing.

“It landed like a harpoon straight in his penis.” Sally sighs, shaking her head.

“Ooooh shit!” Both Flynn and Gaige cry, cupping their crotch.

“Yeah, he had to go to hospital to have it removed. Poor Elliot.” Sally sighs.

“That’s not all of it. He was ridiculed for it throughout the rest of school and college. He was never called Elliot again.” Sally adds.

“What was he called?” Flynn asks.

Sally pauses and looks at me.

“Pencil Dick. PD for short.” Sally answers.

Gaige and Flynn burst out laughing. I bite my lip to stop myself from laughing.

“That’s it, laugh it up. That poor kid was known as pencil dick for the rest of his life because of my actions during Pictionary. I’m a monster. He could never get laid in college because not everyone knew the story. Most girls genuinely thought he had a pencil dick!” Sally exclaims.

Flynn reaches for Sally and pulls her onto his lap, still laughing.

“Well you may be a monster but you’re my monster. Just remind me never to make you mad when you have stationary in your hand.” Flynn smirks.

Sally is about to fly off of the handle at him but he moves quickly, kissing her to shut her up.

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