Page 50 of His Middle

He got so excited, he accidentally tipped the plate too much and chicken bones went sliding off and hit the floor. His mouth made a small ‘o’. His ‘tatoes seemed farther out of reach than ever.

“Uh-oh.” He chanced a peek at Daddy. “It was an accident.”

Daddy wiped his lips with his napkin. “I know, buddy. But you have to clean it up.”

Noah let out an exaggerated sigh. “Okaaaay.”

After Noah had quickly taken care of his mess, he was rewarded with a big scoop of mash. He shoveled in the salty, buttery mound as quickly as he could. Arlen had already finished his dinner and Daddy was starting to clear the table. He wanted to be all done so he could have a pudding cup.

When Daddy came back to the table and retrieved the plate that held the ravaged chicken carcass, Noah held up his plate again. “Look, Daddy! All gone!”

Daddy accepted his dish with a smile. “Good job, buddy.” As he took both plates to the sink he asked, “Are you boys ready for a pudding cup now?”

Both he and Arlen yelled out a hearty ‘yes!’ in response.

Daddy opened the refrigerator door. “What kind would you like? There’s chocolate and banana.”

Noah scrunched up his nose.Banana? Was Daddy crazy?

“Chocolate, please.” He didn’t think Daddy would appreciate his pudding flavor opinions.

“I’ll have banana, Mr. Peterson.”

Noah covered his face. “Blech.” Why did his best friend eat such gross things?

Arlen gave him a scowl then instantly smiled when Daddy turned around with their desserts and two spoons. He handed them the cups then went back to taking care of the dirty dishes.

Noah ripped the cover off his pudding. “Faker,” he whispered to Arlen.

“You’re a faker,” Arlen whispered back.

“Am not.” Noah stuck out his chocolatey tongue. “You’re a double faker.”

Arlen opened his mouth wide, showing off a giant glob of disgusting, banana pudding that was perched on his tongue.

“Eew! That’s nasty!”

Daddy shut off the water in the sink and whipped around. “What’s going on, you two?”

Arlen sucked his tongue back in so fast, the spoonful of pudding landed with a plop on his shirt. Noah busted out laughing, pointing at Arlen while trying not to fall off the chair in hysterics.

“Bwahahahaha! You lost your pudding, you lost your pudding!” Noah sing-songed.

Daddy came over with some paper towels and handed the sheets to Arlen. He put his hands on his hips and narrowed his eyes at Noah.

“That’s enough out of you, unless you want me to take the rest of your pudding away?”

Noah snapped his jaw shut and shook his head vigorously. No. He didnotwant that to happen. Daddy didn’t give out desserts every day, so each one was very precious.

Daddy gave a decisive dip of his chin. “Good. Finish up your pudding while I rinse off the rest of these dishes. Then it’ll be time for Arlen to go home.”

Noah was about to protest, but then his gaze was captured by Daddy’s rounded, muscular butt as he made his way back to the kitchen sink. He dragged his tongue along the bowl of the spoon, slowly lapping up a mouthful of pudding. Maybe it was a good idea for Arlen to go home after all. Watching Daddy’s rear while he loaded the dishes into the dishwasher had him thinking about things unrelated to Mario Kart.

Arlen stretched then scooted back his chair. “I’d better get going, Mr. Peterson. Thank you for having me over.”

Daddy turned around, smiling and wiping his hands on one of the kitchen towels. “You’re welcome, Arlen. I hope you come back soon.”

As soon as Arlen rose from his chair, Noah also jumped up so he could race his friend to the den where Arlen had left his things. They called each other a few, no big deal names, then Daddy broke everything up so they could say goodbye nicely as they walked Arlen to the front door.

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