Winter Show & Tell

It was on the tenth of December. It was Monday morning and the 1st hour of our class schedule. Our second-grade teacher, Mrs. Williams, suddenly made a huge announcement.

"Alright, can I get everybody's attention please!", she said. Then the whole class quieted down from all the chit-chat going on. "We are holding a special winter-themed event across the entire school.", she said.

"You mean Christmas break?! Yeah, winter is awesome. Is it not?", said Brad. "No Brad, I'm not talking about Christmas break. Yes, Christmas break is in the winter, but no.", said Mrs. Williams. "It is a schoolwide Show & Tells event.", said Mrs. Williams.

"Just great! Another boring Show & Tell.", said Nathan. "This is not just some regular Show & Tell Nathan.", said Mrs. Williams. "This will be a winter-themed schoolwide Show & Tells event. You get to show off anything you choose to the class that's only related to the winter season.", said Mrs. Williams.

"That sounds like a creative and fun idea Mrs. Williams. When does the event start?", said Amanda. "The event starts on the 17th of December. That's the last day before Christmas break which will last for two full weeks.", said Mrs. Williams. "And then it's back to the school in the new year.", said Mrs. Williams.

"Any questions, comments, or concerns?", said Mrs. Williams. Then Ariana proceeded to raise her hand. "Yes, Ariana.", said Mrs. Williams. "Are we gonna get graded for this?", said, Ariana. "Of course you will be graded, Ariana. Every Show & Tell gets graded here.", said Mrs. Williams.

"Therefore, you all better be on your A-game. Work hard, and try your best. The event is only one week away.", said Mrs. Williams. "Now can everybody turn to page 192 in their textbooks? Page 192. And we are gonna start reading today's chapter as a group this morning.", said Mrs. Williams. Then all of us did exactly as we were told.

***

Later on that day, all of us got home from school. It was light snow outside. Steve and Kevin went into their place and went to their room.

"So, Kev, you got anything planned for this special Show & Tell?", said Steve. "Not yet bro. And we've only got less than seven days left.", said Kevin. "Yeah, I wish I could help you, but the school's PA announcer mentioned earlier today that this will be an individual Show & Tell.", said Steve.

"Well, it's not a competition or anything. It's an event. That we'll get graded for.", said Kevin. "And that will decide whether we go to the third-grade or not next year.", said Steve. "Yeah, well, I'm sure this chilly Show & Tell won't affect our grades that much if you, me, or anybody else fails.", said Kevin.

"Yeah, I don't know about that one Kev.", said Steve. "Well, we can f=just ask anybody we know tomorrow how much will this affect our grade.", said Kevin. "Deal.", said Steve.

"You know, the one positive thing about this event is that the opposite would be impossible.", said Kevin. "Yeah. I've never heard of summer-themed Show & Tell event at school.", said Steve. "Unless it's in summer school which we're trying to avoid.", said Kevin.

"Right. Although, spring and autumn are still possibilities.", said Steve. "Well, I'm gonna go listen to some more Christmas music on the radio. What are you gonna be doing for the rest of the day, Steve?", said Kevin. "Just chilling. Get it? Chilling?", said Steve. "You did not get your sense of humor from me.", said Kevin.

***

The next day at lunch, the whole gang got together and discussed this winter-themed event. "So, anybody here thought of anything for next week's Show & Tell yet?", said Steve. "I have. You guys wanna hear it?", said Brad.

"We're all ears dude. Go ahead.", said Kevin. "Alright, so I invented a coat for your coat.", said Brad. "On second thought, I take that back. We're not all ears. Stop while you're ahead dude.", said Kevin.

"Hear me out for a quick second Kevin.", said Brad. "It's another coat attached to your coat. I call it the 'coat-coat'"., said Brad. "How on God's green Earth did this dude come up with such a stupid idea?", said Nathan.

"Not stupid Nathan.", said Brad. "It'll keep you twice as warm as a regular coat. I bet you could even where this new invention on Mars.", said Brad. "If I was wearing this so-called 'coat-coat' you're talking about on Mars, I'd probably be six feet under Martian ground.", said Amanda.

"Yeah, you got the 'coat-coat', but no oxygen.", I said. "Alright, look, if you think this idea is so stupid, you just wait and see the A I'm about to get come Monday.", said Brad. "I'm expecting to see the F-F, and not the A come Monday.", said Steve.

Then the PA announcer came on. "Ladies and gentlemen, just a friendly reminder to participate in next week's schoolwide winter-themed Show & Tell. Next week's Show & Tell will be a major factor on your next report card, so be prepared and good luck! Have a great afternoon everybody!", said the male PA announcer. Then the message concluded.

"I guess that was the answer we were looking for Kev.", said Steve. "You're gonna repeat the 2nd-grade buddy.", Nathan said to Brad as he finished his chocolate milk. "Am not. With this idea, I'll automatically advance to the 5th grade in '02. Maybe even in middle school. The sky is the limit at this point.", said Brad.

"Other than Brad's dumb idea, anybody else come up with anything yet? Raise their hands if they did.", said Steve. And nobody proceeded to raise their hands. "And this is our first-ever Show & Tell related to only one theme. We've all got to just try our best, never give up, and believe in ourselves.", I said.

"And if we fail, how much work are we gonna have to do to make sure we get into 3rd-grade Jamal?", said, Ariana. "A lot.", said Steve. "The tree population would probably go extinct, and we resort to writing our assignments on computers. And using dryers after we wash our hands. And wearing shirt-shirts.", said Kevin.

Then the whole gang just laughed. "Stop laughing! It's not funny! Just don't come to me for any extra warmth when this Michigan weather gets to ten below zero.", said Brad. Then the school bell rang and it was time to get back to class.

"Well, it looks like it's time to get back to class-class.", I said. "Let's roll-roll.", said Steve. "And learn-learn.", said Kevin. Then everybody got up along with Brad who was just shaking his head.

***

The next day at band practice, Two Seconds To Detroit got together to perform along with me doing the recording. "Alright, everybody ready to do this?", said Steve. "Hold up everybody! I'm the second one here to come up with something for the upcoming Show & Tell event.", said, Ariana.

"And you picked this time to share it with us?", said Steve. "It'll only be a quick minute Steve.", said, Ariana. "Anyways, take a look at this.", said, Ariana as she grabbed something out of her backpack.

And she pulled out a heart-shaped snowflake cut out of paper. It was colored pink by a colored pencil and resided in a wooden picture frame. It was glued to another sheet of paper inside the frame which was red. At the bottom, it read "Love Is The Only Warmth You Need This Winter. Have A Merry Christmas. And A Happy New Year. Love Ariana.". And then a drawing of a heart was seen afterward.

"Wow! That looks so cool Ariana.", I said. "Thanks, Jamal.", said, Ariana. "That's so awesome Ariana. You need to make me a copy A.S.A.P.", said Kevin. "Will do Kevin.", said, Ariana.

"The only warmth you need this winter is the coat-coat!", said Brad. "How about the no-no.", said Amanda. "Hey, I can put the same two words together too. Watch this.", said Nathan. Then a pause. "Flunk-flunk.", said Nathan.

"Good one Nathan.", said Amanda. "Brad, love-love will keep you warm more than any winter gear no matter how low the temperature gets. And F.Y.I., I don't recommend wearing two coats at once. Sorry buddy, but it sounds kinda stupid.", said, Ariana. "Hey, don't we have some songs to play?!", said Brad.

"Uh-oh! We hurt Brad's feelings, and now he's trying to change the subject.", I said while making fun of him. And we all started laughing at Brad. "Whatever, man. Let's play.", said Brad. Then Steve laughed and said "Gladly.".

The next day was a #TBT before Twitter ever became a thing. It was after school, and Steve and Kevin were in their room. "Hey Steve, check this out.", said Kevin.

"What is it?", said Steve. "Just hold on.", said Kevin while he was getting a VHS tape from one of the drawers. He inserted it into the VCR in their room.

Then Kevin played the video. "What in the world are you showing me Kev.", said Steve. "It's me when I was two years old struggling to walk in the snow. It was January of '95, so you were probably too young to remember this.", said Kevin.

"Wow! That's so cool man. This is what you're gonna be showing at Show & Tell?", said Steve. "You bet! Hey, look! That's me falling for the first time in the video. I haven't seen this in such a long time. Brings back a lot of great '90s memories.", said Kevin. "Yeah, except for the last memory ever of that decade which was the Y2K conspiracy theory.", said Steve.

"Mom was the one recording this at the time. She thought it was cute at first, so she decided to record me.", said Kevin. "What were you doing walking in the snow in the first place?", said Steve. "Great question. I don't remember. It was nearly seven years ago, and I was so young.", said Kevin.

"Well, congratulations on being the third one of the gang to come up with something for Show & Tell next Monday.", said Steve. "Thanks, man. Oh, and hey, don't worry. You'll eventually come up with something soon. I know you can do it. I believe in you.", said Kevin as he ejected the tape from the VCR. "Thanks, man. Don't worry bro, I've got this. Before you know it, I'll be in 3rd grade next year, and you'll be in your last year of elementary school as well.", said Steve. "5th grade, here I come!", Kevin said as he left the room. Then Steve just sighed and said to himself "Man, what can I come up with?!".

***

On Friday, the whole gang got together at a snowy recess. "Alright everybody, any updates on what people came up with for the Show & Tell event happening on the next school day?", said Steve. "3 words. Cool Boarders 2001.", said Nathan.

"I've never heard of that game.", said Kevin. "I'm with you, Kevin.", I said. "Are you talking about a game? Please elaborate.", said Steve.

"Yes, I am talking about a game.", said Nathan. "Cool Boarders 2001 is a game that got released in late 2000 on the PlayStation and got released on the PlayStation 2 later on in May of this year. I've got the PlayStation 2 version.", said Nathan. "And what does this have to do with winter?", said Amanda.

"It is a snowboarding game. And I plan on showing it to the class come Monday. I'll tell everybody what the game is all about and stuff.", said Nathan. "Are you bringing your PS2 system?", said Brad. "Dude, I think that might be going a little too far. Besides, it's only Show & Tell.", said Nathan.

"Yeah, and it's only our report card markings as well. I would bring the system if I were you, Nathan.", said, Ariana. "Okay, Nathan has got an idea. Anybody else?", said Steve. "Our little brother came up with a drawing of Frosty The Snowman.", said Kevin.

"Dude, how is that relevant? He's in Kindergarten.", said Amanda. "Yeah, I bet the stipulations for them are no more milk & cookies until March.", said, Ariana. "Hey, isn't Frosty featured in one of those holiday songs?", said Nathan. "Every single year.", said Kevin.

"Well, I wrote a poem about winter.", said Amanda. "Nice, Amanda. Can we hear it?", I said. "Not until Monday.", said Amanda.

"What have you come up with Jamal?", said, Ariana. "I still have yet to come up with something.", I said. "Seriously? Dude, it's Friday.", said Nathan. "Look, I'm working on it! Okay?", I said.

"So, it looks like Jamal and Steve are the only two here that haven't come up with a good winter idea yet.", said Brad. "Coat-coat is an actual idea?! Somebody pinch me! I must be dreaming.", said Steve. "Steve, you've been a great best friend. Even though we've only known each other for a few months now, I just want you to know that if you end up not coming up with anything come Monday, I won't come up with anything either on purpose.", I said.

"So, what are you saying Jamal? If Steve has to left-back, you're getting left-back with him?", said Amanda. "That's exactly what I'm saying.", I said. "But what if you fail the Show & Tell, and end up not getting left back?", said Brad.

"If he fails the Show & Tells event, I'm failing too.", I said. "Hey, thanks, man! That means a lot to me. I've never had a friend who would be willing to go down with me when I fall.", said Steve. "You don't have to thank me. Isn't that what friends are for?", I said.

"Why not help each other come up with something? And if not, it's possibly 2nd grade for the 2nd straight time.", said Kevin. "Great idea Kev!", said Steve. "Alright. How about over the weekend? Is that alright with you Steve?", I said.

"Sure Jamal. You know, you're the best friend anybody could have. And if you fall, I will also fall with you.", said Steve. "Deal.", I said. Then we shook hands on it to finalize the deal.

"Now, do you come over to my place, or I come over to your place?", I said. "Who's the oldest?", said Steve. "I was born in February.", I said. "It's your place.", said Steve.

"Good luck you guys!", said, Ariana. "We're all wishing you all the good luck in the world.", said Amanda. "Now go show winter and Show & Tell what you guys are made of!", said Nathan. "Oh, we will.", I said. "We sure will.", said Steve.

***

Saturday arrived. I & Steve were gonna get together to come up with something good for the upcoming Show & Tell. Steve knocked on my door, and I answered.

"Hey man! Come on in.", I said. Then Steve came in. "Alright, you ready to see what we can come up with?", I said. "You know I'm ready as you are. Let's go.", said Steve. And then we both went to our room.

Once we got into our room. It was time to get right down to business. No more fun and games for both of us. It was real this time.

We both had out our notebooks and pencils and was waiting for the first thing that came to mind. "So, has anything come to mind yet?", I said. "Nope. Not yet. How about you?", said Steve. "Nothing has come to my mind yet either.", I said.

Then ten minutes passed by. "Your notebook still blank buddy?", said Steve. "I'm afraid so. You?", I said. "As blank as the Lions' Super Bowl trophy case.", said Steve.

Then another ten minutes passed by. "Have you wrote something down while I wasn't looking?", I said. "Nope. Still staring at white space on my notebook. You must've written something down while I wasn't looking.", said Steve. "I still got nothing.", I said.

Then another ten minutes passed by. "Hey, I've got something!", said Steve. "Really?! What is it?!", I said. "On second thought, nope. That's a stupid idea. Nevermind.", said Steve.

Another ten minutes passed by. "I have to go use the restroom. I'll be right back. Let me know if you came up with anything when I get back.", I said. "Got it.", said Steve. Then I got up to go use the restroom.

I came back from using the restroom. "Still nothing?", I said. "Still nothing. You.", said Steve. "Still nothing.", I said.

Then another five minutes elapsed. "Have you came up with anything yet?", I said. "Dude, it's been 45 minutes, and we haven't come up with a single idea yet.", said Steve.

"Well, I guess repeating the 2nd grade won't affect our chances of getting into college. What does any college care about 2nd grade.", I said. "You may be right about that one, but the 2nd grade is like an entire year. I don't feel like repeating another 365 days all over again. Even though we don't go to school on all 365 calendar days.", said Steve. "We still got Sunday.", I said.

"I'm watching the Lions on Sunday.", said Steve. "Sunday night?", I said. "We've still got Sunday night.", said Steve.

"We've got to start thinking outside of the box a little bit. It's the coldest season of the year. A great idea for this next Show & Tell should be dealing with something cold.", I said. "Think outside the box! Of course! That's a good idea.", said Steve. "And dealing with something cold.", I said. "Or hot.", said Steve. "Exactly. Now let's see what we can come up with here.", I said.

Then another fifteen minutes passed by. "Hey Steve, I finally wrote something down. It's not official, but at least it's something.", I said. "Great! Let's see what you've got.", said Steve as he looked at my notebook.

Steve looked at it some more. "You wrote the word 'nothing'.", said Steve. "Well, nothing is kinda the only idea we have at this point.", I said.

"Maybe we should put on imaginary thinking caps.", said Steve. "Great plan Steve!", I said. Then we both put on our imaginary thinking caps. "Alright, is yours screwed on tight enough?", I said.

"Yep. Is yours working?", said Steve. "Working like there's no tomorrow. Alright, let's go.", I said. Then we both tried to come up with something a little while longer.

Then it was time for Steve to go home just moments later. "Hey, maybe we can do this again Sunday night at your place?", I said. "I'd like that. See you tomorrow night man.", said Steve. "See you, Steve.", I said. Then Steve got up and left to go home.

***

Now the Detroit Lions still haven't won a game all year. And it was now Sunday morning. Steve and Kevin were in their room watching the FOX NFL Sunday Pregame Show before the Lions game came on.

"Dude, why did I decide to watch this in the first place instead of coming up with something great for tomorrow's Show & Tell? My Lions haven't even gotten a win yet, and we're already at about mid-December. If I make these kinds of decisions, I do need to repeat the 2nd-grade next fall.", said Steve. "Hey, don't get so down on yourself man. If no college will accept anybody who did the 2nd grade twice, you could still get a good-paying minimum wage job at Burger King.", said Kevin. "And how is that suppose to help?", said Steve. "I'm gonna be quiet now.", said Kevin.

Then after the game, the Lions finally got their first win of the season. Once it was seen on TV, Steve and Kevin were very happy for them. "They won! They won! They finally won!", said Steve. "I can't believe this! They did it! Looks like good old Santa Claus put a W in the Lions' stockings a little bit early this holiday season.", said Kevin.

"Wow! This has gotta be the best day of my life!", said Steve. "Dude, don't you still got to work on your Show & Tell idea.", said Kevin. "I can worry about that later on tonight. Our Lions finally won a game! We're now 1-12.", said Steve. "And I have no idea why we're feeling so joyful about this.", said Kevin.

***

Later that night, I knocked on Steve's door. Steve opened it. "Hey.", said Steve. "Hey.", I said.

Shortly after that, we went to Steve's room with the same blank notebooks in hand along with pencils. "Okay, we've only got about four hours left to get this right, and then we all have to get ready for bed.", said Steve. "Got it. So, let's not waste any more time, and get right down to business.", I said. "You are so right Jamal.", said Steve.

Ten minutes later, we still haven't come up with anything. "Alright. Okay. The first ten minutes didn't go our way. But that's just fine. No need to panic. We got this.", I said. "Yeah, if the Lions can win a game, anything is possible.", said Steve.

It was now one hour removed from the time we both got started. Then Steve just sighed. "Now I have to use the bathroom. Maybe I can find some inspiration from emptying my bladder. I'll be right back in a quick second.", said Steve. "Make it the quickest second ever. We've only got less than three hours left.", I said. Then Steve got up to go use the restroom.

Then Steve came back after several minutes passed by. "Maybe we could draw something and see what we can come up with.", said Steve. "Let's try it.", I said.

It was now 90 minutes removed from the time we started trying to come up with something. "Alright, you wanna show me what you've drawn so far?", said Steve. "Sure.", I said.

Then I handed Steve the drawing. Steve looked at the drawing for a moment. "You drew the sun?", said Steve. "Yeah. Because the possibility of both of us going to summer school next year is getting larger and larger.", I said.

It was now two hours left before both of us had to get ready for bed. Then Kevin came in. "You guys still haven't come up with anything? Dude, how hard is it to come up with something involving winter? And show & tell for that matter.", said Kevin.

Then the time ran out on both of us. "Well, at least we tried our best, and never gave up. But there's only so little time left.", I said. Steve just covered his eyes with his hands in utter disappointment.

"Well, see you tomorrow at school man.", said Kevin. Then I just got up and left. Then Kevin sat next to Steve who was still in other disappointment.

"Hey, if it makes you feel better, the work might be too hard in 3rd grade anyways. So, you could look at the thought of repeating 2nd grade all over again as a positive thing.", said Kevin. "I don't feel like talking right now. I'm going to bed.", said Steve. "That's fair. You could try and come up with a great Show & Tell idea in the wee hours, but you'd be losing sleep along the way and probably faint in front of the whole class due to sleep deprivation.", said Kevin.

Then Steve got up to get ready to hit the sack. "He was so happy when the Lions won.", Kevin said to himself. It was now less than an hour until Monday morning.

***

The next morning, all of Steve's brothers got up for school and daycare along with himself. Steve woke up depressed. He didn't want to go to school that day, but he knew that he had to.

Steve got up and walked to the dining room table to eat breakfast while feeling and looking miserable. The TV was tuned to FOX 2 News Morning. "Steve, what's with the sad look on your face?", said Anna. "I don't wanna talk about it, mom.", said Steve.

"Well, I just got a call from the school along with the daycare center that school is out today due to the harsh weather conditions.", said Anna. "Whatever.", Steve said sounding depressed. "Wait?! You said what now?!", said Steve.

"Yeah. And the school told me to tell you guys that the winter Show & Tell event that was originally planned has been canceled. It will be replaced by a spring-related Show & Tell event next spring. So, it looks like you boys get to sleep in today.", said Anna. "So, that means Christmas vacation has officially started?", said Kevin. "Yep.", said Anna.

"Yes!", said Steve. "Now I know it's only the second snow day of the school year, but this one is a game-changer for sure.", said Kevin. "And there's probably gonna be many more snow days next year as well.", said Steve.

***

Then Steve called me immediately after breakfast to give me the great news. "Hello?", I said. "Hey, man. Have you heard the great news?!", said Steve. "I sure have. Looks like we don't have to repeat the 2nd grade for a little while longer.", I said.

"Totally. And we've still got plenty of time before we have to come up with something for the spring show & tell.", said Steve. "Yeah, we should start trying to come up with something immediately after the ball drops for '02.", I said. "Well, I'm gonna be doing a lot of sleeping in now that it's finally Christmas break.", said Steve. "Me too. Well, have a great Christmas break man.", I said.

"Same here. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year my friend.", said Steve. "Friends for life.", I said. Then we both hung up the phone feeling pretty happy and feeling pretty good about ourselves. Christmas break was officially underway.