Graveyard Greg

With Saturday came another soccer game, and another victory for Larry and the rest of his team.

“You kids are going to empty out my bank account with all these wins,” said Larry’s father. “Now who’s hungry for some pizza?”

The answer which roared out from the team was unanimous, and soon Larry was riding with Sampson to the pizza place.

“It’s pretty cool that you’d rather ride with me than fly,” Sampson said as he kept his eyes on the road, a miracle to beat all miracles.

“You’re more fun to talk to. It gets kind of dull talking to myself.” It was the truth, but it still felt misleading somehow.

“It’s funny, though. I’ve never seen you fly. I’ve seen Freddy fly a gazillion times!”

“I’ve seen him fly too, especially when he’s divebombing me.”

“Sometimes I think you just don’t like to fly.”

How could Larry respond to that? “I…just think it’s better to do as everyone else does. I feel like…I’m showing off if I fly.” It surprised him how easily the lie slipped out of his beak. If only he could tell Sampson the truth, but pride and a bit of uncertainity kept him from doing so.

“You got wings,” Sampson said. “Most of us don’t.” He reached over and squeezed Larry’s knee. “But it’s really thoughtful of you to think that.”

Larry felt the weight of guilt on his shoulders, but before he could say anything else, Sampson drove up to the parking lot. Freddy was already there, as usual, climbing out of the bed of their father’s truck.

“Hey, Larry,” Freddy said. “Hey, Samps.”

Sampson raised an eyebrow at Freddy. “Samps?”

“Yeah, it’s short for Sampson. You know, the name your ‘rents gave you?”

“I know what my name is, Freddy,” Sampson folded his arms. “But I dunno why I’m being saddled with that nickname.”

“Just felt like giving you one.” Freddy preened a wing. “I can’t pick on Larry all the time. It gets boring after a while.”

Sampson looked over at Larry, who had been quiet this whole time. Partly to avoid being a target for Freddy, and partly because he wanted to see how this would all play out.

“Well?” Sampson said. “Do you have anything to add to this, Larry?”

“We should get inside before someone else orders pizza for us,” Larry said. You know they’re going to screw it up.”

Freddy opened his beak in a grin. “My little brother is making sense for once. Let’s go inside!”