Our 20th most-read article of 2020.

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Originally published March 31, 2020.

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The Bathroom

Frog stood outside the bathroom door. He could hear Toad splashing inside.

“Toad! Toad!” shouted Frog. “Open up!”

“Blah,” said a voice from the tub.

“Toad,” shouted Frog. “You’ve been in there for an HOUR!”

“Go away. I feel anxious,” said Toad, hiding under the bubbles.

“But Toad,” said Frog, “we only have one bathroom!”

Toad did not answer.

“Toad!” yelled Frog as he banged on the bathroom door. “You must get out of the bathtub! I need to use the toilet!”

Toad ignored Frog’s knocking.

He hugged his rubber duck tight.

“No virus in the bathtub,” whispered Toad to his duck. “We’re safe in here.”

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Netflix

Toad and Frog sat on the couch.

“Hmmm,” said Frog. “What do you want to watch tonight?”

“Nothing looks good,” said Toad.

Frog and Toad scrolled through Netflix for 20 minutes.

“Frog, I cannot pick,” said Toad, “Let’s watch Love Is Blind again.”

“There must be something else,” said Frog.

They scrolled through Netflix for another 20 minutes.

Love Is Blind it is,” said Frog.

“I like the part where the lady gives her dog wine,” said Toad.

“Me too,” said Frog.

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Personal Space

Frog bounced into Toad’s room.

“Hello Toad,” said Frog. “What are you doing?”

“Frog,” said Toad. “I need some alone time.”

“You’ve been alone all day,” said Frog. “It is time to socialize.”

Frog lay down on Toad’s bed.

Toad looked unhappy.

“Frog,” said Toad. “Please get off of my bed.”

“I feel fine,” said Frog, as he climbed under Toad’s blankets.

Toad looked even more unhappy.

“Frog, boundaries are important in a relationship,” Toad gulped. “Especially now.”

Frog snuggled into Toad’s pillows.

“I’m so bored,” said Frog. “Tell me a story.”

Toad began to bang his head against the wall.

“Why are you banging your head against the wall?” asked Frog.

“Because,” said Toad, “you do not listen to me. And you are very needy.”

“Well,” said Frog, “I NEED you to stop!”

Frog laughed very hard at his little joke.

Toad stared at Frog. The silence was uncomfortable.

“Frog,” said Toad. “Get out of my room.”

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Grocery Shopping

Toad and Frog went down to the grocery store.

“Toad,” said Frog, “there is no more toilet paper.”

Toad lowered his head in frustration.

“I told you to get extra two weeks ago,” said Toad.

“I know,” said Frog, “I am sorry.”

“What are we going to do!” exclaimed Toad.

Frog held up a package of coffee filters.

Toad stared at Frog in disgust.

“They are soft,” said Frog, “and biodegradable!”

Toad thought about his options.

“Put them in the cart,” said Toad.

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News

Toad was sitting on the front porch.

Frog came outside and sighed, “What is wrong, Toad?”

“This is my sad time of day,” said Toad. “It is the time I read the news.”

“Oh,” said Frog.

“Yes,” said Toad, “it always makes me very unhappy.”

“Why is that?” asked Frog.

“Because the news is very bad,” said Toad.

“It is,” agreed Frog. “That is why I do not read the news.”

“What!” cried Toad, incensed. “You must read the news! It is very irresponsible not to!”

“The news makes me scared,” said Frog.

“The world is in trouble!” yelled Toad.

“I am practicing self-care!” yelled Frog.

Frog and Toad stood on the porch, feeling angry together.

“I’m going to self-quarantine alone,” said Frog.

“Good,” said Toad.

Frog and Toad stood on the porch, feeling sorry for themselves.

“I’m going,” said Frog.

“Well, go,” said Toad.

Frog and Toad stood in silence.

“I am sorry we fought,” said Frog.

“Me too,” said Toad, “I don’t want to be alone.”

“Me neither,” said Frog.

They smiled at each other.

“Toad,” said Frog, “if I make mac ’n cheese with extra cheddar and cut-up hotdogs, can we be friends again?”

“Yes,” said Toad.

They went inside to wash their hands together.

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Read an interview with Jennie Egerdie about the inspiration for writing this piece over on our Patreon page.

SEE ALSO:

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After Months In Self-Quarantine