When we sit together at lunch today
Alex asks Cameron
if he’s got any more biscuits.
We all look eagerly at Cameron
who sadly shakes his head.
No one says anything for a minute,
all of us thinking of their steaming buttery taste.
‘I’ve got an idea,’ I say, nervously.
Pete answers quickly,
‘Anything to do with food?’
‘Not exactly.
But it could be, if you want.
It’s the best idea I’ve ever had.’
Everyone leans forward
and I wish I hadn’t said that.
‘Well, maybe the second best . . .’
I wait a few seconds,
just to be sure everyone is listening.
I keep my voice low,
‘We all agree, for one week,
to be nice to everybody . . .
and see what happens.’
I sit back and wait.
Rachel looks at Alex
who looks at Pete
who looks at Cameron
who looks at Selina
who stares at me and says,
‘So what’s your idea?’
‘That’s it,’ I say.
‘We be nice to everyone.
Just for a week.’
Rachel scratches her head,
‘But aren’t we nice all the time?’
Cameron looks at his empty lunch box,
‘I reckon a better idea
is to make another batch of biscuits!’
Selina giggles, ‘Yeah, now that’s real nice!’
I say,
‘No. No. No.
You don’t get it.
I mean really really nice.
Let’s go out of our way
to do something . . . special,
for someone else
and see what happens.
Just for a week.’
Cameron laughs and says,
‘Great idea, Mick. Brilliant!’
Everyone looks at Cameron.
I say, ‘Thanks.’
Cameron giggles,
‘That’s okay, I was just being nice.’
Everyone laughs.
Even me.
But we all agree
to give it a try.
For one week.