The Start of a Game

"What's this?" He chuckled, fingering the card before he read it aloud. "Either get your family to play the game or streak through the neighbor's yard..." He imagined streaking through Jerry's yard and figured that would give the old man PTSD or heart attack... or maybe both. "Well, that's flat out." He said, dropping the card on the side table.

"Cynthia! Kids! Let's play a game!" He blurted out, raising his hand to project his voice. He immediately recognized it as something he would never say. In fact, he only begrudgingly played games with his kids.

Cynthia walked in, looking rather flummoxed in a towel with her hair up and the kiddos peeked around the corner in a group like they were up to something.

Her hand stood resolute on her hip. "Honey, I'm not even dressed and none of us have eaten. Can it wait?"

"Well get your food and join me..." He insisted, waving hurriedly. "I'll even get everyone served up." Randy dashed towards the kitchen like there was some timetable on getting this game started.

"Dad, what did the card say?" Claire asked, dead serious, as Randy thrust a plate full of sausages, eggs, and flapjacks into her hands.

"Oh, have you played?" He asked, now quite interested in the box and its game. "It seems fun..." He didn't actually think it seemed fun, but he felt very compelled to get the game going at the moment.

"Yes dad. I brought the game."

"It just said to get everyone here to join." He said flatly as he handed off food to the rest of the family.

"Or..." Claire coaxed out of him.

He looked at Cynthia and then Claire, clearly not wanting to say it... "Or I had to streak through the neighbors yard."

"Randy!" Cynthia chuckled. "You wouldn't."

"He might." Mia laughed. "If the box has a say."

"Claire Bear, is this some sort of risqué party game?"

"You could say that."

"And some." Ryan chimed in, scarfing down the food. "If we decide we aren't going to play, any moment now, dad will start stripping..."

"You wouldn't!" She slapped Randy playfully.

"He might." Mia repeated. That got a laugh from her siblings.

Randy stood there turning his head every which way wondering if he would be running naked through the neighbors yard any time soon.

Cynthia walked over to the box that Randy kept eyeing and picked it up, grabbing the card too, doing her best to keep the towel around her waist. "Is there drinking in this game? I'm not day drinking with two minors. Who knows what trouble you'd get into..." She rolled her eyes.

Claire stepped forward and gripped mom's hands. "You know I'm responsible, right?"

She nodded.

"The trouble started when dad grabbed the first card. The question now is if we want to join him in it."

"I'm game." Ryan hollered as he stabbed a sausage off of Mia's plate and scarfed it down.

"Me too." Mia said, hiding a grin and handing Ryan the rest of her plate.

Cynthia noticed Randy removing his shirt. "Randy, why are you taking your shift off..."

Claire gripped her mom's face. "Mom I'm going to sound crazy, but that box has magical powers and will **** him to strip and run through the neighbors yard. You can either let him or play a game that may change who you are and how you view the world."

She watched as Randy started playing with his belt. She could see his hands shaking and his eyes wandering around the room as if he was trapped in his body. "Geez! Claire you make it sound so serious."

"It kind of is."

"Okay. I'll play."She said as if she was being attacked.

Claire grabbed her dad's hand as his pants fell to the floor, stopping him from pulling his boxers down. Now she knew they were polka dot. How very Randy. "For the record, I think this may be the worst or best thing we do together. Who's next, box?"

The card in Cynthia's hand disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Ding. A fresh white card poked out of the front of the box.

Randy stared down at his daughter's hand, keeping him from flashing his children. "Claire, what have I gotten us into?"

"I guess we'll see." She said as she grabbed the card.