EGGSILANCE

I was standing by our dining room table, a cloth in one hand and a spray bottle of Windex in the other, when my son, Alex, came into the room.

“What are you up to?” He asked.

“It’s that time of year again!” I said as I picked up an alabaster egg, nestled it in the cloth, and gave it a squirt of Windex.

Alex looked over at the bowl in the middle of the dining room table filled with alabaster eggs. He picked up a green marbled one. “I remember these being out on the table every Easter since I was little.” He recalled.

“I’ve been collecting these since before you were even born.” I smiled as I placed the one I’d just cleaned into the bowl and picked up the next one to be cleaned.

Alex shrugged his shoulders as he put the egg down. “Well, I’m glad you like them.”

“You don’t?” I was surprised.

Alex shrugged his shoulders again. “They’re fine, I guess. I really hadn’t given them much thought.”

“Well, I like the marbled looking ones the best.” I placed the next shined egg in the bowl. “Did you know they make these in Italy?”

“Okay.” Alex nodded as he headed to the kitchen.

“Did you know Aunt Lizzy used to work in a card shop that sold these?” I called to him trying to get him interested in the conversation.

“You don’t say.” Alex leaned against the door frame holding a clementine.

“Seriously. It was right by the Shop Rite we go to.” I put the last one back in the bowl and stepped back to admire their shine. “The first time I went to visit her at her store I saw these and fell in love.” I moved the bowl so it was more centered. “That’s when I started this collection.”

“Interesting.” He said as he began to peel the clementine.

“Yup.” I moved one of the eggs in the bowl so that two of the same color weren’t next to each other. “The card store is gone now.” I sighed. “It got replaced with a liquor store.”

“Seriously?” Alex sounded shocked. “You mean to tell me they can make more money selling liquor than alabaster eggs?”

“Hey!” I laughed. “Now you’re making fun of me!”

My husband Steven walked into the room. “What’s so funny?” He asked.

“Ask Mom to tell you the story about her alabaster eggs.” Alex said.

“Don’t.” I laughed as I looked over at Steven shaking my head. “Clearly I just bored your son to death.”

“It wasn’t boring.” He insisted as he held out a section of the fruit to me. “Do you want a piece?”

“Sure.” I took the piece from him. “Thanks.” I said as I popped it into my mouth, still shaking my head but smiling.

Steven looked confused. “What’s the story with the eggs?”

Alex turned and headed back to his room. “They’re from Italy!” He called over his shoulder. “And for some reason people like buying wine instead of alabaster eggs!”

Steven looked even more confused. “What?”

“Never mind.” I laughed as I moved the bowl once again. “I think they’re beautiful!”