Family Night Out

By Meg O'Brien

Tonight my family is at our favorite pizza place, the first time we’ve eaten dinner together in three weeks. Once the server takes our order, I’m ready to talk about my neat science experiments. Mostly I want someone to listen to me.

Before I can open my mouth, Mom and Dad pull out their phones and begin texting. Oh, no. What could be so important? Gossip? Sports? Work stuff? Both laugh and quickly reply, not just once. My brother and sister do the same. Some family night out.

I sit alone and lonely. I hate smart phones. They make me invisible.