Barking Up the Wrong Tree

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Barking Up the Wrong Tree

As Nicole sat on the couch after school one day, she overheard her father grumbling in the kitchen. “What are you whining about now?” she asked hoping he would say nothing and she could slid from hearing the “you kids do nothing” speech.

“I’m just upset. You kids do nothing around this house. Everyday I come home and clean up the mess that you and your brothers leave for me.” Her father screamed, getting a little louder with each word like he did every other day. Nicole could have recited the speech word for word. She did not, because if she did that she would get in trouble for talking back. “You could at least get up and empty the dishwasher.” He said, with little authority.

“Yeah, yeah, whatever dad.” Nicole said back. She was watching her favorite soap, General Hospital, and was not about to miss it for the dishwasher.

“No, do it now Nicole Madeline.” Her father snapped.

“The dishes aren’t going anywhere dad. Sonny and Carly are finally getting married and you’re making me miss it so I can empty the dishwasher. The dishes will be there when the show is over, believe me.” She snapped back with the familiar teenage attitude that she used much too often.

“I’m sick of your attitude…” her father said but Nicole tuned it out. The show was back on and she didn’t feel like listening to him complain about how many dishes everyone else in the family uses.

“Okay dad,” she said hoping her would stop talking

“Sure you will. Like you did every other day of the week.” He replied back in a tone he hoped she would not be able to hear.

“You do know that I can hear you. You’re not that far away from me.”

“I don’t know what is worse about you Nicole, your laziness or your attitude. Get up and do this dishwasher now.”

“I will dad, just give me a minute. Carly and Sonny are getting married, I cannot miss this part.” She said with emphasis on cannot

“Carly and Sonny have been getting married for about a week now. You won’t miss anything in the two seconds it takes you to empty the dishwasher.” He said, finishing his sentence just as Carly said she could not marry Sonny.

“You made me miss it.” Nicole screeched just as the announcer on the television said, “stay tuned for scenes from the next General Hospital.

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