By: Kenneth M. Kapp

Easy to hide your head somewhere or pull an ostrich act. Things are ugly out there – ask anyone on the street. But you can’t stay inside all day. You need fresh air, take a walk around the block. Like the other day.

***

            Two boys were skipping down the street pushing each other. The kid in a plaid shirt shoved his friend, challenging, “So you say!” The boy in the polo shirt fell back but quickly took up the chase. A minute later it was his turn. “No, so you say!”

Plaid turned around, sticking out his tongue. “You’re just a baby.”

“Ha, your mother’s the baby.” Polo spun on his heels, put his hands on his hips, and, bending over, pointed his buttocks at Plaid.

Plaid put his thumbs in his ears and waved his fingers back at Polo. “Sticks back on you.” Remembering that hands on hips was a critical part of taunting, he took a wide-angle stance, placed his hands appropriately, and taunted, “Your mother, your mother!”

Polo held up his right hand and slowly folded his fingers counting, “Finger and five, finger and four, finger and three, finger and two.” Then he took a deep breath, and they both yelled, “Finger and one, it’s time to run!”

They ran down the street, shouting, “So you say, so you say!”

***

I wanted to ask them if this was some kind of game, but it was none of my business. I planned to search the internet. But I forgot, only remembering while brushing my teeth. I retreated to my study, turning on the light and my laptop. A search found an article about a recent congressional debate full of fist-shaking and “So you say’s.”

Nothing I could say, I’ll have to stick it!

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Kenneth M. Kapp lives with his wife in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, writing late at night in his man-cave. He enjoys chamber music and mysteries.