Tag: Light-Hearted

Ice Cream Shop

“Ice Cream Shop” by Holly Sheidenberger

My dad made me get a job scooping ice cream. Today’s my first day.

A tall man in a tailored black suit walks in. He’s alone.

His polished black shoes clack aggressively on the tile floor. He monitors the time on a gleaming gold watch.

I’m intimidated.

He steps up to the counter. “One scoop of bubble gum. On a cone, please.”

Bubble gum? Really?

Dumbfounded, I scoop his cone.

Then in one foul motion, the vivid pink ice cream falls off and splashes down on his raven-black shoe.

Dread descends like a thundercloud. I’m going to be yelled at. And probably fired.

But the man smirks.

“I’m going to need another scoop of bubble gum,” he says.

This time I deliver it successfully. He turns and saunters out, never even bothering to clean his shoe.

I don’t know who that guy was, but I want to grow up to be him someday.

Kindness

“Kindness” by Holly Sheidenberger

That little kid is screaming so loud his poor mother probably can’t even hear the old bag berating her.

“That child needs some discipline,” the old witch hisses.

Maybe I can help. I set my phone to record and cross the parking lot to the bitter old woman.

“Might I interview you for a podcast on the subject of kindness?” I ask. She pastes on a smile and fixes her hair.

“Oh yes, I always taught my own children to be kind,” she says, glaring at the tantrumming toddler.

“I’m sure our viewers would love to see a good example,” I say, dragging her over to the young mother’s car. “Why don’t you give her a hand.”

The old lady reluctantly unloads the bags from the cart into the trunk, while the mother buckles the now-subdued child into the car.

“Mission accomplished,” I whisper.

I sneak away, chuckling. I don’t really have a podcast.