A Sudsy Day

Tom rushed into the house just in time for dinner. His family was sitting around the table quietly eating.

“You’re late,” said Tom’s sister. “As usual,” she added.

Tom slumped down into his chair and began loading his plate with potatoes. He could hardly wait to tell his parents about his day. It had been most unusual. He was starting to realize that there was a theme.

He started by explaining about how he ran out of soap in the shower this morning. Dripping wet, he managed to get to the cabinet and get some more. Then, in his first period class, he had done a science experiment with soap and vegetable oil. It only got better.

At lunchtime, he heard his friend say a bad word. The teacher washed his mouth out with soap. By this time, Tom was laughing as he recounted his day. His parents smiled. His sister ignored his comments and reminded him it was his turn to load the dishwasher.

After dinner, Tom loaded the dishwasher and turned it on. He left the kitchen and ran up stairs. He didn’t make it to the fifth step before his sister screamed at him.

“What?” thought Tom. Walking into the kitchen was like walking onto another planet. Large bubbles covered the floor and floated in the air. His sister was yelling at him as he ran to turn off the machine. He picked up the soap bottle and read, “Dish soap. Not for dishwasher use.”