Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Funny (10/04/12)
-
TITLE: SUNDAY MORNING SCURRY | Previous Challenge Entry
By Anita van der Elst
10/09/12 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
Eggs with curry powder, bell peppers, mushrooms, and crumbled cooked bacon. One of these days I’m going to concoct a breakfast casserole made of those ingredients and call it just that. Sunday Morning Scurry.
My childhood imagination always took me into realms of possibilities. Now as an adult it serves to disconnect me from present surroundings, serves to make a place for hope. My hands turn faucet handles to rinse oatmeal off bowls as I see myself creating exotic dishes, competing on a reality cooking show, winning first place—the prize, having my cookbook published.
My daughter’s screeching serves to jolt my daydream with a nightmare halt.
“Mo-o-o-o-o-o-m!” Twelve-year old Adrienne pronounces that word with the exasperation and volume worthy of any official teen. There’s an attitude needing an adjustment pretty darn soon.
Dragging her little brother by the wrist, Adrienne careens into the kitchen. “Look! Just look!” she yells, her free hand waving and circling Dominick’s head. “Dad left his electric shaver out again and Dummie, of course, used it!”
My eyebrows arch as I take in the absence of Dominick’s. I direct my eyes towards Adrienne. “I see,” I dry my hands on grandma’s embroidered Busy Hen Iron on Tuesday towel. “Not quite the grooming I was hoping for but, honey, calling him names isn’t going to help.”
“There’s no way I’m going to church with him!” Adrienne says. “He looks ridiculous! It’s embarrassing. Everybody will stare at us. The other kids will make fun of me because they know they can’t make fun of him.” Crossing her arms, she whines, “Why do I have to have a retarded brother.”
This is not the first time in his eleven years that Dominick has done something silly. And this is not the first time Adrienne has used this term but it is outside of Dommie’s comprehension. He only thinks he’s funny, the-Dick-van-Dyke-TV-show-he-watches-every-day funny, and that’s why people laugh at him. He swings his grinning face from his sister’s rage to my compressed lip stoicism.
“Dommie, you really need to remember to ask before you use Daddy’s things,” I bend forward and rub his buzz cut hair, the result of his father’s forgetfulness a few days ago. I need to remind this boy’s father of a few things too. I shake my head. “Go put your shoes on, Dommie.” Good thing hair grows back but, oh my, until then, we’ve definitely got an oddity here.
Dominick nods and grunts his laughter while I hold mine in.
“Adrienne, just finish getting ready for church.” As my daughter stomps away, I add, “And while you’re at it, make a mental note that Dommie’s behavior is not a definition of you. Your behavior is.”
I believe Adrienne will someday see the humor in this situation. Hanging Busy Hen over the towel rack and barely suppressing a giggle, I let my thoughts return to browsing where they left off.
Wouldn’t it be a kick in the pants if I won a reality cooking show with this very recipe, Sunday Morning Scurry. Wouldn’t it be hilarious to talk about how on the morning the idea came to me, my son shaved off his eyebrows.
(Author’s note: This is a fictional piece inspired by real-life experience.)
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
God bless~