Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Green (10/22/09)
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TITLE: Top to Bottom | Previous Challenge Entry
By Laury Hubrich
10/29/09 -
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“You have a room full of toys. Pick something so you aren’t late for the bus.”
The little girl stood up and gave her mom ‘the look’, with hands on hips to complete the effect. Today is green day.”
Patty hit her head with her hand. “Green day. I forgot. Let’s see. What about green candies?”
The little girl’s pigtails flew back and forth.
“Oh, I know. I could make green eggs. How about that?”
“That’s a kindigarden thing. I’m in first grade.”
“Go ahead and get dressed. I’ll find you something. No worries, okay, Lex?” Patty kissed her daughter on the top of her head.
The phone rang and Patty answered. She worked at a fast gab pace, phone under the chin, head cocked to the side. She made breakfast and changed Bryce. Then she sat him on the floor while she picked up stray toys.
“Hold on a sec,” she told the caller. “Lexi, are you dressed? Time for breakfast.”
“Coming.”
Lexi flounced into the room. Patty dropped the phone and Bryce squealed.
The girl wore a white shirt with green polka dots and newly finger-painted green tennis shoes, which used to be white, and a mint green tutu over pine green tights.
A voice from the floor asked, “Hello? Everything okay? Hello!”
Lexi danced around the room. The baby giggled and drooled.
Patty picked up the forgotten phone. “Your granddaughter has turned green on me.” She stared at her daughter in amazement.
The Green Girl stood in front of her brother and curtsied. The little boy hiccuped, which made him giggle even more.
Patty described Lexi’s outfit to her mother and snorts erupted from the phone. Patty laughed again. Bryce giggled so hard he fell backwards onto a pile of pillows positioned for just such an occasion.
”Gotta go, Mom.” Patty hung up the phone and gave her wayward child her full attention. “Okay, enough Kiddo. Time to eat.”
Patty picked up Bryce, along with a toy he refused to part with. She set him in the high chair, round cereal bites scattered on his tray.
Lexi gulped down her toast and milk. “Mommy, did you find something green for me?”
“I think you are the show and tell. You look like a Christmas tree or a dill pickle.”
They both laughed and Bryce banged his toy which sent cereal flying.
“I need something else, too. Kelly dressed all in black and she brought a book for black day.”
“A black book, I take it?” Patty smirked.
“How did you know? You’re smart, Mommy. A little black one. Her mommy came to school. Kelly got called to the office and she didn’t come back with it.”
Lexi sat her knees on the chair and her elbows on the table and whispered. “She said her mommy and Daddy argued that night. When she woke up, her daddy was asleep on the couch.”
Patty covered her smile. “Oh, that kind of black book. It’s time to go now. You’ll have to pass on the green toy. I’m sorry.”
Lexi jumped from the chair and stomped into the living room.
“Enough, young lady. I mean it, get your backpack, it’s time for the bus.”
‘I can’t go without it. I feel sick.” She feigned a few coughs and felt her forehead.
“Come on now.” Patty picked up Bryce and scooted Lexi through the door.
They walked down the sidewalk. Lexi dragged her bag behind her. The trio watched down the road for the big yellow bus.
“Brycie, don’t hit me. Mommy!”
Patty took the toy out of the baby’s hand. “Ummm…Lexi?”
The girl looked at her mom.
“What color is this, Honey?”
“Green,” she said, and then her eyes opened wide. “Green! It’s green. Bryce, you’re the best!” Patty knelt down so Lexi could plant a big, sloppy kiss on his cheek. Lexi stuck the plastic dinosaur in her bag just in time for the bus.
Later that morning, Patty glanced in Lexi’s room and saw the most peculiar sight: on the floor lay a previously unopened package of green panties. The pack of three was now reduced by one.
Patty laughed until tears ran down her face. She dialed the phone. “Mom,” she stopped to catch her breath, “you’ll never guess. Lexi is literally green from top to bottom.”
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Colin
Great dialog between mother and son. It sounds very natural, and carries the story VERY well! The voice is comfortable, and this story was a true pleasure to read. Kudos!
Really great take on the topic!