Mar 08 2010
How To Be Insincere
No Manrys made it to the district spelling bee competition this year. Josiah is too old now and Abby and Gabe believe their mother could use a break from attempting to pronounce vertiginous, theorbo, and hepatotoxicity.
Another student from their school who made it to the district bee this year informed Abby that he could beat Josiah in a spell off. Abby and Gabe, although willing to insult their brother at any and all times themselves, were unwilling to tolerate such slander from an outsider.
Gabe and Abby then attempted to defend Josiah’s spelling prowess against these disparaging remarks. The Manry clan rallied together with a resounding, “There’s no way you could beat Josiah! He went to Nationals in D.C.!”
Later, Abby and Gabe were discussing this dissing with Josiah at the table. “There’s no way he could beat Josiah!” They repeated over and over.
Zeke (who sat through the National Bee last year, who did not comprehend the current Manry clan rally against outsiders, and who never wants an insult left unsaid) declared, “A lot of people beat Josiah!”
With a hurt look on his face and irritation in his voice, Josiah told Zeke, “Thanks a lot!”
To this remark, Zeke replied slowly and with as much fake sincerity as he could muster, “But…he…did…a…great…job.”
