One Little Blunder

“I thought Keahi was supposed to work in the garden?”

     Mana smiles, dropping another tomato in the basket. “Keahi hates gardening, but I love it so I offered to trade chores with her.” As she explains this, Madelynn nods in understanding, scrubbing the windows.

     “Makes sense, I suppose,” the red-head responds. “Clayton wouldn't be caught dead gardening either.”

     Mana blinks. “Really?” She asks.

     “Yeah,” Madelynn responds. “He always says something about his pride.”

     She laughs and is about to speak when water sprays at her from behind. A very undignified screech escapes her and she whirls around, unsuccessfully batting away the water aimed at her face. Once the offender is done, she is soaking and water drips down her face.

     “Got ya!” Clayton yells, tossing the garden hose aside as he does his victory dance.

     “Um, Clayton,” Madelynn tries to interrupt. She eyes Mana pitifully.

     “What's wrong?” The boy taunts, ignoring Madelynn. “Catch you by surprise?”

     “Clayton,” Madelynn emphasizes, hurling a wet wash cloth at him. “That's not Keahi!”

     “What?” Clayton laughs. “Of course it's her, Mattie. Don't you think I'd be smart enough to know if it were Mana? I've known them long enough.”

     Madelynn rolls her eyes. “Clayton,” she tries once more, pointing behind him, “that's Keahi.”

     Clayton blinks, examining Mana more closely. The girl smiles awkwardly. “Hi, Clayton,” she greets.

     “Mana?” Clayton gawks at her. “I'm . . . no I was . . . sorry about that, buddy. The ponytail threw me off.”

     “You're a real moron,” Keahi's voice rings behind him. Before he can even respond, she dumps a bucket of soapy water on him. “How can you possibly not be able to tell us apart?”

     “You're twins!” He cries, reaching for the garden hose again. “Identical ones, might I add!”

     And so begins the water fight.