Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: TRIP (08/25/22)
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TITLE: Robert's Reflection | Previous Challenge Entry
By Marilyn Borga
08/30/22 -
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Robert shook his head in protest. “Na-na-naaa!”
But she leaned her face close to his and shot him a giant grin. “Come on now,” she teased. “You know you kinda like me, so be a nice fella.”
He grimaced and waved a hand wildly, but relented with a loud “K-k-kay-ee!”
The sun shone brightly in a deep blue sky. Last evening’s rain had cleansed the air and ushered in a reprieve from the recent heat and humidity. Sharla relished the refreshing breeze as she pushed the chair down the walkway. She pointed out the colorful flowers in the well-maintained beds. As usual, the man slumped morosely in his chair and stared straight ahead.
Dear Lord, please turn this little excursion into a blessing for Robert! Bring a little joy into his life today.
When the sidewalk ended, Sharla cut across a vacant parking lot, aiming for another path through the gardens. She maneuvered the wheelchair around a low spot where a puddle had formed. Robert suddenly sat upright. A stream of happy gibberish proceeded from his mouth as he pointed a gnarled finger at the water. Sharla had seldom seen him this animated. She set the brake on the chair and waited while he gazed at his reflection.
~~~
“Bobby, could you do an important job for me?”
Bobby was sitting on the green linoleum with a pile of tinker toys surrounding him. He looked with interest at his mama, who stood browning chicken for their dinner in a big iron skillet.
“Yes, Mama! I can help.”
“That’s my good boy,” she said. “Sissy is still napping, so I’d like you to go to the store for me.”
She pulled a clean cotton handkerchief from her apron pocket and fished a dime from the mason jar on the shelf. Placing the coin in the center of the hanky, she rolled it lengthwise and knotted it. Then she secured it to Bobby’s wrist with another knot. “I’ll watch to make sure you get there all right. Tell Mr. Bailey that Mama needs a loaf of bread.”
Bobby walked to the corner store with his mama several times each week; he was sure he could make her proud!
She watched him skip down the street and enter the store. The chicken began to smoke and scorch, and she ran to turn down the flame. Then Sissy woke with a lusty cry. A foul odor emanated from the crib. The child would need a diaper change and probably a bath, too. Once she had the little girl washed and dressed, she hoisted her onto her hip. She’d lost track of time! She peered out the screen door, sighing with relief as Bobby entered the yard. In the doorway, he lifted the plastic bag with the red, yellow, and blue balloons painted on the side.
Taking the bag in hand, she was surprised to note that it was only half full. What in the world? They were already rationing sugar and butter for the war effort— had they started rationing bread also? Or maybe the grocer had run out of bread and gave her what he had from his kitchen. “What happened, Bobby? Can you tell Mama?”
Bobby pulled at her skirt. Shifting the baby to her other hip, she let Bobby lead her back to the street. Halfway down was the answer to the mystery! A half dozen soggy white squares floated in a shallow mud puddle. A stiff green leaf proudly waved in the center of each makeshift sailing vessel. She chewed on her lip to stifle a giggle.
“I'm sowwy, Mama.”
She stooped to pull him into an embrace with her free arm. “It’s okay, Sweetie. We still have plenty of bread left for our supper,” she whispered. Bobby hugged his mama tightly, basking in the warmth of her love and forgiveness.
~~~
Sharla’s hands squeezed gently on Robert’s shoulders. “We need to go in now, Robert,” she apologized. “The others are waiting to go on their outings.”
One side of his mouth turned upward, and he shouted, “Maa-aa!”
Sharla smiled. “Why, I think this little trip may have done you a world of good. Don’t you agree, Robert?”
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Relief.
Excellent plotting. Kudos.