CORONA CLEANING

I was walking into the kitchen when the light through the back door showed some dust bunnies tumbling past the refrigerator. “Oh, come on!” I cried as I went to the front hall closet to get the broom and dust pan. I began sweeping the dust bunnies into a pile when I noticed more dirt by the garbage pail. “I just swept this floor twenty minutes ago!” I called out to no one in particular.

My son Alex came into the kitchen. “Were you calling me?” he asked.

“I was if you’re the one that keeps missing the garbage pail when you’re throwing something out.”

“Nope not me.” he said as he pulled the garbage drawer open for me to dump the contents of the

dust pan.

“You know I had such big plans when we first got stuck in the house.” I went to put the broom away. “I wanted to organize my office, clean out my closets, maybe even paint a room.”

“Paint a room?” Alex looked doubtful.

“Okay, maybe not paint a room.” I was ready to close the closet door when I peeked under the dining room table and saw some more crumbs. “Oh, for the love of …! This is never ending!” I grabbed the broom again, went over to the dining room table and began pulling the chairs out of the way. “But instead all I do is maintenance. I’m either cleaning the kitchen, cooking, doing laundry or SWEEPING!”

“Stop driving yourself crazy.” Alex pushed the chairs back in. “Dad and I don’t even see the dirt.”

“I know.” I shook my head as I went back to put the broom away again. “I don’t know how you can’t see it.”

Alex shrugged her shoulders. “It’s a gift.”

I went back into the kitchen to make a cup of tea and looked out the window. “At least it’s a beautiful day out.”

“See, now you’re looking on the bright side.”

“Maybe I’ll sit on the back porch and drink my tea.”

“That’s a great idea.” He was reaching in the drawer to get a pan out. “I was going to make eggs. Do you want any?”

I got my kettle and went to the sink to fill it. “I’m good, I think I just want tea this morning.” I had to move the stack of dishes that were in the sink to get the faucet. I turned around and pointed to the dishes. “I’m assuming you didn’t see this either?”

Alex put the pan on the stove and looked over to the sink. “Nope. First time I’m seeing it.”

“Boy, that certainly is an amazing gift you’ve got. Being blind to chores.” I went to get a cup and tea bag.

“You should try it. Maybe you wouldn’t be so stressed.” He cracked the egg against the pan.

I stopped and just stared at him.

Then he said, “Or, I could load the dishwasher after I’m done making my eggs.”

I reached over to the drawer and pulled out a spatula and handed it to him. “Good answer.”