Throughout the year, people noticed changes in the sky. Venus went missing. Then mars. Soon Neptune disappeared. Scientists met. Threw out ideas: Changes in atmospheric conditions? Shift in the earth’s rotation? Thickening of moon dust?
Mrs. Peterson was thrilled when Jimmy began spending more time in the garage, hunched over his computer, wires dangling from rafters, tape stuck here and there. Positive that he would provide the answer she let him be until a bolt of lightning shot through the roof and curiosity took over. What she saw through the window was astonishing.
“Oh, Jimmy, you must put them back!”
Up From the Ashes 
He has planets in his mancave? Wow! I want one of those
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Yep! That’s what that weird ball reminded me of and, since Doug studies the heavens, I had to write something about planets. Right? Thanks, Neil.
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All bow to Jimmy!
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I think he’s too shy for such displays! 🙂 Thanks, Danny
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Like some futuristic Bond villain is Jimmy, stealing whole worlds for himself! Good fun 🙂
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Thanks, Iain. I’m reading A Wrinkle in Time so the thought of an extraordinary child popped into my head. And I just couldn’t go dark this week.
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A very exceptional child, indeed… A lot of kids have tiny solar systems in their rooms, only Jimmy has the real thing!
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Wouldn’t that be fun? Of course, they would need to be minimized a bit to fit. Glad you stopped by. Alicia
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I was thinking of Gru stealing the Moon in the first Despicable Me (the only one I saw)
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Gosh, it’s been ages since I watched that and don’t remember that. I, too, only saw the first Despicable Me.
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Jimmy seems to be an exceptional kid.
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He can probably see through walls too! Thanks for reading and commenting. Alicia
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Brilliant idea and why not? although I suspect it would throw more than just a whole lot out of whack! Fresh and original idea 🙂
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Thanks, you just made my morning! I glad you stopped by.
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Loved this. What a brilliant kid. And his mom’s understated reaction, as if it were nothing more than few tomatoes from the neighbor’s garden 🙂
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Goody! I’m glad that came across. Thank you.
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Like Linda, I think the mom’s understated reaction absolutely makes this story!
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Thank you, Penny. I went on the silly side this week.
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A delightful story and creative take on the prompt. 🙂
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Thanks so much.
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Ha ha! Whoa Jimmy!!!
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I’d like him to be in my garage collecting planets! Wouldn’t that be a hoot?
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Seriously!!
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Ha ha ha, she should have given him the money for the bulbs when he asked for it 🙂
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That might be the next thing on her list! Thanks for the suggestion.
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There’s always someone somewhere who thinks it’s okay to steal planets 🙂
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Right? You just can’t trust people these days. Merry Christmas, Ali
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That’s taking an interest in astronomy just a tad too far. Unusual take for you this week, Alicia.
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Went on the lighter side, I hope. Merry Christmas!
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You too!
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That’s a serious skill… I hope he knows how to reverse the process… (and that he doesn’t decide to bring in the sun)
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Ha! True that. Thanks, Bjorn.
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Dear Lish,
I laughed out loud at the end. Jimmy, put those planets back where you got them. Cute and funny. Thanks I needed that. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks so much for seeing the lighter side. Tis the season. Cheers, dear friend.
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i think this jimmy is naughty. no christmas presents for him if he doesn’t put them back. 🙂
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Right? Thanks for stopping by to read and comment.
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First laugh out loud in the lot!!! love it!!
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Oh, goody! I’m glad it made you laugh. Thanks.
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Ah, his own orrery, the real thing miniaturised!
Fabulous.
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Thanks! I would love to do that and have it in my room! Happy Holidays.
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When I was young I collected postage stamps – how things have changed!
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Right? Thanks, Keith. Merry Christmas.
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The boy could have been little Dougie. He’s always checking out the celestrial realm.
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I’m thinking it IS little Dougie. Dang, I wish I would have given the boy that name. Thanks, Russell.
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Think it sounds cool but if there’s any inhabitants on the planets they may not like the idea so much! Fun read.
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Oh! Didn’t think about that! 😉
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What a fun story!
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Glad you liked it! Thank you.
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She was remarkably restrained under the circumstances.
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There may be h*&l to pay later. Thaks, Liz
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Hahaha This was so cute. Nice job.
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Glad you liked it! Thanks and Happy Holidays.
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Lovely contrast between her benign existence alongside Jimmy then her discovery of what he’s been up to – beautifully written and a fantastic idea for a longer story.
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Thanks, Jilly. I’m glad you stopped by. Merry Christmas
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Merry Christmas to you, Alicia!
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Well, we all wonder what our kids are up to out there on the internets…great last line.
Funny, when I read the title, I wasn’t sure what was coming. In our neck of the woods, “exceptional” is a euphemism, used by the school system for kids with learning difficulties. :). Some of those “exceptional” kids who have splinter skills ( areas of impressive strength) might be able to pull something like this off!
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It’s amazing how many different ways one word can be used/interpreted. Thanks for reading! Merry Christmas.
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What a way to study the cosmos up close. Fun
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If wishes were horses . . . Thanks!
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Love the geekiness of Jimmy and as others have said, his down to earth mum. What’s a few missing planets here & there ? Witty writing. Well done.
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If it weren’t for those dang scientists perhaps no one would notice. Thanks. Happy Holidays.
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Wow he’s nicked the planets, he’s a very naughty boy. But you have to admire his ingenuity, nicely done
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He is a naughty, but very bright boy! Happy Holidays!
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Amazing imagination at work. Well done!
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Thanks!
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Loved the humorous tone. Reminded me of Sheldon in the ‘Big Bang Theory”.
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I’ve never watched the Big Bang Theory. Might need to. Thanks.
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Exceptional child, to say the least!
Good story.
Your fellow blogger,
Neil
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Indeed!
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LOL…well THAT was unexpected!
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Ha! Good. Merry Christmas.
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Merry Christmas Alicia.
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