Birthday Taco (The Sentinel, 353 words, a ficlet for Pattrose)
This is a little something for pattrose for her birthday, hope you have a good one!
Birthday Taco
"Sandburg."
"Yes, Jim?"
"What the hell is this?"
"It's your birthday taco, Jim."
"My. Birthday. Taco."
"Yeah man. Remember we were talking about the need for less sugar in a Sentinel's diet? And specifically, you being the Sentinel in question's diet?"
"No, Sandburg, I do not remember anything of the -"
"Really? We're going to have to do some tests on that memory of yours. Anyway, we talked -"
"Or more likely, you talked and I didn't listen -"
"Well, maybe you should listen more often, because I very clearly remember you saying 'Yes, Chief, whatever you say Chief,' at least three times, which means we talked and you agreed to cut the sugar and bad stuff. Which means no more cake and all that."
"Even on my birthday?"
"Even on your birthday. And don't whine man, you're too old and you like tacos."
"Sandburg, I am not too old to whine."
"Yeah, sorry and all that but you sort of are."
"And since when were tacos healthy anyway?"
"Well, they were before you told me if I put tofu and beansprouts in them again you'd... never mind. They're healthier than the sugar-laden monstrosity you insisted on last year. Admit it."
"I liked that monstrosity and I'll whine if I want to. Anyway, how did you fit all those candles on it, and why are there four less than there should be?"
"You counted them already? That's great Jim, is that some sort of super Sentinel math ability, you just look at it and know? I mean, maybe we can -"
"Sandburg!"
"Yes, Jim?"
"The candles, tell me about the candles."
"The really nice lady who lives in Number 12 downstairs gave them to me, and that was all she had left. She was really nice, Jim."
"Yeah. Nice. Like taco instead of cake nice?"
"Don't be a grouch, it wasn't her fault and your arteries will thank me even if you don't. Oh, and Jim? Jim?"
"M'eatin' m'birthday taco, Chief. Hey...... s'good."
"Of course it is. Better than cake, hey?"
"Mmmmmmmmmmm...... nah. But good."
"Fair enough. And Jim?"
"Yeah?"
Happy birthday, man."
- the end -
