Getting Back to Normal
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
In which a manner of recovery continues for the family…
After another dream of the end of the world…
Everyone was gathered together over at the house that cool morning.
It was strange not hearing that familiar bark as they walked in the front door…
Rose was looking up apartments in the city.
Joe was leaving for class.
Linnea and Puck pulled Earnest T. out of his cage.
Mom and Dad would be telling tales for some time to come…
“We took pictures of anything that had your kids’ names on it,” Mom was saying. “There was one for Linnea, and two for Collette…”
“There was a place that had Carrie’s name on it,” said Dad, “but the camera didn’t work that day…”
“Oh, of course…” Carrie retorted. “You managed to get two for Collette. And it just happened to shut off when you saw my name…”
Dad got a laugh out of that ongoing joke…
As Joe walked out the door, Francis reminded him to call Green Lantern to help arrange his hire.
“You should put on your resume: Like Joe. But better.” Carrie teased. “The new and improved. Joe. 2.0…”
It was time for Puck’s four year-old check-up.
He walked in confidently in his Krispy Kreme sweatshirt, Ireland jacket, mohawk hat, wellies, and carrying his kaleidoscope. All the receptionists commented with smiles over his hat.
“So what’s your favorite color, Puck?” Dr. Box asked him.
“Red…” Puck replied, looking at his shirt, and then he saw Dr. Box’s shirt and quickly said, “blue.”
“Oh, a politician,” Dr. Box laughed.
He checked out great. 85% height, 88% weight.
Back at the house, Mom and Dad were discussing the strange fashions of Venice and London, including the pointed shoes that the men wore in Venice.
“Looked ridiculous,” Dad said.
“And all the girls in London wore black leggings down to the ankles with cut-off blue jean shorts over them,” Mom was saying.
Meanwhile, Puck was in the living room sing-saying to the baby bunny in his arms…
“Rock-a-bye, baby, in the tree tops. When the wind blows, the tree will knock.”
“And we’re going to have tea time at three o’clock every day from now on,” said Mom, displaying two boxes of Walkers Pure Butter Shortbread.
Then out came the Jelly Babies, the better version of the Jelly Bean. Softer and with a light sugar powder.
Costco.
Francis, Linnea, and Puck busied themselves with snacking on the samples, while Collette stocked up groceries for Puck’s birthday party Friday evening.
Francis came away with two chicken bakes for himself, a hot dog for Puck, and a mound of curly-spun frozen chocolate yogurt for Linnea.
Pick up for Creole to work with Francis.
At two o’clock, the three girls went outside wrapped in blankets with Earnest T., followed by Puck, who explained that…
“We’re sort of having girl time, but we’re not really having girl time.”
Meanwhile…
With Rose beginning her new position on Monday, more news was surfacing. She would be the single helpdesk employee at the community. She would possibly be given her own office. And she would receive three weeks of paid vacation within the first year.
And Puck tried out some fruity chapstick.
“Smell me on my lips!” he declared to his grandma happily.
Whole Foods.
Lucia arrived for a couple of hours of socialization with Carrie and to meet Earnest.
Francis used Puck’s magnifying glass to burn leaves in the yard.
Dad was off to rock-climbing training, as he would be teaching the Boy Scouts.
And while OLeif rehearsed at church for Easter Sunday, not to return home till nearly ten o’clock, Linnea returned with Collette and Puck to spend the night.