table.â
At the back of the room, Sarah pulled a sheet off a long table. I couldnât see what was on the table but I could tell from the gasps of my classmates that whatever sat there wasnât anything normally found at J.R. Wilcott. Sludge, Eldrick, the twins, and I gingerly made our way to the table. There sat some of the strangest-looking things I had ever seen. I thought it was food but I wasnât one-hundred percent sure.
âUgh, take a whiff,â said Sludge holding his nose.
Something on the table smelled revolting. Like a gross mixture of dirty diapers and smelly socks. I looked at Sludge. He looked terrified. Lisa and Sarah, on the other hand, looked delighted.
âWe thought Olaf might be a bit homesick,â said Lisa smiling. âSo we surfed the internet to find out what foods are popular in Sweden. Our plan was to surprise him with a buffet of his favourite food. A smorgasbordâjust like at home!â
âWhat, uh, is this stuff?â I said, trying not to gag. I did my best not to breathe through my nose.
She pointed to a grey, fishy-looking thing that sat on a limp piece of dark brown bread. It looked raw. âHerring on ryeâStockholm style!â We must have looked clueless, because she continued her explanation. âSalted fish with onions, served on a lard spread.â
Eww!
Beside that was a mushy, brown concoction sprinkled with red blotches. âLiver pate with red beets.â
No explanation needed there! The last item on the table was the one stinking up the room. To my eye, it looked like cheese but, with a stench like that, I wasnât positive. The only cheese I ate came with macaroni. The room fell silent as Janine introduced the mystery item.
âWe read that they eat a lot of old, smelly cheeses in Sweden, so we got the stinkiest one we could find: finely-aged Limburger.â She sounded very proud of herself.
âWell?â said Lisa as she looked directly at me. I glanced nervously at Sludge for support.
âHe is your cousin,â said Janine. Worried, I looked at the twins for help.
Sarah was direct. âWe went through all this trouble for Olaf and heâs not here. Someoneâs got to try the smorgasbord...and since youâre the one whoâs related to him, it might as well be you.â I tried desperately to make eye-contact with Eldrick. âDig in,â said Sarah handing me a piece of slimy herring.
All of Wilcott was silently watching me. I swallowed hard and forced a tight smile. It was important I keep Olafâs Army happyâat least until the City Championship was over. Janine, Sarah and Lisa would be insulted if I didnât sample their hard work. I was backed into a cornerâa disgustingly smelly corner! The rest of Sick on a Snow Day looked on helplessly. I glanced at the herring in my hand. A purple onion dangled limply from its side. Closing my eyes, I put the fish in my mouth. I put it as far back on my tongue as it would go. My grand plan was to eat the slithery fish without chewing it. One huge gulp later, the herring was gone.
Sludge gave me a pat on the back. âOne down, two to go. You can do it!â he whispered in encouragement.
Next up was the liver and beets. Quickly, I slid it down my throat before it had a chance to infiltrate my taste buds. Done! Disgusting but done!
The final act was now: the super-smelly, nasty Limburger cheese. I was up to the challenge of slimy herring and mushy liver, but stinky cheese was another story. I wasnât a big fan of cheese. I rarely ate the stuff, even when it was the non-smelly, boring, yellow kind. I cut myself a little piece. My eyes started to water from the smell. But I continued. Sick on a Snow Day was worth a mouthful of grossness. Slowly, I brought the stink bomb of cheese to my lips. I caught another whiff and started to feel dizzy. I wanted to go through with it, but my mouth wouldnât open.
Suddenly, a cold hand