Family Night to Remember

When I was about 13 or so, my sister Lisa, my dad, and my stepmom decided we’d have a family movie night. We piled into the theater, loaded up with a family bucket of popcorn big enough to double as a kiddie pool, and settled into our seats.

Halfway through the movie, Lisa and I both needed a drink. She got hers first and said, “I’ll head back,” before disappearing into the dark theater. I, a proud 13-year-old who didn’t need anyone to hold their hand, followed a minute later.

The theater was pitch black except for the flickering screen. I squinted, scanning the rows. There they were ! I slid into my seat. Without missing a beat, I reached for the family bucket of popcorn.

That’s when I heard it: laughter. Not just any laughter. Familiar laughter.

I froze mid-chew. Slowly, like in a horror movie realizing the monster is right behind them, I turned around. There, two rows back, were Lisa, Dad, and my stepmom. All three of them snickering.

I glanced to my left. A young couple sat there, wide-eyed and stunned, staring at me as I casually munched their popcorn.

“Oh, uh…” I stammered, my brain scrambling for an escape.

The guy chuckled awkwardly, while his date looked appalled.

Before they could react further, I bolted from the row, face burning, and slunk back to my actual seat. Lisa was crying from laughter by the time I got there.

Moral of the story: always double-check before you take your seat.