A Worthy Opponent

Aretha was confronted by her nemesis, Maximilian, in an all-too-familiar setting. They’d been in the same predicament more times than she cared to recall.

‘Maximilian’s skills have increased,’ Aretha thought as his first shot barely missed. She smiled. ‘Let him think he caught me off guard. He is in for a surprise.‘ She snorted. “Slowly now, Aretha. Don’t give away your game,” she murmured under her breath. Her vibrant green ammo was ready to fire. She waited for the perfect moment. “This time, I’m going to beat you.” she mumbled.  Aretha was aware that he was a tougher opponent than she, but she had been practicing. Her attention was drawn to the slingshot on top of her rucksack. Her coordination had gotten better.

Maximilian didn’t take his eyes off her, not even to reload his weapon. It was a routine exercise for him. Every move was meticulously calculated.

‘I’m ready for you,’ he thought. “You’ve never defeated me before and you won’t defeat me today,” he muttered, softly.

Aretha knew the time had come to prove herself a worthy opponent. She aimed. “Steady now… Shoot!” Aretha said to herself. She fired the first shot! Her ammo flew through the air.

The door opened. Aretha couldn’t believe her eyes! She looked, in horror, at how she completely missed her brother. Her ammo landed on Mom’s cheek! Mom’s face turned all shades of red. She inhaled deeply.

“Mom, Aretha is launching peas at me again!” exclaimed Maximilian.

“I’m sorry Mom!” Aretha said. She had been defeated, again. ‘Look at that smug smile,’ she thought. ‘You might have won this round, big brother, but this is not the end!’

Mom looked in dismay at the display of peas that covered the dining room table. “You better clean up your mess, or there will be no dessert!” said Mom. “It’s almost time for bed!”

Aretha cleared the mess away. Mom handed them each a bowl. She stepped back into the kitchen. Aretha looked at her bowl of ice-cream and blueberries. She grinned.

“Oh no, you won’t!” exclaimed Maximilian.