Puck Finds his Inner Art
Monday, June 4, 2012
Puck found the expired First Aid kit that morning, including a packet of sealed burn cream…
“I think it’s hot sauce,” he noted to himself. “Frosting…”
Puck got busy sketching bananas, giraffes, and “rocket ships” while he waited for his oatmeal to cool. By that time, ten fingers were dyed in teal magic marker.
The drone of tornado siren whirled in the sunny morning for the monthly test…
“You always say they’re testing it, Mama,” Puck said mournfully.
“Why? You want it to be real?” Collette asked.
“Yes. I want to have an exciting moment.”
Puck’s writing lesson was drawing up a birthday card for Anneliese’s birthday party, Thursday afternoon…
“What do you want to say to Anneliese in her birthday card?” Collette asked.
“Hmmm… ‘I love you, Anneliese. When will you be grown up?’”
“Why do you want it to say that?…”
Puck wrinkled his nose, expecting trouble…
“Because… I want to marry her…?”
Oi.
He quickly transpired to an hour of further teal sketches on his lined notepad, audibly spelling out every part of his drawn legend…
“I’m writing a story about a warrior a long time ago.”
He shifted to the “Infra Red” marker, and inadvertently outlined a perfect representation of the Loch Ness Monster, followed by “Sassy the Duck”, a giant turtle, and…
“This one’s a ram-o-saurus!”
Puck munched through a bowl of diced chicken and apple wedges during a cold 12:10 game on the small television reinstalled in the bedroom.
Meanwhile, Collette wrapped the stack of Anneliese’s gifts (including a bar of Dove soap donated by Mom and Carrie for microwave clouding) in brown paper and red curly ribbon, Puck’s red note self-folded and attached.
During readings that afternoon, a rumble in a violet eastern sky sent them outside to complete the pages, and for Puck to throw his Styrofoam plane with Collette up and down the driveway for a few rounds.
Collette drove off that evening – for the third time in three months – to church for the Vacation Bible School volunteer meeting at 6:30.
Upon return…
“Mama?”
“Hey, buddy.”
A figure in oversized blue t-shirt came running from his room for two huge bear hugs…
“You’ve got to pray with me, Mama!” he declared with happy eyes.
There was always time for that.
He fell asleep almost immediately after.