By Jane H. Fitzgerald
Some people wait all of their lives for that little moment of glory that makes them feel special. Opportunities such as playing the only piano piece you do well at a big party, or saying the perfect smart repartee to a snide remark, or seeing an old partner who broke up with you, while looking your best with a hot new date, or knowing the exact answer to an obscure question asked by your boss at a meeting. This type of moment gave Lachy a new experience.
Little Lachy was only six years old when his moment of glory presented itself. He was very small for his age, with beautiful blue eyes, sandy colored hair, and a little space between his two front teeth. He radiated happiness and innocence, being appealing and totally lovable.
Lachy was at a pool party with people of all ages. Suddenly, the DJ stopped the lively music and announced a game of Trivia. The subject would be the solar system. Fortuitously, and uncommonly, for someone his age, Lachy had been avidly studying this subject on his iPad for two years. He had become obsessed with the planets. He even had a program that featured questions about, “What If’? What if Mars became cooler, how would it affect the solar system? Lachy was a self educated expert possessing knowledge which extended far beyond the names and positions of the planets. Only his family knew of his intense interest in the solar system.
No one at the pool would suspect that Lachy would be a serious contender in Trivia. The DJ handed out pencils and pieces of paper for answer sheets. The first question was asked, and Lachy quickly and quietly wrote his answer. His older cousins sitting nearby noticed this and tried to copy him. Lachy was too unaware to understand that this was cheating. As the game progressed it became apparent that Lachy was, without effort, answering all of the difficult questions such as; what is the sun primarily made of, how long is a day on Neptune, which planet has the most moons, what is the hottest planet, and so forth. Not easy questions even for the highly educated adults. At the end of the game the DJ collected the papers and grandly announced with glee that Lachy was by far the winner.
Lachy took it all in stride. He was modest and unassuming. After all, the study of the planets had occupied much of his time, and he took his knowledge for granted. His other sub-specialities were meteorology and anatomy, but the solar system had remained his true passion.
Lachy received a prize of a coupon for a free drink or ice cream. He didn’t seem to care if he won or not, and the prize didn’t interest him much. He preferred chips over all other treats. As they left the pool, he asked his father,
“Dad, may I please have a bag of chips for winning?”
His father lovingly picked him up and said,
“ Sure Lachy, even though your mother and I think you overdo it on chips, this one time, we will buy you a bag of chips, we are so proud of you.”
Lachy snuggled his face into his father’s neck and whispered,
“Thanks, Dad.”
* * *
Jane H. Fitzgerald is a former middle school history teacher who is now a writer. She has written four books, including, Notes From the Undaunted. Jane has been published in many online sites and print journals including, Isele Quarterly Magazine, Shanti Arts Quarterly, Green Ink Poetry, Little Old Lady Comedy, and more. Jane’s writing covers a wide range of topics from nature and humor to grief. She lives in the sunny state of Florida.
http://Amazon.com/author/janefitzgeraldpoetry