The image of the mama and her wild children wafts into her consciousness. They were having snack time. “We’re going to start with our apples today, but we have to stay on our bottoms,” the mama says. “Katie, take out your binkie and eat your banana.” The binkie instruction is ignored. The children wander away from the couch and their piece of perfectly proportioned banana. This mama is a trickster. She tempted them with apples, and now she’s offering a third of a banana. They have a right to disobey. “Katie! Katie! Come back and sit on your bottom. Zachary! Zachary! Stay on your bottom over here. Don’t worry about Katie and the fun she’s having pulling the weird creatures off the shelf. Just enjoy your banana. On your bottom. Look, I’m almost finished my apple.”
In the background, a television blares. Three contestants. Two House Mamas and Shirone. A free- wielding single. They are flushed with excitement. There’s a car at stake and they understand the rules of this game. The simplicity of it all is what lured them in the first place. It’s ‘yes’ or ‘no,’ but if you don’t mind, we’ll put a camera in front of your face while you ponder. Are you willing to risk your six hundred and sixty six Temptation dollars? Great! Carpe Deum, Shirone! Carpe Deum, House Mamas!
The binkie has fallen out of Katie’s mouth and is now collecting dust and fuzzies from the creatures. Zachary is picking his nose. Half of his butt cheek rests on the sofa as he plots his escape…as soon as gets a hold of the booger…The trickster mama is crying now. Well, she’s not actually crying, but she wants to. Where did she go wrong? She turns to the mama-to-be huddled in the corner with her laptop and whispers: “They’re not always like this. Everyone’s just a little bit off today.” The three of them are so homely with their pasty skin, it’s hard to be sympathetic. Why doesn’t she just… “Life used to be so simple, you know. I agonize over differential equations for fun. I speak four languages, okay? But getting them to eat their damn snack…you know…on their bottoms. Anyway, good luck with—” She turns away mid-sentence, distracted by the chaos. Her chaos.
Well, Shirone? The camera zooms in tight. Applause. It’s official. Shirone is risking his Temptation dollars! He’s wants the car…and not to mention that he loves this show. Good gracious, he can’t wait to come back tomorrow. Sorry House Mamas. Don’t be despondent. You have earned yourself a fruit plate.
3 Comments
love the second last paragraph…”damn snack…you know…on their bottoms” – we are all so distracted by our own chaos. Very poignant.
love you
Nat
I like the narration as told but I am confused to wonder if this is another projection of fear or an actual observation.
Either way it is a reminder, like leadership, that when we plan for or in the case of most have it thrust upon them, there is never enough preparation. We want good little children, mindful and obedient. There is no evil intent when they react. There is no malicious conspiracy to escape the grips of parents at large. Cute silly little children. Reminders that being a trickster is not a bad thing. A loving kind version of Coyote who refuses to be the villain.
becca. it might be time to write a book? i am far too often left hanging. xo
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