Making Faces (story)

Saturday morning meant housework. "UGGG!" Leah thought. She dragged herself out of bed. Then she looked in the mirror.

Her face looked like an old witch mask.

Kitchen sounds meant her mom was up. She always gets up early, especially since daddy moved away.

Now mom washes dishes instead of using the dishwasher. Then she attacks the kitchen floor with a flying mop.

Is this a dirty house or something? Should Leah be helping more? An eight-year old girl has to ask these questions.

Leah walked over to mom. And fell into a trap.

"Want to help?" her mother asked sweetly. She held out the dripping mop, full of cat hairs.

"YEEK!" Leah answered. Her face promptly went into motion. Her bottom lip covered the top one. Both cheeks pinched tightly over her cheekbones.

It was a, "I'm-not-yet-awake face." She had practiced it often before a mirror. "Maybe after," Leah said. “OKAAY?”

Later, mother and child had pancakes and maple syrup. It was Leah's favorite breakfast. The tasty maple syrup was a gift from the Fishers. It came from their maple sugar bush north of Bass River.

After breakfast Leah helped put the dishes away. And she cleaned off the table. Daddy used to help too, when he lived here.

Leah couldn't wait to get outside. Summer sun was waiting. Besides, her bicycle needed someone to go for a ride.

Leah tried not to notice mother in the flower garden.

“When you were younger, you always like to plant flowers. Do you want to help? Mother asked.

Leah put on a horrid look. Her surprised face widened. And her eyes almost exploded from her skull.

"I was going to ride my bike," she answered slowly. There seemed to be tears in her voice.

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

"Only two?" Leah asked. That should not take too long, she thought. "One for you and one for me. I'll even give you first choice from these lovely petunias." Mother’s smile was bright as a beautiful rainbow.

Leah decided to plant four instead. There was one for Grandma Mildred and one for Grandpa Ed, too. They lived far away in Toronto.

"Don't forget,” mom said, “we’re having lunch at the Fisher's. I'm babysitting Paul while his mom goes grocery shopping."

Leah liked Paul who was a year and a half old.

He laughed a lot at her funny faces.

Before long morning fun rushed by. After bicycle riding, there were touch tag games with friends, and skipping too. Then Leah hurried over to the Fishers.

"Want to help me change Paul's diapers?" mom asked cheerfully.

"EEAAK!" Leah answered quickly as a thunderbolt. Changing smelly diapers was not her favorite hobby.

She put on the worst face she could make up. Her ears stuck way out. You could hardly see her eyes. She puffed up her cheeks until they looked like small hills.

But, her mother ignored her.

Leah watched as her mom carefully washed the little boy. She powdered and placed a clean diaper on him. "There now Paul, doesn't that feel good?" mom asked.

"YA-YA" he answered. He looked at Leah with a loving smile. His eyes always brightened when she was around. Leah smiled back.

“I’m home,” Mrs. Fisher announced.

Everyone was happy, especially Leah.

"Want to come to the store with me? Mother asked. “I have to get a few things."

Leah made another sad face. "But mom,” she said. “I want to play some more with my friends. I promised."

"Okay then,” mom said. “If you gave your word, I believe you."

It was true. Leah’s best school pal, Samantha, was coming over.

After supper that night, Leah helped with the dishes. Without even being asked. She made a face at first. But it was not scary as usual.

She even left out her usual groaning.

Before you could say, “banana face,” Leah was in pajamas. Her teeth were brushed. And now she quickly leaped under bed covers.

"Mother?" Leah asked. "Please, tell me a story."

And mom did just that.

"It’s about a little girl and her mommy,” she said.

“They live in a large house. Oh, huge as a mountain,” she said. “It has a large tire swing in the backyard. And it can even travel to the moon.” She stopped and smiled at her little girl.

“Pretty flowers danced in front of the house,” mother continued.

“Red is the little girl's favorite color. These special people enjoy maple syrup on their pancakes. And their friends have a handsome little son.” Mother paused to see if Leah was listening.

“Try and guess what his name is?” Leah’s mother asked. “He really, really likes the little girl. Oh yes, this little girl can make the funniest faces."
Mom and daughter were now laughing together.

Leah’s mother continued, “They have the same color of eyes, brown. Their hair is almost the same light shade too, Brown. The best part they share is love for each other.”

Leah’s smile was bright as a rainbow.

She wanted to grow up and be just like mom.

- The End –

© Richard & Esther Provencher