I Thought I Was Clear!

    Nick recently moved from England to The United States, Minnesota to be exact. His favorite sport is football. In a few weeks it’s his birthday! He’ll be turning ten. Nick has one brother who is five, and his name is Luke. His parents’ names are Maurice and David.

Nick was playing video games with friends when his mom came in. “Nick!” she called out.

“What? I’m playing video games right now,” Nick stated.

“I guess you don’t have time to give me your birthday list, so I can get you things you like,” Maurice said sarcastically.

“No, wait, wait! I’ll start making it now.”

Immediately Nick started his list. What are some things I want? Here are a few things he put: oculus, football, gift cards, skateboard.

He couldn’t think of much more. He went to give his list to his mom while she was playing with Luke.

“Here, Mom,” Nick stated.

“Thank you, Honey.” Maurice looked through the list. Alright a skateboard and football, sounds good enough, Maurice thought.

The next day, Maurice went out shopping with David for Nick’s birthday gifts. They started at Target and went to the sports section.

“Maurice! I found a skateboard with flames on it!” David shouted.

“That’s nice, add it to the cart,” Maurice called.

Next they headed for the section in Target with the sports balls. They found basketballs, volleyballs, and more. But the footballs were all sold out! They went to pay for the skateboard and headed to Walmart.

At Walmart, they first had to get a few groceries. Afterwards, they went to look for footballs. They found a nice colorful one they thought Nick would like.

Later they got home and wrapped the gifts they got him. Maurice put special tags and bows on the presents.

A few weeks later, it was the day before Nick’s birthday. Nick was in his room once again playing video games.

Luke barged into his room. “What are you doing?” he asked.

‘’I’m just playing games, what do you want?”

“I don’t know. Want to play with me?”

“Sure, give me five minutes.” Gee, I really need to do other things besides ploy video games. I sure hope I get that football, Nick thought.

On the morning of Nick’s birthday he woke up at 7 o’clock sharp. Nick ran downstairs to wake up his parents. They were already awake and waiting for Nick downstairs.

“Good morning, Birthday boy!” David exclaimed.

“Good morning, Dad!” Nick replied.

“Nick, would you like to go get your brother up and then open presents?” Maurice asked.

“Yes, yes and yes!” Nick screamed.

After he woke Luke, Nick asked if he could start opening presents. His parents agreed. Luke grabbed the first gift and gave it to Nick.

“Thanks, Bro.” Nick opened it in excitement. “A skateboard, awesome thank you!” He went to give his parents a hug.

“David, will you grab the next present?” Maurice asked. David went to grab the gift.

“Here, Bud,” said David.

“Thanks, Dad!” Nick opened his gift. “Oh. A football, uh thanks”.

“Do you not like it?” His mom asked.

“Well, I love it, but I wanted an American football, not a British football, which is a soccer ball.” I guess I wasn’t clear on that, thought Nick.

“Oh, I’m so sorry, Hon,” his mom replied.

“It’s ok, I still love it,” said Nick. Nick went outside to try out his skateboard.

“Maurice?” David asked.

‘”Yeah?”

“What if we just go and surprise him with a really nice American football?”

“Ok, but when?” Maurice asked David.

“I can go get it while you watch him at his party,” David stated.

“Ok, that can work!”

About an hour later, David left to get Nick his football. Maurice waited for Nick’s friends to arrive. “Mom?” Luke asked.

‘’Yes?”

“Do I get any friends over?”

“No, I’m sorry, but today is Nick’s day,” Mom exclaimed.

“Aw, ok I’ll go play in my room.”

Meanwhile, David went back to Target, and went looking for footballs. He found a few, but just went with a basic brown football. He got wrapping paper and checked out. When he got home he wrapped it up, and went to find Maurice.

“Maurice, I got the football!” David exclaimed.

“Yes, let’s go give it to Nick! Nick!” Maurice shouted.

“Yea, Mom?”

“We got you another present!” David said.

Nick opened his present and yelled, “A football! Thank you so much, Mom and Dad!”

Nick, Luke, and all of Nick’s friends played a few games with the new football. They all had so much fun, because of Nick’s new football. Every day and night Nick played with his football. What he looked forward to every night was to go home and play with his football. To this day, Nick is still obsessing over his football.

Nick has now learned to be more specific about what he wants, as communication barriers can cause birthday stress!