“Hey momma, do we have any crip-tite?” Garrett hopped up on a stool next to the kitchen counter.
“I’m not sure what that is so I don’t guess we do.” Mom pointed at the plate of cookies in front of Garrett. “Don’t get into those cookies. I told you earlier that you’ve had enough.”
“Crip-tite is the stuff that makes super heroes powerless.”
“Oh. I think you mean Kryptonite. No, we don’t have any of that around here. And I think it only works on Superman.”
Garrett straightened the mask covering his eyes. “Only Superman?”
“Yeah, the other superheroes have their own weaknesses.”
“Like what?”
“Well,” Mom stopped washing dishes to think for a moment. “I think the Green Lantern was powerless against yellow, or maybe it was Aquaman…”
“Oh, I see. Like that movie Iron Man, he couldn’t do anything without the power for his super suit.”
“Exactly. What about you, Robin. Do you have a weakness?” Mom smiled at Garrett as she spoke, admiring his homemade super suit.
“I’m not Robin, Mom. I’m… The Dark Leopard!” Garrett stood on top of the stool poking his chest out as he announced his title.
Mom could see that he had put a lot of thought into his costume. The mask was of the plastic variety with a simple elastic band around the back. He wore black sweat pants and a black tee shirt accented by a pair of leopard print underwear worn over the sweat pants.
“I don’t think bad guys have weaknesses. We just try to stop the superheroes.”
“Oh,” Mom replied, unsure of how to take this news. “So you’re a villain?”
“Not just a villain, Mom, a super villain! Can you think of any more weaknesses that superheroes have?” Garrett sat down again with his elbows resting on the counter and his face screwed up in deep contemplation.
“No. I’m not really up to date on superheroes. You should ask your dad when he gets back from the store.”
“That’s a good idea. But what about you, mom?”
“What do you mean?”
“What is your weakness? You said all superheroes have one.” Garrett looked at her with a serious, intent face.
“You’re sweet,” Mom said as she patted his head with her hand. She put her hand on her chin as if she were thinking. “I’d have to say my kryptonite is little-boy-hugs.”
Garrett smiled, hopped down from the stool and trotted around the counter. He stretched his arms out and squeezed his already-waiting mom.
Mom held him close enjoying the brief moment. “You’re a super hugger, son.”
“Thanks, mom,” Garrett replied, continuing to hug her for a bit longer than usual. “Do you think I could I have just one more cookie?”
Good one! It received the coveted “Had to read this to Mrs. Fetched” award!
That is one COOL Mom to know all those heroes! And such a sweet story. I’m actually sat here smiling.
I would high-five you right now for making a mom know about Green Lantern’s weakness. About as endearing a mothering tactic as you can get in such a short story.
Minor typo: “Auquaman” in paragraph eight
That was adorable! From the leopard underwear, to the super villian, to the cookie. Like Icy, this put a big grin on my face. I love Garrett!
FARfetched – Wow! That’s my first writing award. Thanks! (I hope she liked it.)
Icy – Thanks! I’m glad it made you smile.
John – I’ll take a virtual high-five. 🙂 Thanks for catching that typo – it’s fixed now.
Danni – I’m glad you liked it. 🙂
really charming piece. I had a Robin outfit made from coloured crepe paper when I was a boy, this was very evocative of my childhood.
Love the geek mom, and the Dark Leopard’s shameless exploitation of her weakness.
Typo: “So your a villain?” should be “So you’re a villain?”
Adam – That Robin costume sounds really cool. I can remember cutting an old t-shirt to make me a mask once. I don’t think I got in too much trouble for that one.
Tony – Thanks for catching the typo. It’s fixed now. For some reason I misspelled villain almost every time I typed it. I must have been too focused on trying to get it right that I missed several other mistakes this time. (At least that’s my story.) 🙂
Sweet, with just a tad of manipulation from the both of them. 🙂
A clever boy. Trying to find mom’s weakness so he can get another cookie. That fits. Thanks for sharing this story.
Haha! That’s so adorable. 🙂
So sweet. Perfect family story. I loved it!
Great story, Chuck. And brilliant dialogue – really keeps it moving.
Garrett played that one right, he knew just how to get another cookie.Noticed one typo in the 3 section from the bottom~already-waiting mom.”~ There is a ” there that shouldn’t be. The scene felt very real, superheros, villians, cookies, mothers and their little boys. Charming story, thanks.
Very cute story. Both of my kids have that form of kryptonite mastered 😉 nice job!
Steve – Thanks! Life is full of little manipulations, right?
Stephen – Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
Lee-Ann – Thanks! (And I’m still waiting for your next #FridayFlash. nudge, nudge) 🙂
G.P. – Thanks. After reading your post last week I’m wondering if Garrett needs a guinea pig. 🙂
Deborah – Thank you. I really appreciate the comment on the dialogue.
Lara – After all, he IS a super villain. 🙂 Thanks for catching the typo. I had quite a few of those this week. It has now been fixed.
PJ – It doesn’t take kids long to figure out what works, does it? 🙂