The Weekday One Hundred

Valerie was twelve and knew it was a bad idea. But these so-called grownups went ahead with it anyway. They were going to judge the middle school bake sale.

The crowd of already anxious preteens fidgeted and exchanged nervous glances while three overconfident parents lorded over a table filled with baked goods.

Valerie knew her pecan blondies weren’t good enough to bring home a ribbon, but she certainly didn’t need Judge #2 to pick her out of the crowd, look her in the eye with a full mouth and give her a slow, dramatic thumbs down.

Thanks a bunch, Dad…