I panicked and threw the crowbar as hard

I panicked and threw the crowbar as hard as I could and hit him dead in the chest, stopping him in his tracks with a sickening crack. An experiment to create 12 people

from licorice was probably a mistake. But Mr. Peabody down at the shop had said there'd be no problem. Beware the club-footed cashier, mom had said. Did I listen? Nooooo

because I had cauliflower ear and the bubbled-up cartilage blocked everything. It was the first time I ever had peace because my mom was a "perfectionist" who talked too much

. I'd just nod and keep quiet. She didn't like being interrupted anyway. One day my mother asked me a question. I could tell by the way she raised her eyebrows and paused.

She always ended her questions with that particular gesture. I, on the other hand, preferred to

use words to describe my meaning. I had learned my lesson once when I gestured that I wanted my girlfriend to refill the pepper mill and she thought I meant

play with my personal pepper-mill! She will do this once in a while but not in a restaurant. She slapped me and said wait till I get you home. Wow! I can't wait. This will be

birthday ever. There must be a big surprise for me at home, that's why she said it. I jumped up from the table and sprinted for all my life

toward home, hoping for the return of my lost dog "Sam" or maybe a new B-B gun. This birthday would be special. At least this year there wouldn't be