Numbers

SOL #20

Numbers

March 22, 2009

“Ok, then. Your numbers have to add up to 30.” Laura’s soft, harmonic voice instructed. Everybody started to count the numbers on the little plastic cards that lay in front of them.

“Wait, the numbers on the cards or the number of cards?” Gustavo Andres asked in his low, hoarse voice.

“Well, obviously the numbers on…” Laura trailed off as she stared at the game manual with a confused face.

“I don’t get it.” Joana said in her silvery, beautiful, jingle-bell voice.

“Laura, I don’t get a thing.” I complained, my voice sounding like a squeaky, broken violin compared to theirs.

“Do you think I do?” she snapped. “Ok, let’s see. You break a ladder like this, if there is a 3, a 4, and a 5, if you add a 4 between the 3 and the 4…no, sorry. You put the 4 between the first 4 and the 5… or maybe.” She looked down at the cards facing her. We all stared. “Agh! Who the hell gives a game this complicated to a 7-year-old?” She complained.

“Smila did.” Joana accused.

“I’m not going to do this; it’s too complicated for me! And I’m the oldest here!” Laura whined, tossing the paper manual at the wall. It made a slapping noise as it hit it and slid down to the floor.

“Any ideas of what we could do now?” Gustavo Andres moaned.

“Oh! Uh, uh, uh! Me! I know!!” I screamed, waving my hand in the air.

“Yeah? Ines?” Laura whispered, annoyed.

“Let’s play Gold Fish!” I offered.

“Is it less complicated than that?” She said, jamming a thin finger at the paper manual that lay on the floor.

“Much easier.” I confirmed.

“Agreed, we’re playing Cold Dish!” She exclaimed.

“Gold Fish.” I corrected.

“Whatever.” She said, ignoring me. We spent the rest of the evening playing Gold Fish – or in Laura’s word, Cold Dish – until it was time to leave. I have to say, it was pretty fun!