Bad Omens

The rooster's song woke the tired family from their slumber. Tired, but passionate. It had been two months since they started their sandwich shop journey to remarkable success. The customers were happy, the food was good, and most importantly - the pay was good. So yes, they were all very tired, but also very eager to keep going.

None more so than Jimmy. Jimmy was in charge of assembling the sandwiches, and he was really proud of his work. As he came downstairs he saw his grandma performing her morning routine - reading over beads.

"What does the future foretell, nan?"

"Bad omens," She said, her eyes glued to her beads. "These are the first since we started the business." She looked up to meet Jimmy's eyes. "This does not bold well."

Jimmy gulped audibly, his father behind him cursed. "It was bound to happen!" He shouted. "What do you think it will be, ma? An angry customer burns down the shop? A bad Yelp review? Diahrea?"

"You know full well that I cannot see specifics, Anthony." Grandma got up and left the kitchen without another word.

"Pop... you don't really believe in that stuff do you?"

"Now look here, Jimmy. That stuff is the only reason why we opened the sandwich shop in the first place. You best believe I believe in it."

"Believe it or not, I don't." Jimmy shrugged.

Dad poked Jimmy's nose with a flick of his forefinger. "Do that at your own peril, son. If you mock the spirits, they just might mock you back."

Whatever that means. Jimmy did his characteristic shrug and started preparing for the day. Mom and sis soon awoke, and both were practically petrified by the news of the beads. Jimmy laughed at them but received the same warning he had from Pop. Was everyone in this house loco?

Jimmy packed the boxes of ingredients and placed them in the back of the van. There was one box in the middle of the pile however that he overlooked when inspecting them. They were running late, and Jimmy wasn't at astute at observing as he would usually be.

Soon enough the entire family was in their van and headed to the shop.

"Jimmy. I'm gonna need you to be extra vigilant today." Pop said.

"I told you all, I don't believe in that stuff." Jimmy fained a yawn. But then he thought it better to appease his family. No use creating something out of nothing. "But, I promise I will be careful."

That seemed to satisfy them as Jimmy didn't get another remark the whole day. And the day was prosperous like all the ones before. The place was packed and business was booming. Even more so than usual. The family was so busy they all forgot the omen foretold by Grandma.

Jimmy started slicing up cheese from the unchecked box. As he was finishing up his mom came to get something from his station.

"Jimmy." She said, annoyed. "That cheese is moldy, can't you see it?"

It was, in fact, moldy. "Oh."

"Oh?" Mom stopped what she was doing and put her hands on her hips. "Have you been doing this often? Do you know what kind of trouble this could get us in? Not to mention it is high -"

"Mom, chill. I know. I'm sorry." How did he miss it? "I've been rushing all day, I didn't notice. Sorry. It won't happen again."

Mom gave him a long piercing look, sighed, then got back to work. Jimmy had already made a sandwich with the moldy cheese which he set aside as now he had no unpack another box, and started cutting up slices and making new sandwiches.

Which he did.

Wasn't long until the shift came to an end. Well, it 3was long, but it sure didn't feel like it. The entire family was exhausted from another hard day's work.

"Told you all!" Jimmy gloated. "Those beads are crap."

"Jimmy!" Mom yelled.

"Eh, can't fault the boy for saying it." Dad did his best Jimmy shrug impression. "Nothing happened."

Mom started arguing with Dad but Jimmy was too hungry to listen. Instead, he went in the back to see if there were any leftovers he could munch on. Sure enough, to the side of his station, he saw it - a pristine sandwich. When had he made it? Must've been early in the day since the bread was so hard. Regardless, it would do until they got home.

He dug in.

"Jimmy! Come on son let's get going!" But Jimmy was nowhere to be found.

"Love have you seen that boy?"

"Big, bro! Where are you?"

Everyone got worried - Jimmy had vanished. Just as they were about to call the police a sound escaped the backroom where the toilets were. Then another, louder sound. Then a yelp.

"Son!" Pop pounded on the door, "You in there?"

"Yeah..." Said Jimmy, before releasing another fart. "Give me a minute."

The sounds that escaped that bathroom were not meant for virgin ears. So I will not elaborate on them.

Pop grinned. "I told you, son! I told you!"

Mom peaked around the corner. "What is it dear?"

"Diahrea!"

This was A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words contest entry.

The prompt image:

Describe what you see: A slice of moldy cheese.
Describe what you feel: I feel hungry.

Obligatory shout-out to the 🍕PIZZA🍕 gang, 🤙 gang. 🤙

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Cover image source.

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