“Brussel sprouts and baked potatoes,” his mother replied to her son’s inquiry about what side dishes she would be serving with the meatloaf she was preparing.

Ten-year-old Michael made a gag-like gesture, mimicking someone trying to avoid throwing up. “Brussel sprouts?” he shouted out. “Those things are barely edible. And I know Dad doesn’t like them either.”

“He’ll eat them,” she responded, “and so will you.”

“Will not,” Michael said defiantly, stomping his right foot down hard on the kitchen floor for added emphasis.

“You need to eat your veggies,” she insisted. “Brussel sprouts are good for you.”

“I hate any food that is green. Why are all of the things you say are good for me not even edible? Brussel sprouts suck, Mom.”

“They don’t ‘suck,’ Michael. You can’t just eat meats and starches for dinner. You need green vegetables. Would you prefer broccoli?”

“Broccoli is green, too,” Michael protested. “And it’s also inedible.”

“I can make cauliflower instead,” she offered. “Cauliflower isn’t green.”

“Yuck! Not edible!”

“Okay, fine,” his mother said. “You don’t have to eat the brussel sprouts, but then you won’t get dessert, either.”

Michael thought about that for a few seconds before asking, “What’s for dessert?”

“I made key lime pie,” she said with a smile, knowing it was one of Michael’s favorites.

A big grin came to Michael’s face. “Now that’s something green that is definitely edible,” he said. “I’ll eat three brussel sprouts.”

“Four or no pie,” she insisted.

“Okay fine, four brussel sprouts.”

Life with this kid is one constant negotiation, Michael’s mother thought.

This post was written for today’s one word prompt, “edible.”