Here is a description of your company. Proin ex id consectetur lobortis. Aliquam, velit vel faucibus dapibus, augue justo ullamcorper turpis, nec convallis metus nunc vel turpis.
There is no dignified way to
pee on a stick.
Perched
on the American Standard
- too nervous to go -
she sits legs apart
on the balls of her feet : elbows resting on thighs.
.any minute now.
Her right hand extends into the bowl.waiting patiently : grips the plastic end of a pregnancy test that promises to deliver the most accurate results you can get three days before your missed period.
She noticed this fact too late and sits in the seat of judgment at the tail end on the wrong side of that three day
window.
Does it even matter?
She adjusts awkwardly, trying to rest only the fleshiest parts onto the edge of the rim. The empty hand reaches up once again to reverse the glasses sliding down her nose
then tightens to a fist
- elbow resuming its rest -
to support her heavy head.
D.E.E.P inhale.
sPuTtErInG sigh.
fluTtering lips.
Drizzle.
.Rain.
Waterfalls.
You need to relax.
You just drank
a shitton of water.
You need to pee.
.b.r.e.a.the.
The empty hand swings down
to mouth which seeks out
the corners of her nails.
Nibble nibble. Bite and rip. It's a rip that pulls
a bit too far and at its end
a tiny bead of blood forms.
pools.
.I always
peed in the ool.
Down below muscles relax : hesitant; slow.
.that's it.
remember all
that water now?
A little light trickle.
.come on, pee.
turn into a stream.
She twists and squeezes what she hopes is her bladder :
(otherwise she definitely
pulled something)
Release.
Success.
A hearty jet splashes off the white and lavender plastic, spraying her fingers -
the unavoidable side effect.
Careful.careful to maintain
its horizontal position : just the tip of her tongue peeking out from right corner, she turns.rests the saturated test on the edge of the sink,
the offending end hovering over
the basin.
.Roll.
.Roll.
.Roll.
- rip.
Dab
dab.
W e.
i p
front back
.to.
.very important.
She stands,
pulling up as she straightens. Her skirt falls from where it was collected.settles round her shins.
With her tongue,
she seeks out the fraying bits of her chapped lips,
chewing absentmindedly.
Okay.
TIME
She checks the watch lying above her pulse.
E.m.b.a.r.r.a.s.s.i.n.g.l.y
the calculation takes a few seconds.
Square watches are difficult.
.Right Angles.
Focus.
Finally.
Wait for the second hand:
8:45
=>
When she was young
the mom lost her babe
because
she was sure
she had failed
me
=>
I got you babe.
Boom-Boom.
Boom-Boom.
I got you babe.
Boom-Boom.
Boom-Boom.
her mother sings as she holds her close,
swaying gently.
The song reverberates
in her chest.
Rest head to heart.
She will miss the safety
of that lap.
Today,
too young to reminisce,
she bursts up excited.
Mommy?
Yes baby girl?
She grins up at her : conspiring.
Shalllllll
weeeeeeee -
Dance?
Her mother picking up the cue continues :
1, 2, 3,
AnD
they’re off.
After a moment of calculated adjustment, she is riding on her mother’s feet.waltzing around the living room floor.
Shuffle.
Shuffle.
sTep.
Shuffle.
Shuffle.
sTep.
Spin.
Spin.
Spin.
S l o w
iT dOWn
- nOw -
She begins to sway.
small rocking steps.
She sings softly.sadly.
As they spin, she looks up into her beautiful face.
Is this
the little girl
I carried?
Is this
the little girl
at play?
I don’t remember
growing older.
When did they?
When did she
get to be
a beauty?
When did she
grow to be
so tall?
Wasn’t it
yesterday when
they were small?
=>
SunRIse, sunset
SunRIse, sunset
Swiftly flow the days
rises from a synthesizer
on the perimeter of the park.
It floats on the grey wind, lilting over the din
of the gathered horde.
The fountain lies purposeless - a sunken bowl in the park center.
On this moderate day, opportunists fill its tiers chattering in tongues : taking that picture of the arch.
In the desiccated basin,
a confused soccer game
is taking place.
A baby girl
in a puffy lavender coat
- running on new legs -
is kicking the smallest soccer ball around the stage.
At intervals, she forgets about her feet.stoops to pick up
the ball with her hands :
she forgets about her father waiting patiently for the return.runs up the steps to her mother who sits propped on
the fountain’s ledge.
Her mother makes cooing sounds of ‘Oh-that’s-nice-honey’ as she primps the little girl’s loose curls - kept away
from her face with bug.eye sunglasses. They are the curls only baby girls are blessed with - wispy but organized - curls that have yet to learn the unruly influence of humidity.
She glances down at
the soccer ball.remembers
there was some.place she.had
to.be.
She.
bOUnds.
back dOWn.
towards the.
center
where her father waits.
After her initial kick,
he keeps the game going with his hands in the pockets of his dark.blue.jeans - ever the cool dad. His hair - silvering to distinction at the tips - fades to a deep brown at the base of his neck and by his ears.
He wears dark aviators - reflecting the day back at itself.
Oof.
Her kick is aimed too high. He’s hit!
She has awakened the
TICKLE MONSTER!
Growling at her giggles, he rears up - showing his claws.
He stoops to lift her
- captured -
she squirms as he exacts his revenge. The volley of kisses misses its target of cheek taking root on her chin.
=>
Chin up, baby girl.
The chin is raised.
A glare is there.
Sor-ry.
As you were.
There is a little girl across the way, adjusting every few seconds against the inevitable sliding on the subway seat.
Her deep brown eyes are set firm below a prominent unibrow that furrows in judgement at the elbows and bellies of
the standing adults.
She slumps only as far as
her puffy coat will allow, propped up by down.polyester. Stuffed turkey.
Her mother sits beside her, engrossed in her phone.
Stretching straining,
the little girl leans
over her mother’s arm.
Little of apparent interest.
She settles back into her seat :
deflating.
She looks around,
scowling at anyone
who dares challenge her
with eye contact.
Moments are passed in silent boredom. . .
She suddenly remembers the bottom of her Dora boot which begs for close inspection.
She twists and grips the boot.
pulls foot up toward her face.
Harrumph.
(little frown)
little of interest,
the extremity is dropped,
left to dangle
a foot from the floor.
It is her zipper
that fascinates her next.
After a few exciting ascensions toward her chin even this
loses its appeal. She continues the motion absent mindedly, looking blankly around the car.
Her mom, done with important business, stows her phone
and sighs and looks up at
the ceiling.
=>
She looks up at the ceiling as the child wails.
iPad!
iPad!
She places the thin sleek pad high on countertop.
.b.r.e.a.t.h.e.
She bides her time before moving :
gets down on her knees :
rests her hands gently
but firmly
on his shoulders.
Ari.
She stares him down.
He squirms.
He flails.
He twists his face away and shuts his eyes.
He whines.
Ari.
Her voice is calm.
Her eyes are steady.
He writhes.
He wriggles.
He relents.
They sEE each other.
Ari.
It is not time
for the iPad.
Would you like
to read a book?
Or...
look at this -
- she lifts a wooden block - one of many s r n
t e
w
across the floor.
Her voice is animated -
the excitement is building.
Want to construct
a tower
all the way
up to the sky?
She stretches long to demonstrate the heights to which they may go.
He babbles dissent.jerks
- suddenly - slithering free.sputtering his lips. spraying her with spit.
He smirks.
She watches him
as he bounces away
on padded toes
in footie pajamas
- the bulge of his diaper swelling l w.
o
Okay.
Time to change
your diaper
and then
you, sir
(notes the time gratefully)
are off to bed.
She scoops him up and with some difficulty bears the thrashing toddler into his bedroom.
Kerplunk!
She deposits him onto
the changing table.
(affected gasp)
Is that...
is that
your belly?
(stifled giggle)
Uh oh.
He looks up at her, eyes alight, gapped toothy grin, expectant.
.sbbbbbpppfffttt.
A sputtering raspberry explodes on protruding belly.
He laughs at the vibrations, giggling gleefully.
She pokes the button once before arming herself with
a clean diaper and easily
accessible wipes.
(the great unveiling)
Eeuuuw.
You, my friend,
have made quite
the impressive load.
(tiny peek.quickly resealed)
Eeuuuw.
His dimples deepen
as he titters.
An automaton,
she swiftly and with purpose does the initial wipe -
pulling the diaper off and setting it aside. Holding him aloft by his ankles, she does
a thorough wipe down,
setting each soiled wipe
in the discarded diaper.
Squirm. Wriggle. Slap.
Oy.Vey. Don't touch that.
Double check. No diaper rash.
Shining pink bottom.
She collects the refuse and fastens it securely in the contained unit. She lifts the lid of the garbage pail with the press of her foot.
.buckets.
One more raspberry for good measure as she dresses him in a new diaper and zips him back into his jamjams.
She places him on her hipbone and waltzes around the room once : twice - dipping him low with dramatic flair.
Theeeeeee
itsy bitsy
spider...
(dip.swoop)
cliiiiiimbed
up the waterspout.
His wispy blonde hair floats away from his head as
he bounces in the breeze.
She pulls him close to her.
blows a raspberry on his neck.
I love you.
I lOve you.
I love you.
I lOve you.
I love you.
Another raspberry planted on chubby soft skin.
An’ I cAyn’t
stAn’ ’im.
He tilts his head towards her, warding off exaggerated displays of affection,
little sausage fingers
pushing her away.
Alllllright.
I know when
I’m not wanted.
(playing at offense)
A dimple appears on his face.
Whack!
Oh!
You got me.
She holds his hand firmly -
preventing further abuse.
She holds him close.
breathes in.
kisses him gently on
the forehead
- crossing to his crib - lowers him :
AwKward landing.
Sorry.Oops.
S'Ok, mafriend.
Roll and Recover.
Picking up his blanket
she makes a whooshing wind. covers him once.twice before tucking him in.
Stroking his hair away from forehead, fingertips lightly grazing scalp,
she murmurs :
Alright, Ari.
We had a good time, yea?
We read some books
and sang some songs
and played with blocks.
And now its time for bed alright love?
You’re going to fall asleep
and before you know it
tomorrow will be here and you’ll get to spend
the whole day with
your parents.
It’s supposed to be
nice tomorrow.
They consider the weather for a moment, watching each other.
A final pat on his belly,
she turns to leave.
Night night!
His voice resounds.
Night night, Ari.
as she turns off the light.
Night night!
His voice repeats.
Night night, Ari
as she closes the door.
Night night!
- he calls through the door.
She is silent.
He needs his rest.
Her part for the night is done.
The long exhale :
=>
.this will all be over
in one minute.
.that's what she said.
.and you'll feel stupid
that you worried at all.
there is nothing to worry about
.unless
there is.
=>
Nom nom nom.
Dribble drool.
Crinkle crinkle.
Stubby fingers grip
a plastic bottle.
Drippy drooly pouty mouth
licks it, tastes it,
tests it out.
Strapped to weary woman's chest, baby boy blue enjoys
his horn.
Rumble down the tunnel.
The silver snake winds
its way along the track.
Weary woman pushes off
the worn wood bench.
With a small grunt she adjusts baby boy blue and his bottle
too.
A puff of air
escapes fluttering lips.
A strand of hair is twirled.
wound back behind unpierced ear
the jaw is set : firm : strong.
Nom nom nom.
Dribble drool.
Crinkle crinkle.
Smiling at his crinkly makeshift toy,
baby boy blue remains blissfully unaware.
bing
bong
Whirr click.
Flustered commuters issue through gaping doors.
Weary woman heaves into the
waiting train.
- NOW -
She knocks the bottle
from his happy hands and
kicks it
bing
bong
out the closing doors.
His bottom lip quivers
a moment.
Stunned, he works to process this sudden change in fortune.
The quiver turns into
a steady piercing wail.
Please if you could
spare some change
or food or
water.
Please.
My baby.
=>
Baby sucks a pacifier :
reads a big board book.
Flip flip flip.
The book is upside down but baby suck.suck.sucking is nonetheless engrossed by
this book.of.nose.
Book is at its end.
Flip over and begin again.
A few rotations through
is all that he can do.
He reaches right toward
his mother's bag.
She coos and brushes hair aside
: bides time.
He squirms.reaches with more force.wriggles
- mad -
adds his voice.
She takes book from lap and zips.it.up in outside pocket.
With deliberation
she draws a set of colorful plastic keys from the depths.
Click cleck.
Click cleck.
She shakes them in his face.
His pout tightens then
releases forth a cry.
Okay okay. She'll try again. This time it is a lion.
A quiet
- rOAr -
fingers curl to slice the air
.a gentle grin.
He considers the king for
a sec - promising - before squirming away with a frown.
She reaches deep into the bag : fumbles with blind fingers. muscle memory : takes a peak for confirmation.produces
a painted wood block frog.
Ribbit.
Now she's done it.
The dam breaks and he starts to
simper : whimper : wail.
She relents at last.
Drawing from an inner pocket, she presents to him her iPhone. He squirms toward it anxious,
excited.
A finger pointed skyward
tells him to wait.
He squirms
and fidgets
and whines.
.patience is a virtue.
Finger extended
she taps Apps and Apps and Apps before settling on
the desired one.
Tap tap play.
She hands it over
to the baby in the stroller who suck.suck.suck holds it close to button nose.
=>
Studious mother/daughter duo sit side by side
in orange subway seats heads tucked down in concentration.
Mother - blue eyes flitting up to look for answers round the car.in the air - tap\tap\taps her chin then again tucks in
to scribble.scribble add
to the crossword.
Her body has softened
with age : her hips fill the scoop of the seat curving up to her slightly sagging breasts.
Mother's eyebrows lift and freeze.
A thought.
No no. Mouth scrunches off to one side.
Beside her swaying gently
bump.bump.bumping into
mother's fleshy arm is
the long lanky adolescent.
She stoops, curving in to
a good sized book.
Flips a page.
Flips back to confirm the beginning of a sentence.
Nods.
Reads on.
She rifles to the end then back to her place.
She leans forward,
chin resting on palm,
the image of a bookworm.
She flips through again and sighs and closes the book
on her lap.
She turns to her mother and
- as she asks -
she grows a grin.
Mother - begrudging and slow -takes the book from daughter's lap and puts it in her bag.
She digs in the depths for one moment.
Two.
Lines furrow her brow.curve
up at the tips of her lips.
Ah!
The brows pop up then relax.
Her hand found its object.
Hungrily, eyes alight with
a new kind of focus,
the daughter settles in.
=>
Little girl wholebody curves her body : shapes the spaces that her mother's body makes with the blue plastic seat.
She opens the newspaper
w i d e.
Print is peripheral as far as the eye can see.
.which isn't far.
Papered arms angle into mother's field of vision.
Behind the news,
mother's head snaps left.
The curtain closes :
folded.
=>
bing
bong
The stroller boards at Gates.
rolls round at pole to face
the northern doors.
The little boy wears
an oversized hat.brim low over his face.suck.suck.sucking
on a pacifier.
.too old for that.
Confirmed : he chatters to himself revealing small spaced.out teeth.forward
facing smile.
In his hand he holds
a shattered phone.face.
his universe is compromised.
He navigates
the library of images.
scrolls deftly with
thin.fingers.
.tap.tap.
With purpose he selects
a random sidewalk.shot.
.tap.tap.
zoOms into upper corner.
.tap.drags the image round.
considers gum stains.
.tap.tap.
zoOms out again.
.scroll.
.scroll.
.scroll.
The library zips by.
At last.he taps.
J platform in the dark.
again.
.tap.tap.
he clicks and drags around with purpose.searching.
.tap.tap.
.not that.
He's off to find another.
.scroll.
.scroll.
.scroll.
He shakes his head.reverse.
back up the other way.
There.
He taps a red toy soldier.
.tap.tap.
zoOms into face.
big eyes fill up the screen.
His smile widens.
He chatters softly.
holds big.blue.eyes on his lap.
He cocks his head.considers.
taps out of that.
selects another.same soldier looking left.
A moment or two.
.no.no.
this one won't do.
tap.swipe.he returns to first.
to stare him down.talks happily past binky.
He twists.puts phone beside.settles deeper in.
waits one moment
.two.
turns to bring him back to lap.
bing
bong
The stroller is pushed through the opening doors.his companion held tight in tapered fingers.
gaping blankly at the sky.
=>
.just give
them a chance.
.I would.
.if I could.
.but you can't.
.you have
the responsibility
not to make this mistake.
.how could I
make this mistake?
.do you always use
protection?
=>
Security in Blue
bike helmet
elbow pads
knee pads
First time two-wheeler pedals unsteadily along the greenway.
Her father contorts his torso. holds onto fringed handle bars. runs alongside --
Go straight
Go straight
Pedal faster
faster
Her confident grip falters
.jerks.
center of balance wobbles.
Father's hold remains.rights her once
twice.
Used a wire hanger
- s t r e t c h e d -
hooked beneath my seat.
ran after.behind.
always there to catch me.
Remember
the first time
you ever rode
a two wheeler?
A voice jerks her
out of that memory.
The man beside her on grass -red.faced - disheveled -
who had been dozing beneath a tree against
a stuffed plastic.bag pillow, his socks tucked
into battered shoes
- smiles wide -
revealing missing teeth.
I was thinking
about when
my daughter
learned.
She nods.smiles.
.equal and opposite.
Crazy.
To be a part
of that.
(nods again.lost in thought)
.rites of passage
in a public sphere.
biking as father's
shining moment.
where is the mother?
She stands near a lamp post -
iPhone at the ready.
Yea Kayla!
You're doing it!
Mommy - look!
I see, Kayla!
Yay!
A cherub in a clever shirt rounds her legs and makes off toward the grass.
(in short.clipped speech)
Kieran.
Come.
.here.
A broad.faced woman,
dressed in purple tshirt
and black lounge pants,
stands in the midst
of the familial chaos,
hands gripping the stroller
tight.
She watches him circle a tree,
holding her stern gaze.
Mother turns around to see
the youngest of her brood making his second trip 'round
a farther scrawny tree.
(springing into playful action)
Come on, Kieran.
Run to this tree
and then we'll go
back to the stroller.
=>
.shUffle. CrUNch.
.shUffle. CrUNch.
Lavender skorted lanky legs bend at knobby knees to
shuffle.shuffle
along the gravel path.
The little girl forges ahead, chin tucked into chest,
intent on the dirt
kicked up by her feet.
Lagging behind :
her mother, a stern figure in grays and blacks, walks ahead while looking back :
the youngest of her brood,
a scrappy boy in bold blues.
muted reds, drags his rubber sandalled feet along.
He stops in his tracks
(looking down)
complains of a pebble.trouble.
There's nothing
in your shoe.
Come on Atticus.
We're going to
lose your sister.
The sister in question stops
j u s t out of range to scuff her toe on the leg of a bench.
(from the boy)
there's a whine.
He twists his body - chin to shoulder - eyes off to the
right
as he releases another
pitiful plea for help.
Fine.
Come here :
angling herself toward a bench. Not the
brightest
are you :
as she stop.bend.slumps
onto wooden bench.gestures beside her - once he comes within arm's reach - she reels him in and plops him down already fiddling
with the velcro.
See?
There's nothing
there.
Just your
disgusting
toenails
you won't
let me cut.
Shoe refastened with some
force.
Now stop being
so annoying
and keep up
with your sister.
Mother - fuming - huffs away.
Again the boy lags behind. Further.
Further.
Mother pivots.
marches back to where he loiters.one.armed hooks him round his middle.
Squirming limbs sprout from
her rib as she
.shUffle. CrUNches
to her dawdling daughter.
=>
Squirming.screaming child wiggles wildly between woman's legs.
(short.clipped speech)
Ari.
Hold.
.still.
She grips his upper arm tight in one hand.brandishes nail clipper in the other.
Just
let me cut
your nails.
She squeezes him between her thighs.tries to stabilize.
The clippers approach with intent --
his shriek intensifies.
.clip.
(bloodcurdling)
NO, NANNY! NO!
as though she has done
some heinous wrong.
.clip.
determined.she moves along from thumb to pointer.
The force of his fight is renewed as
.clip.
she rounds to middle then to
.clip.
ring.
She adjusts one little inch
.opportunity.
at last he wrenches free.
leaving long only pinky.
=>
Chubby baby fingers.barely bending at the joints pinch
a single greasy fry.
.fine motor skill.
Fry is raised to pouty.pudgy lips.insert and swallow.
Fingers return to small red box
.fight past mother's fatter.
fingers to grab one.two more fries.
The girl sits.buckled into stroller.takes up entire space.
chews slowly.staring blankly round the car.
bing
bong
There's a hefty.hustle from the mom.gripping subway pole.
asserting stroller hold.
a massive weight is lifted.
Exhale of effort as she pushes stroller out the door.waddles toward the turnstiles.
.a swap.
Another mother enters.beauty.
body remembering borne baby.
.Venus of Willendorf.
She sits in exact seat other mother left empty.swings stroller round to face her.
stationed between her legs.
Distracted.for the moment. mother looks around
the carriage.leaving babe
to own devices.
He looks up at her with eyes
of pure love.SHE his first
and foremost holy god above.
He tests his universe by taste. her bag is close enough
to suck.
She turns to see him pacifying self on leather corner.feigns frustration then annoyance as she gently smooshes his face.
Ah!
He laughs.a pure and blessed sound.as she musses hair around.
.still.
.time spent
with MOTHER
may be the root
of MAN's decay.
=>
IMAGE
Little girl eyes the ad
above her head.
What's wrong
with her
teeth?
Mother looks up from phone. distracted.absentmindedly responds --
They're dead.
-- returns to her screen.
Girl cocks her head.considers.
What's dead,
Mommy?
Mother freezes.balks.eyes bulging - wide -
.no answer.
Mah-mmee.
Girl tugs on mother's sleeve.
What is
dead?
=>
168
Street
JULY 23
1:14 P.M.
- WRONG -
_______________________________
Something is Wrong.
Express train's stopped short : only two of its cars rest beside the platform.
A plainclothes in grey
makes his broadchested way through the stopped cars.
His badge hangs round his neck, swinging solemnly :
tolling pec to pec.
A small crowd huddles in
the center of the platform :
uncertain.
Eyes bUlge and flit : searching.
.suspended.
People lean out gaping doors
on the local track :
walk downtown
looking
back.
Wary.
Worry.
- FEAR -
Answers.
Urgent.
A man leans in.leans
down toward
woman in fluorescent vest.
She looks off to the side.
pulls mouth to a slanted frown.
Flat hand swipes air below
chin.
She drops the hand :
shakes the head.
.slow exhale.
.no.
Turn.
Confirmed :
[framed]
by the doors of
the local train-
.pinched puffy pink.
The young mother grips the side of the stroller :
knuckles white. She twists - angled anxiously toward that place
where that
express car meets
that track.
A garbled announcement
tries to clarify.pacify.
tells passengers to board
the waiting local C.
Shudder.
Shake.
Return.
Three chattering girls pile in as
bing
bong
the doors close to the scene.
Puffy pink nose betrayed by a sniffle. A shake of the head as she leans in
.chokes out a smile.
A quiet tortured
Because
baby.girl.
Shudder.
Choke.
Sob.
Mother turns away.
The girls who stand beside
at express doors take stock
of the unsettled air.
A quick query elicits
the stunned response from
the man across the way -
He just.
jumped.
They turn back to the mother/daughter.try to help.distract.
Hi!
That's a very
.pretty dress.
What's your name?
The daughter returns their gaze
.steadily.ignores their words.
The mother stretches a wan smile across pink.puffy face.
nods.adjusts.tightens her grip on handles of the stroller.
.wanhope.
Mother sniffles.still won't look daughter in the eye.
(adjusting in her stroller)
Mommy?
(pulling blanket over head)
Mommy look!
I'm a scary pony.
Isn't that funny?
Mother concedes.
a small smile spreads. Daughter works
to draw her out.
Mommy, look.
I'm so scary.
(primping.preening)
I'm so cute.
(shouting now)
I'm so beautiful!
Mother's face gets pinched and stern.knuckles gripping stroller turn white.
Behave.
We're in a
public space.
=>
=>
.if money was
no object.
.of course.
there would be no issue
.I knOw how to be
a good mother.
.I will make
an incredible
mother.
.where there's a will
there's a way.
.I will find a way
to make this work.
=>
Simple songs don't.make sense but otherwise they're good.
Lovely little baby
what is with your mood?/
Baby. Listen.
You are just hungry.
Relax while I /
Oh I'll quickly
prepare your food dear.
And I promise it's delicious.
But as long as you're crying
so :
Food - at last - gets past
pinching.pouting.wAiling lips. Taste hits Tongue.
RightrightRIGHT.
It's all coming back.
.to me now.
Eyes widen and
hands squirm happier.
.the way to
MAN's heart
is through
his stomach.
=>
BAKING teaches cooperation, simple math,
careful attention to puffs of flour and cracking of eggs.
It's hard work.
Delicious batters need
some good old fashioned
elbow grease.
Hips.arms jiggle into action as you whip/whip/whip try to see some peaks in those
pesky egg whites.
Let the whipper snappers
take the wheel.
Patience.
.is a Virtue.
You've measured.toiled
set cookies on foil.
Into the oven they go.
Now.
You.
Must.
Wait.
Hide and seek.
Make believe.
Cookies?
No. Wait.
Out?
Yes.
Wait?!
Blow gently.
Hand fan.
Poke.
Ouch!
Yowza!
Too HOT!
Pull a funny face.
Jump back all surprised.
.and . so . you . wait.
But pull up a chair
pour each a glass.
In the center set the cookies.
Mustaches.
Sputter spat.
Eyelashes get wet.
- then -
cautious dip.dip/tap on the rim
- careful now - smiles.giggles
.anticipation builds.
Blow once more for a laugh.
- NOW -
Little bAby mOUths missing tEEth in odd plAces clOse on the ooze of melted chips and the crunch of just burnt edge and the warm sOft spaces in
between.
The reward is delicious homemade cookies.that dreaded rewarding with food.
But they learned that all good things must be earned.
And.
.you get to eat cookies too.
=>
My dahlin'
you can't
possibly
be hungry.
We are
literally
throwing out
the trash.
Now.
What did we
just eat?
Let's think.
We had delectably delicious pan
.perfect sweet red sauce.oozing dripping melting stretching -
.pizza.
We had pizza.
But the point!
is!
baby girl!
Guess what
we're going
to do now?
It's hot!
Am I right
or not?
H.O.T.
Hot.
- What if -
we went home,
dressed as
the swashbuckling
free styling
pirate divers
that we are
and went deep sea
diving in the tub?
Hats you say?!
Let me tell you
something 'bout hats!
With just a quick Youtube refresher course
there'll be so many
newspaper hats
flying off the presses
we'll be able to hat
the whole crew!
.and kitty too.
What creatures
do you think we'll see?
Work hard to sustain the glee.
Run home.Run home.
Run home.Run home.
Follow a trail of clothes from front to bedroom door.
Socks on hands.
Pants on head.
Killer squid!
Run and hide.
Grab the small one upside down.
The squid will give chase
.rOUnd
and.
.rOUnd.
Chuck the small one onto couch.
.sAve yersElf!
Wrastle squid in big bear hug.
Dump.
Dog pile of cushions.
blankets.tiny feet.
soft.small hands
.laughing voices.
Chubby faces snuggle into neck.
Well what now?
They're awll
riled up.
Hold them close close close.
Sing a song of sixpence
a pocket full of rye
four and twenty blackbirds baked in a pie.
Tickle big round
bellies.buttons
peering out
from shirts.
Lightly tap tip
to tip
to tip
to
crap.
The small one tipped a bit too far and tUmbleD
into ocean blue.
Released,
the KrAken starts to wAil.
Hold the grin.reel her in.
Cover all over with kisses.
=>
5
.
4
.
3
.
2
.
1
.
Blastoff!
( )( )( )( )
( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
Okay, Captain.
Where are we headed?
We're going to
Planet Tyron!
(on the tire swing)
Planet -- Tyra?
Alright.
Let's set a course.
How do we get there,
Captain?
Past those stars!
spiN
spiN
d
i p.
.s ng.
w i
What are we
passing now?
Jupiter!
spiN
Saturn!
spiN
Uranus!
(radio static)
Captain!
We're heading into
an asteroid belt.
Fasten your seatbelt!
(adjust and click)
It's gonna be
a bUMpy ride!
spiN
spiN
d
i p.
.s ng.
w i
Oh no!
(pointing frantically)
Look out!
What?!
Where?!
Huge asteroid!
Right behind you!
(evasive maneuvers)
- Phew -
Good eye!
That was
a close one!
Where to now?
Planet Tyron!
It's right there!
I can see it!
Planet Treebeard,
you say?
It's on my radar,
Captain!
Stand by for our
descent.
sw g
i n
s g
w i n
STOP
Now what,
O Captain
My Captain?
(just a boy for now)
SPIN me!
Are you sure
that's what
you want?
(elaborate sigh)
Well then.
Try not --
(slowly turn one way)
to get --
(slowly turn the other)
too --
DIZZY!
(with the release)
S
p
N!
i
.tick.
.tick.
.tick.
.tick.
(as the swing slows to settle)
Save me, Smee!
What?
Smee!
Save me, Smee!
(the turn)
Save me, Mommy!
(eyes turn to judge)
(aheming)
Well don't say
that.
People will think
I'm hurting you.
But he is gone.slips through the slowing donut.hole.rushes off to find the SHE that's always on his mind.
=>
MaMa!
mAmA!
Just me
tonight.
Remember?
You'll see her
in the morning.
(recalling.
calming)
Okay
it's time to change
your diaper.nOw.
the changing table's
broken.so.
(adjusting.
pulls him 'round.
plunks him
on the ground)
Let's see what
we're working with.
(unzips jammies slowly.
unfastens.slow.reveal)
Just pee.
He smiles a devilish grin.
Out of sight-she grabs a wipe.
return.
.not where she left him.
Peripheral catches his flight. out the open bedroom door.
.diaperless.
legs of his jammies flowing
free behind him.
.coattails.
=>
Look!
Please, babygirl.
Don't do that.
Little girl walks up Heights hill.hiking skirt above her button.exposing.pantyless.
Trudging up.along.beside,
poor pleading pregnant mother.
I'm naked!
.she raises her cry.
(wincing)
Yes. I see.
A few half.nude steps more
.enough.
She stoops to lift her babe who rides high beside.above.
smooshed up against her soon.to.BE.
.baby.
=>
Bowl.cut babe with red tshirt clutching tractor tight
cocks head right and points :
Read that,
Mommy.
(gentle chiding)
Please.
(considers.
agrees)
Please.
The grandpa held
the jar of honey
so that all the family
could see,
then dipped a ladle into it
and drizzled honey on the cover
of a small book.
The little girl
had just turned five.
"Stand up, little one,"
he cooed.
"I did this for your mother,
your uncles,
your older brother,
and now you!"
Then he handed the book to her.
"Taste!"
She dipped her finger
into the honey
and put it
into her mouth.
"What is that taste?"
the grandma asked.
The little girl answered,
"Sweet!"
Then all of the family said in a single voice,
"Yes, and so is knowledge,
but knowledge is like the bee that made that sweet honey,
you have to chase it through the pages of a book!"
The little girl knew that
the promise to read was at last hers.
bing
bong
Mother looks up.
Okay.
At the next stop
do you want to stay
on this train?
Or transfer to
the express?
Democracy.
.he gets a valued.vote.
Transfer.
Okay.
Let's get
ready then.
The book is folded.stowed in mother's bag.boy's only job : to hold his tractor close.
bing
bong
Alright!
Let's go.
The pair heads across to
the waiting express A.
(the turn)
He starts to wail.throws himself down.twists body.
kicks his feet.full on.
.flailing meltdown.
.what the hell
went wrong?
=>
.my poor baby.
.is it really
yours?
.I would name her
- Leah -
.nice and Jewish
for my parents.
.after his sister.
.what a beautiful baby
she would be.
.is this fair
to him?
.is this fair
to her?
.is this fair.
to me?
=>
=>
.be reasonable.
.harden your resolve.
.you can't afford
yourself.
.this would end
YOUR story.
.so you end
hers?
.still.
I know what
.must be done.
=>
=>
8:46
She crosses over to the sink. slowly.slowly lifts the test.
looks through the window --
|
.the long exhale.