The Selection
You to the left, you to the right
You to the left you to the right

‘’Benjamin, will you get up please?’’ Miriam was already coming to the end of her tether.
‘’You will be late for school my boy. ‘’ Benjamin was already at the bottom of the spiral staircase as his mother drew her next breath to call again.
‘’I’m here mum.’’ His little face beaming with a large smile had already placed his school satchel onto the dark oak table next to the stairs ready to leave.
He pulled out the chair from under the white lace covered oak table. ‘’Boiled egg and toasted soldiers for you today my boy.’’
He looked up at her and smiled as he dipped into the tantalizing yoke of the egg.
‘’Dad’s going to be late for work mum,’’ he said wiping his mouth on the white neck chief. ‘’He’s already left for work, and you should be nearly reaching school by now.’’ Miriam cleared away the table shaking the white cloth just outside the back door.
Benjamin kissed his mother on the cheek. ‘’There is something wrong mum.’’ He held onto her hand with both hands, squeezing tightly. ‘’I don’t want to go to school today.’’ He looked into her large brown eyes with a strange expression. ‘’I want to stay here with you.’’
‘’Now now Benjamin everything is fine.’’ She kissed him on the forehead. ‘’Your Dad will look after us.’’ Smiling as she patted him on the bottom. ‘’Don’t fret my boy, off to school you go.’’
Benjamin picked up his pet black and white cat Peeky, hugging him as he turned his head toward the sound of heavy lorries drawing closer.
Derek Reid