My son Alex came into the kitchen as I was busy beating some eggs in a bowl.
“Oh, good! You’re up!” I held out the bowl for him to see. “Do you want some eggs for breakfast?” I went over to the sink to peek inside the watering can I was filling to see if the water had reached the top before I turned off the water.
Going back over to the stove I pushed the basket of dirty laundry out of the way with my foot before looking over at him to get his answer.
“Um.” He was looking around the kitchen where the dishwasher door was open and the clean dishes were halfway put away. “Sure.” He went over to get a cup out of the cabinet.
I reached over to grab another egg from the carton, cracked it into the bowl and began scrambling the mixture some more.
“I’m glad you’re up!” I poured the eggs into the pan before reaching down to scoop up the laundry basket. “Can you watch the eggs while I start a load of laundry?”
“Okay.” He picked up the spatula next the the pan and stood ready.
“Great! I’ll be right back!” I went downstairs to start the first load of the day.
A few minutes later I was back and took the spatula out of his hand. “Do you want to pour us some orange juice?”
I reached over to push down the toast that was already waiting in the toaster.
“Are you okay?” he asked as he went over to the refrigerator to take out the orange juice.
“Sure, why?” I reached into the dishwasher and put two glasses on the counter for him.
“You seem…” he seemed to be searching for the right word. “Busy.”
“Hey, I’ve got a lot to get done.” I reached back into the dishwasher to pull out two plates for the eggs. “Oh, wait!” I looked over at him. “Did you want cheese on your eggs?” I was headed to the refrigerator.
Alex caught me by the arm. “I’m good. I don’t need cheese.”
“Oh, okay.” I went back to the stove just as the toast popped up from the toaster. Grabbing the toast I quickly tossed the slices on the plates. “Ouch.” I quickly began waving my hand. “That was a little bit too hot.”
Alex was shaking his head as he went over to the table carrying the two glasses of orange juice. “You’ve got to slow down.” He put the glasses down and turned around to see me holding my tea cup and drinking the last of my tea.
“Wait a minute!” Alex was still shaking his head.
“What?” I picked up the plates with the eggs and toast on them and brought them over to the table.
“How many cups of tea have you had this morning?”
I put the plates down and shrugged my shoulders. “I don’t know. Two or maybe it was three.” I went over to the refrigerator. “Do you want butter or jelly on your toast?”
“Oh, it was definitely three!” Alex started to laugh. “I’ll take butter, please.”
I reached in the refrigerator and took out the butter.
“What do you mean it was definitely three?” I was headed back to the table when I walked past the sink to see the filled watering can sitting there. “Oh man!” I handed Alex the butter. “I’ve got to get the mums watered.” I grabbed the watering can and headed for the back door. “They’re starting to get droopy and mums aren’t as forgiving as some other plants.” I opened the door and looked over at Alex. “I’ll be right back. Start eating without me!”
As I walked out the door I could hear Alex saying, “Oh, it was definitely three.”
Slice of Life 