It was raining when I woke up. Great gobs of water struck the windowpane in my bedroom with loud thunks. The air smelt like fat pancakes and through the spidery cracks in the plaster I could hear dishes clashing and banging downstairs. I gazed out the window while I put on my t-shirt with the dinosaur on it.
Dennis was chewing with his mouth open and as I sat down at the breakfast table, a small chunk of cereal fell out of his mouth and onto his GI Joe pajama bottoms. Dad was having trouble flipping pancakes because his hands were covered in flour.
Good morning! he said cheerfully. How many do you want?
Two, I said. What time are we going to the fair today?
Dad stopped flipping pancakes. Dennis stopped chewing.
I don’t know if we will be able to make it today, said Dad as he wiped flour off his hands. The weather looks pretty bad.
Oh. I said.
I’m sorry, I know how bad you guys were looking forward to it.
That’s ok.
I’m sorry.
Dennis slowly started chewing again. On the stove, my pancakes were burning.