Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Mothers (05/02/05)
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TITLE: Home Alone with Elvis | Previous Challenge Entry
By Pam Kumpe
05/08/05 -
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The music blared from the turn table and the smell of freshly brewed coffee perked on the stove, the aroma sweeping through the kitchen.
Annie, home alone with a virus moved to the sofa, gathered up her blanket. She curled up on one end of the couch, listening to the lyrics, “Return to sender, address unknown, no such number, no such home.”
Throwing off the blanket, Annie remembered the coffee and poured a cup. She added some cream, dished out a spoon full of sugar from the crystal bowl and took a whiff.
Stirring the coffee with a tea spoon, she inhaled the aroma, “Sniff, sniff. Umm…smells good.” She whispered.
Annie took the coffee mug in one hand, careful not to spill, and carried it to the living room.
She placed the cup of coffee on the end table, near the album cover with Elvis’ picture on it, and relished the smell of the coffee.
On the table sat Mom’s bible, the book already opened to a page. Annie picked up the bible reading the highlighted text, “…tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done...”
Sitting back on the sofa, she whispered a little prayer, thanking God for her mother. She flipped through the bible, eventually dozing off as Elvis serenaded her.
Creak, the front door opened, startling Annie, and she popped up from beneath the blanket.
Stuck on “Wise men say, only fools rush in, but I can’t help falling in love with you,” the record kept repeating the words.
“Mom, you’re home early.” Annie cried. “I wish you could have been here all morning.”
Touching her daughter’s forehead Mom said, “Seems your fever is down. How are those sniffles?” Mom turned off the music, shaking her head in wonder.
“I’m better, now.” Annie assured, “Really, I’m much better.”
Suddenly, Mom stopped, pointed at the coffee mug. “Annie, what is this? Have you been drinking coffee?” Mom quizzed, her voice rising. “And when did you start listening to my Elvis records?”
“No, Mom.” Annie explained. “The coffee, it just sat there on the table, really.”
“Why?”
“I played your Elvis records and made a pot of coffee, so…” Annie paused. “It was so that it would “smell” and “sound” like you were at home. That way, I wasn’t so lonely.”
“Oh honey, I’m sorry, I left you home alone.” Mom said. “I won’t do it again. I love you.”
Annie whispered, returning the hug, “I love you, too.”
Later, Annie rested in her own bed, and hummed, “Love me tender, love me sweet, never let me go. You have made my life complete and I love you so.”
As Mom stood outside her daughter’s room, sipping coffee, somehow she knew those words were meant just for her!
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How true that certain songs and smells can make another seem close.