“I want a parade,” Quaz said poutingly.
A parade, I thought. It looks like a wonderful day for a parade. Maybe I’ll take Quaz and join Pheli’s class in the leisurely stroll.
Just then Leaky comes through the door. I noticed his glasses were bent, which let me know he fell asleep with them on again.
“G’morning, Ma,” he yawned.
“G’morning, son. Let me see your glasses. How’d you sleep?”
“Good.”
Leaky was never one for many words. He said what was needed and not much else.
I straightened his glasses’ frame and handed them back to him.
“Son, I want you to get ready for school. Go in the bathroom and take your clothes off. Turn the shower on. Get in the tub. Put soap on the washcloth. Wash your entire body, then stand under the water and rinse off. Dry yourself off, and then get dressed, ok?”
“Yes ma’am,” he said., as he left the room.
“And son? Don’t forget to brush your teeth.”
“I won’t.”
I had to be specific with Leaky. If not, the job would not get done. He was seven years old and diagnosed with ADHD. (I’ll write more on that at another time.) So he paid little or no attention.
As Leaky shut the door behind him, I could hear footsteps from the third floor.
“G’morning, Boo,” I called out.
“Morning, Mom! Only four more days of getting up early, YES!” She was so enthusiastic about it! “Aren’t you happy, Mom?”
“Ecstatic,” I said sarcastically. “Woo-hoo!”
Boo-Boo needed no instructions. She was nine years old and knew what to do in the mornings. She knew how to do it and did it quite well. She’d shower, pick out her own clothes, and coordinate her outfit with her jewelry and shoes. She would even help to get her brothers ready, and took the responsibility of being my only daughter and first born child very seriously. She was always willing to lend a hand.
Everyone was finally dressed and out the door promptly by eight o’clock. Quaz and I had a wonderful day. We had breakfast, watched an educational video, did some writing, and walked in the parade with Pheli. We had a great time. Soon, school was over and everyone was back home.
