Warning: The cook never does clean up in my world.
SHORT AND SWEET
by Phair
Beth escorted Lindsey to the living room couch after dinner. Strict orders were given to lay down and rest. Then Beth hurried back into the kitchen to organize the clean up with her two reluctant and bickering helpers.
“Why do I have to rinse and he gets to stack?” whined Stu.
Mark growled, “Because you always drop the wet plates. China doesn’t grow on trees, you know!”
“I clear, you rinse, he stacks and then you two go play chess. Those are the rules,” Beth stated without emotion, “just like last week and the week before that.”
Lindsey struggled to suppress her laughter. She grabbed one of the throw pillows and smothered the chuckle into it. After several deep breaths, she managed to regain her composure but continued to cuddle the pillow close to her heart.
The voices in the other room quieted. Soft music filled the halls of the house with only the occasional clatter of plates breaking the mood. Even the steady stream of running water enhanced the gentle rhythm. Peace.
Lindsey felt her body relax. Every muscle unwound. Years of coiled reflexes ready to flinch in an eye blink, were loosened. Like a soldier trudging off a battlefield, Lindsey’s weary body knew her war was over. She was finally home.
Her eyes started to drift closed. Lindsey didn’t try to stop them. For the first time in her memory, Lindsey realized she was just going to fall asleep. She didn’t need to barricade herself behind a door, hidden under sheets and blankets, half sleeping and listening for trouble.
A soft snore startled her a bit. Until she realized it was her own. Blinking open her eyes, she saw Beth sitting across from her sipping tea. Lindsey gave a little stretch and a big grin.
“Fell asleep.”
“Hope I didn’t wake you,” Beth said.
“No, my snoring did that,” Lindsey replied with a laugh. “What’re Stu and Uncle Father up to?”
“Chess. We’ve got about twenty minutes of civility before they’re at each others throats again.”
Lindsey nodded her head. “Beth, can I tell you something?”
“Anything,” Beth answered before taking another sip of tea.
“My Mom and her step-son beat me up in the alley.”
