Summer break is here! And just for fun, I’m posting a series of ‘Summer Shorts’ in my newsletter. These are fun, short stories for the kiddos (and you) to enjoy while on a quick car ride, in a waiting room at the doctor’s office, or just for a brief, calming break in the day. These are fictional short stories, independent of each other, so they don’t have to be read in order.
There is so much to celebrate in the month of June. Hopefully most of us enjoyed celebrating the special men in our lives for Father’s Day this past Sunday. And of course, on my list is Juneteenth along with the official first day of summer. Yay!
With that in mind, I know I’m a little late posting this first Summer Short, Pop’s Secret, which is written with all the wonderful dads in mind. This is a middle grade story which is best for readers in grades 3 – 5. So, enjoy this quick peek at my short story dedicated to the dad’s out there.
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Happy reading!
This original work of fiction is created by C. M. Ruffin as a publication for http://www.CandaceRuffin.com and may not be reproduced in any form without express permission from the author. Content © 2024 by C. M. Ruffin.
“Something’s up with Pops. I saw him sneaking into the hallway window last night,” Jamal said, hosing down the car.
“Jay, you know that’s ridiculous right? He has a key. Duh,” Shayla rolled her eyes.
“That’s what makes it so strange! Sis, hear me out. I—”
“—No Jamal. You always do this. You get me caught up in your silly stories and I always—always wind up getting in trouble. No. No. NO!” Shayla marched into the house.
“You still have to dry!” Jamal called after her. The screen door slammed shut behind her. Under his breath he muttered, “Fine, I’ll find out what’s up by myself.”
Late that evening, the aroma of hot butter melting over freshly popped popcorn wafted through the house, pulling Jamal as if he were hypnotized. He loved popcorn, just as much as his father did.
“Pops, I can get some?” Jamal said, ready to dive into his father’s bowl of hot, buttery, fluffy popcorn.
“Uh, you better dial it back, Son and find some manners,” Mr. Lewis said, holding the bowl in the air out of reach.
Jamal loved it when Mr. Lewis joked around with he and Shayla. A single kernel dropped from the bowl. They both laughed as Jamal caught it on his tongue and gobbled it up.
“Whew! That’s the stuff,” he smacked his lips.
“Boy, gimme my popcorn back,” Pops said, tickling Jamal with his free hand.
“It’s gone, it’s gone!” Jamal snorted with laughter.
Mr. Lewis plopped down in his favorite recliner, turned on the t.v., and put his feet up, ready to enjoy his popcorn.
“Seriously Pops, may I have some please?”
“Just a few since it’s getting close to dinner. Don’t tell your mother,” he winked.
Jamal stuffed a handful in his mouth sending a few stray kernels rolling to the floor.
“Pop’s, I saw you last night,” he said, his eyes casted downward toward the warm bowl. Pops paused.
“You saw what exactly?” Mr. Lewis asked. His eyes shifted from side to side.
“I saw you sneaking out of the house last night. Where’d you go and why were you sneaking?” Jamal asked.
His father sighed.
“Son, I—” Mr. Lewis started.
“Dinner!” Mrs. Lewis called from the kitchen.
“I’ll explain it when you’re older, Son. It’s time to eat,” Mr. Lewis sighed. He stood from his chair and ushered Jamal to the kitchen.
“Hon, don’t forget the trash tonight,” Mrs. Lewis said. Jamal was sure he saw a slight smirk on her face, but dismissed it. His parents seemed to have their own weird, secret language between them.
“Don’t I always take out the trash?” Mr. Lewis said, winking at her.
That night, Jamal stayed up late playing video games in his room since it was officially summer break. Just as he shut the game down, he paused. Outside, a shadowy figure scurried past his window.
Jamal hurried to the window and peeked through a sliver in his blinds. Sure enough, his dad had slipped out of the driveway and down the street… without his car!
“That’s it. I’m getting to the bottom of this tonight,” Jamal said, tying on his weekend kicks.
He crept down the hall and slipped out the back door, heading in the same direction as his father. After trailing him for two blocks he almost lost sight of him slipping into a dark alleyway on an unfamiliar street. Hesitant, Jamal took a deep breath and crept down the alley after him.
Startled by a loud crash, he ducked low behind some old crates. His eyes grew wide as he peeked from behind the crates to see his father was under attack!
Whoa! How will it end?
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Candace Ruffin 