Nathan had eaten so many salt and vinegar potato chips that the roof of his mouth hurt. His fingers were dusted in salt and chip particles. He grabbed Lucy’s hand, which was covered in Cheeto dust. Today was the day they were going to make a stand.
They stood at the edge of the sandbox. Hand in snack covered hand.
Marvin, the sandbox bully, had the dump truck of course, because Marvin always had the dump truck. It was the one sandbox toy that still had all it’s wheels.
Today Nathan wanted to play with the dump truck. Today was Nathan’s day to play with the truck. It was his birthday after all, and when it was someone’s birthday they should be able to play with the dump truck.
Lucy was going to help him get the dump truck. Although Lucy looked ridiculous. Her face, hands, and shirt was covered in orange Cheeto powder, which made her look like a pumpkin that had psoriasis. The two of them might be able to calmly and collectively convince Marvin that just this once, Nathan should be allowed a turn with the dump truck…it was his birthday after all.
Nathan and Lucy slowly approached Marvin whose back was turned to them and one of his chubby little hands was pushing the dump truck back and forth. Nathan felt the sand squishing between his toes and nervous sweat coating the back of his shirt.
Nathan cleared his throat. “Marvin,” he croaked rather meekly.
“What?!” Marvin grumbled as he continued to push the dump truck back and forth, back and forth.
Nathan cleared his throat again, only a little louder this time. “Today is my birthday, and…”
Marvin interrupted, “What do you want? A cookie?” Marvin laughed as if that was the most original and funniest joke he had ever heard.
Lucy chimed in, “That would be nice! Oh, and it’s Nelson’s turn to play with the dump truck.”
“Who is that?” Marvin sneered. “Your girl friend?!”
Nathan sputtered, “Yes…well no…well sort of…she’s my friend whose a girl…”
“Really? Well, is your girlfriend going to help you fight me for this dump truck?”
“If I have too!” Lucy said boldly. “It’s Nathan’s birthday. For once he should get to play with the dump truck!”
“Really?!” Marvin said in feigned deep thought. “Let me think about that for an hour or two and I’ll let you know if it’s okay…since it’s your birthday and all.”
“Oh, that’s nice of you,” Nathan said and smiled.
“No it’s not, Nathan,” Lucy cried. “He is tricking you!”
Marvin laughed and laughed. He laughed so hard that his sides began to hurt. He grabbed his sides and held them as he continued to laugh. In one quick scoop Lucy grabbed the Dump Truck and handed it to Nathan.
“Hey,” Marvin tried to squeeze out while laughing. “Give it back!”
“No!” said Lucy rather sternly with her hands on her Cheeto stained hips. “It’s Nathan’s birthday, and he is going to play with the dump truck or I’m going to call my lawyer!”
Marvin stopped laughing. He looked at his watch. “Fine!” he mumbled. “I have a 3 o’clock meeting with my stock broker anyway!” Marvin grabbed his $400 alligator shoes, brushed the sand of his $900 suit, and headed towards his BMW.
“Tomorrow the dump truck is mine again!” he called straightening his tie before driving off.
“Happy birthday Nathan,” Lucy said.
“Thank you Lucy,” Nathan responded as they both sat down in the sand to play with the dump truck.
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