By Marc Littman
Big brother Jake perches on the garage roof, flapping his cardboard wings. “A bumblebee shouldn’t fly, but that doesn’t stop him,” Jake says, dismissing my fears. “Tilt the fan so I get an updraft.”
Reluctantly, I comply, half thinking Jake will fly.
Jake snorts, steeling himself for takeoff. A twitching eye belies his fear. He shuffles and then yanks a bare foot up for inspection.
“Aw, nuts. Stepped in gum. Probably yours, maggot.”
I smile sheepishly. “I was wondering where I lost it. Does this mean you’ll abort?”
“Thanks to you.”
Jake gingerly descends as I mutter to myself, “Mission accomplished.”
Nice tension! I was really worried for a minute that he was going to jump.
Great twist at the end! Well done!
Thank you, Double Bubble! Good story. After the ending, I read it again to catch the tells. Loved the twitching eye.