FACES children's story

Saturday morning meant chores. "Uggg."

Leah dragged herself out of bed and looked in the mirror. She scrunched up her face. It looked like an old witch mask she wore last year on Halloween.

Sounds from the kitchen meant mommy was up. How come she gets up so early, anyhow?

Ever since daddy moved away mommy always washes the dishes, instead of using the dishwasher. Then she attacks the kitchen floor with a flying mop, like right now.

Is this a dirty house or something?

She had questions, and more questions. Sometimes it was almost too much for a seven-year old girl to figure out.

Leah padded into the working area and into a trap.

"Want to help?" her mother asked sweetly, holding out the dripping mop, with cat hairs hanging from it.

"Yuck" answered Leah. Her face immediately went into action. Her bottom lip quickly moved over the top one. Both cheeks spread tightly over her cheekbones.

It was a "I'm-not- awake-yet type of face." She had practiced it often.

"Maybe after," she said.

Later during breakfast, mother and child sat having pancakes and maple syrup. Leah's favorite. Their friends, the Fishers had made it from their maple sugar bush north of Bass River.

This time Leah helped put the dishes away and cleaned off the table. Daddy used to help too, when he lived here.

She couldn't wait to get outside. The day was so sunny. Besides, her bicycle needed someone to take it for a ride. As her feet landed at the bottom of the front steps, Leah noticed her mother kneeling beside the porch.

She asked, "Do you want to help me plant a few flowers?"

Leah suddenly had a horrible look. This time her surprised face widened so much, her eyes almost popped out of her skull.

"Just when I was going to ride my bike," she answered sadly. There were tears in her voice.

"That's okay," her mother smiled patiently. "But, I'll be happy if you only plant two."

"Why only two?" Leah asked. Suddenly she was interested.

"One for you and one for me. I'll even give you first choice from these lovely petunias," mom’s happy face said.

Instead, Leah planted four. There was one for grandma Mildred and one for grandpa Ed, too. They live faraway in Toronto.

"Don't forget to come and join me for dinner at the Fisher's. I'm babysitting Paul for a few hours while his mom goes shopping."

Leah liked little Paul. He was a year and a half old and besides, he laughed a lot at her funny faces.

Before long, morning fun rushed by. After bicycle riding, there were tag games and skipping with friends. Then Leah scooted over to where mom was waiting.

"Just in time to help me change Paul's diapers," her mom said cheerfully.

"Yucky!" Leah answered quickly as a lightning bolt. Changing stinky diapers was not her favorite chore. Now her look was awesome.

She put on the absolute worst face she could make up. This time her ears stuck way out and you could hardly see her eyes. She blew out her cheeks until they looked like small hills.

Finally she settled down and watched as mommy carefully washed the little boy. She powdered and placed a clean diaper on him.

"There now Paul, doesn't that feel good?"

"Ya-ya" he answered looking at Leah with a loving smile. His eyes always brightened when she was around. She smiled back at him.

"Do you want to come to the store with me? I have to get a few things," her mother asked.

And again Leah made a nasty face. "But mom, I want to play some more with my friends. I promised."

"Okay then, If you promised. I believe you."

It was true. Her best friend Samantha from school was coming over to play with Leah soon.

After supper that night, Leah helped with the dishes. And without even being asked. She made a face at first, but it was not as nasty as usual. She even left out her usual whining.

Before you could shake a rabbit’s tail, she was into pajamas, brushing teeth and quickly sliding under bed covers.

"Mommy," she called out. "Tell me a story, please."

And her mom did just that.

"Tonight's story is about a little girl and her mommy who live in a large house. It’s huge as a mountain. And it has a tire swing in the backyard that can travel to the moon.

Pretty flowers dance in front of the house. Red is the little girl's favorite color. These special people even have dear friends who give them maple syrup.

And these friends have a handsome little son.
Guess what? His name is Paul. And, oh yes, this little girl can make the funniest faces."

By now both mom and daughter were laughing out loud. They have the same color of eyes, brown. Their hair is almost the same light shade too. But the most important part they share is their smiles.

Right now they stretched from ear to ear huge.

Leah knew one day she was going to grow up and be just like her mother.

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© 2008 Richard & Esther Provencher
All Rights Reserved