GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS

Beep. Beep. Beep. Sharon's eyes fluttered as her alarm went off at 6:30 that Thursday morning. She took a little time to wake herself up enough to get her day going. She rubbed her eyes and yawned before sitting up and stretching a bit. Randy was still breathing deeply away to the right of her. Then again being a busy mother and woman in general it took her longer to get herself ready. She wrapped her usual pink robe around her before going downstairs and putting some coffee on. It was a cool morning; it looked as if fresh snow had fallen during the middle of the night. It wasn't a heavy fall but it looked to be at least several inches deep. That was fine; it gave her an excuse to wear the new boots she got for Christmas. As she stood around waiting for the coffee to brew she looked through the entertainment portion of the morning paper, just to do something. At that moment she heard pining at the sliding door to the yard and saw Sparky standing there waiting to be let out.

"Okay, but don't take too long out there," Sharon spoke as the mutt hurried out. The coffee was almost finished when Sharon began thinking of the past breakfasts of the week so far. She accounted for one serving of French toast way back on Sunday, two bowls of cereal, and a serving of frozen blueberry waffles. She sighed as she fished out the skillet; time for her son's second French toast breakfast of the week. If he didn't eat two plates of them each week, well, it was best she kept up-to-speed when it came to such matters.

Randy came down the stairs minutes before it was seven and served himself coffee before popping in some frozen pigs in a blanket things into the microwave and opening up the newspaper. Minutes after seven the sound of two sets of feet came down the stairs and fourteen-year-old Shelley and ten-year-old Stanley took up a spot at the round breakfast table.

"Are you making French toast?" were the first words spoken out of Stan's mouth that morning as he scratched his dog behind the ears.

"Yes. Is there any special way you want it?"

Stan took a moment to think.

Sharon sighed; she didn't have time for the wishy-washy way a child made decisions. "You can either have chocolate French toast with regular milk or regular French toast with chocolate milk. I'm not making a full-on sugary chocolate breakfast today Stan."

"I want… regular toast with chocolate milk."

Sharon looked on at her family; Randy thankfully taking care of his own breakfast needs, reading the paper, Shelley eating a bowl of microwavable oatmeal and going over her homework, and Stan waiting for his food, reading a comic book. As soon as the mother set the hot plate of food down she quickly got out the milk and Nesquik and made a glass for her son. He began digging in hungrily (after dousing a good amount of syrup onto it).

"Hey Mom, can I have a banana?" Stan asked.

"Can I not eat breakfast for a little while?"

"Fine," he rolled his eyes.

Minutes into the meal Sharon began asking around about lunches that day. "Shelley, I left five bucks on the table over here for your lunch today."

"Thanks Mom."

"And Stanley, did you make your lunch ahead of time last night?"

"No."

"Why? You told me you wanted to make lunch last night!"

Stan shrugged into his breakfast. "Got too caught up playing Skyrim last night. Can you do it for me?"

Sharon wanted to pull out her hair. "No I will not. I'll just give you lunch money for school."

"But I don't want what they're serving today. It's hotdogs."

"You love hotdogs."

"Yeah but last time it made me sick for the rest of the day. It made a lot of kids sick. They say they fixed the problem but I'm never eating the hotdogs at school again," Stan said looking defiant.

"Stanley I don't have time to fix you lunch, I have to get ready myself!" Sharon spoke.

"Please Mom?"

Sharon still did have to make a bagged lunch for herself for work today; she could probably do two lunches in record time if she tried. A half hour later she was dressed but still needed to do make-up. Her son was watching an early-morning showing of Spongebob while she fixed his lunch.

"Do you want PB and J or turkey and cheese?" she called.

"Turkey!"

She made up two, one for him and one for her. She was proud at how fast she had did it. Stan had come into the kitchen looking at his lunch bag.

"I don't want a banana for snack!"

"You just told me you wanted one for breakfast!"

"Well ya, on my French toast. I don't want one for lunch."

"Oh for goodness sake…"

"We don't have any more goldfish left?" Stan looked into the pantry.

"No."

Stan came out of the pantry with a rainbow-colored candy cane in hand.

"Stanley Quintin you are not having a candy cane for lunch!" Sharon spoke.

"But it's from Christmas and needs to be eaten before it goes bad."

Sharon dabbed at her forehead. "If you want to make your own lunch do it now because I am really running behind."

"No, you do it best."

A few minutes later Sharon handed over his Dark Knight Lunch bag. "Turkey and cheese, peach cup, string cheese, Nutter Butter cookies, and a bottle of Sunny D. Happy?"

"Yeah, thanks Mom!" he opened his lunch only to call back to her as she went upstairs. "Hey Mom! You didn't add in an 'I love you' note!"

"You know I love you Stanley, now get your shoes on and catch the bus! And don't forget you're going over to the Heartons' after school until I get off!" Sharon hurried up the stairs. 8 AM was always a mad dash in the house. Everyone had to get their final items together in order to make it to school and work on time. Randy hopped in his car to make it to the office by 8:45, Shelley started school at 8:20 while Stan started at 8:30, and Sharon couldn't be later than 8:30 at Tom's Rhinoplasty for she helped open the office by nine. Sharon did a sweep of the house before she left to make sure everything was safe and in order. She sighed when she spotted something on her son's bed; Stan had forgotten his social studies book; she could only hope she wouldn't be getting a phone call from him at school telling her to bring it. She ran out the door and got to work which thankfully was only five minutes away.

"Made it just in time," fellow co-worker and friend Kathryn smiled upon Sharon's arrival.

"Never have kids," Sharon exasperated as she set her things down.

Kathryn laughed. "What happened now?"

"So my son tells me he'll make his own lunch last night only to leave me to do it for him this morning! He was 'too busy' with a video game. And the lunch I was preparing wasn't good enough for him. But I got it right in the end… seriously, kids…"

Kathryn was still smiling.

"From the moment you bring your baby home from the hospital he will expect you to do everything for him."

"I'll keep that in mind but I still want children when I find Mr. Right."

The two chatted as they prepared for the morning. Just as nine hit a stocky man with a strong chin and rich black hair came into view.

"Sharon! Thought I heard your voice," Dr. Tom said.

"Sorry I'm running a little late."

He waved this off. "You're a good employee, don't worry about it. You girls ready to set up shop as they say? I'm expecting Mrs. Cullers to pop in anytime; her nose hasn't been healing like she was promised so I have to look into that first thing."

Sharon made sure her little station was orderly before she felt ready. And the day began. Mrs. Culler did indeed show up first with a very swollen nose. Kathryn took her paperwork and she was called in by Dr. Tom. It was actually a nice slow morning and for the first time since she woke up Sharon felt relaxed. She took in phone calls and by twelve, business was getting heavier. Thankfully Tammy Bretts had come in for her shift and took up the third chair in the receptionist area allowing Sharon to get some lunch. She felt guilty having Kathryn stay behind and work but she didn't seem to mind, she would get her lunch break a half hour after.

"I have everything under control. You have nothing to stress over," Tammy was saying. "In fact, I'm sure I can take care of most of that paperwork you have piled on your desk!"

"I'd rather you not touch my work, I can do it myself Tammy. Thanks." Sharon never really liked the forty-something dark-haired woman; she liked to pretend she could do everything her own and take on other people's work. But it didn't matter; she didn't need to start up anything. Stark's Pond was only five minutes back around her house so she decided that would be a nice place for lunch today. Before she ate however she called Shelley on her cell as she did every day, just to see how her day was so far. She was happy she had her lunch the same time as her daughter.

"Hi sweetie, how has your day been so far?" Sharon asked.

There was a groan at the other end. "Mom, how many times do I have to tell you don't call me at school?"

"I just want to see how your day has been."

Another moan. "I'll tell you at dinner when we usually talk about our days. Nothing's happened."

Normal response from a teenager so Sharon brushed this off. "How was first period? You told me how difficult that biology test would be. Was it?"

"I'll tell you later. I want to eat lunch and talk with the few friends I do have."

Sharon frowned. "Well, okay. I'm sorry Shelley. I'll see you tonight then."

A second later she hung up. Sharon sighed as she began unzipping her lunch bag; all she wanted was to keep in touch with her daughter during the day. What was so bad about that? She knew it was normal for a fourteen-year-old to act this way but she hoped in a few years' time when her son started Jr. High he would be a bit happier to talk to her during lunch. She would be giving him his own cell when he began seventh grade, and he was the sweeter of the two, surely he'd respond better to phone-calls from Mom. Then again Stanley already had a lot of friends and would no doubt meet more when he turned thirteen as he explored his many interests. He'd probably be just as embarrassed when his mom called him at school. Sharon shook her head as she began her sandwich; kids would be difficult no matter what age they were.

That half hour Sharon enjoyed seeing the ducks swim in the large pond and two young mothers with their toddlers at the picnic table next to her. She smiled sadly as she heard the little boy call 'Mommy' several times as they ate lunch and the little girl of the other mother play with a large stuffed pony. They reminded her a lot of her own kids; Shelley always took along a pony or horse when she was little and Stan never seemed to tire of pulling on her leg and saying 'Mommy' again and again until she saw what it was he wanted. Sharon got up to throw the crusts of her bread to the ducks in the pond and was met with the little boy.

"The duckies like when you throw bread to them," Sharon told the darling little boy. He giggled.

"I want bread"- he raised his hand up.

Sharon looked over to where the boy's mother was and she smiled as she walked over, indicating it was okay to talk to her boy. Sharon knew she only had five minutes left before she'd be risking a talk-to from Dr. Tom but these little kids were too cute and at that moment was reliving what it felt like to be around little kids again.

"You seem to really enjoy kids. Do you have any yourself?" asked the boy's mother as she picked up her three-year-old.

"A fourteen-year-old girl and ten-year-old boy. I used to come here and feed the ducks with my son when he was this small all the time. I just find myself falling into those days where I wish they were still little like Jack and Bree here."

"It is fun but I actually can't wait until my daughter reaches those ages, then she'll be able to do things for herself," spoke the little girl's mother.

Sharon had to smile. "Hate to break it to you but they never grow out of it. You'll find yourself doing everything they say well into those tween years."

She really had to get going now. Waving the four of them goodbye, Sharon drove back to Tom's Rhinoplasty. She immediately apologized to Kathryn when she walked in for she had come in seven minutes later, forcing her to wait until Sharon had come back so she could start her lunch break.

"I saw the two cutest little kids at Stark's Pond. I was talking with their mothers. They were precious," she whispered.

Thankfully Kathryn was so easy-going and said it was fine, she would have done the same thing and left with a smile. Sharon took over a load of paperwork for the best of three hours in her small office near the surgery rooms. Any reason to not be around Tammy, and thankfully April had come in and took over the reception area. Paper work was always tedious, she would put on her reading glasses and squint at Dr. Tom's writing trying to figure out what was written on these forms. Why did every doctor have horrible writing? Practically ever prescription ever filled out for her children had horrible slantly doctor writing on the prescription forms, she was surprised the pharmacists were able to decipher the writing any given time.

It was now four and she would be getting off in an hour. She made a quick call to the Heartons' home to make sure her kids were there. Her son always seemed to be over at a friend's house or anywhere else for that matter but this time she was pleased to hear he had listened for once and was at his baby-sitter's. Sharon still had a lot of paper work to sort through, label, and place in folders and the cabinets that held patient records. There was no way she'd be able to get through it all now. Sure she could have used Tammy's help now but she was too proud when it came to her job. Sharon was too committed and did not like it when another woman took over something she had been planning to do. She didn't want to do paperwork tomorrow but if she had to she would.

There was a knock on her door and Sharon looked up to see Dr. Tom standing there.

"I think you've worked hard enough today Sharon. Your shift has been over for five minutes now."

Sharon smiled and got up; glad her hand could finally be freed of the pen that was in it.

"I'll see you tomorrow doctor," she told the man after gathering her things.

Dr. Tom smiled and nodded. "See you. Just try and take a thirty minute lunch break tomorrow, not a forty minute one."

Sharon looked guilty but promised it wouldn't happen again. She hopped in her car and drove home, knowing she had to get dinner ready as soon as she set foot inside. She pulled up to her house before walking over to the house on the left to pick up her kids. Middle-aged Barbra Hearton talked of how there were no troubles and both kids arrived there as expected and Stan finished all his homework as well. The thirty-second walk back to the house Shelley complained about why she still had to go to the Heartons after school.

"It's only for a couple days a week. I know you're old enough but I just don't trust you watching your brother for three hours while your dad and I are still at work," Sharon explained.

"I'm old enough to stay home after school too!" Stan claimed.

Sharon sighed. "I know you are but I don't trust you sometimes Stan. I don't like it when you go to a friend's house without telling me or land yourself in Washington again. I want as much control over those elements as possible."

Stan rolled his eyes.

"You're still a child, you're still in elementary school, and therefore I don't feel safe having you stay home alone for more than an hour. You know this already, why are you making it a big deal?"

Her kids went up to their rooms to put their backpacks away before they both came running down and shouts were heard as they fought over the TV.

"You ALWAYS choose!"

"Because I get tired of watching the lame Animal Planet channel every night!"

"Well it's a lot better than anything on the Travel Channel! Why would I want to see some guy visit France and have all the fun?"

"You have your own TV stupid turd!"

"So do you bitch!"

A crack soon was heard as well as a cry from a child. Sharon sighed as she set her pan on the stove.

"Kids please…"

"Oww, it hurts…" Stan held his upper arm.

Sharon rubbed the area for a second. "You're fine honey. Shelley, apologize to your brother this minute."

"Only if I can choose what to watch on TV."

Sharon knew this was not an argument worth starting so instead she said, "Stanley, do you want to help Mommy in the kitchen?"

Stan looked up. "What's for dinner?"

"Pork chops."

"Okay," Stan shrugged.

Randy came home before six and the family sat down for dinner by 6:30. Shelley frowned as she picked at her mashed potatoes.

"These taste like crap."

"Shelley! Your brother made them so be kind," Sharon snapped.

"I know, that's why they taste so bad."

"Shut-up!" Stan glared.

"Randy tell your daughter to behave at the dinner table," Sharon said his way.

Randy poked at his potatoes too. "I dunno Sharon; she kind of has a point. They're pretty lumpy and I think he added in a bit too much salt."

Sharon went to taste her portion and made a slight face which of course did not go unnoticed by her son.

"Aww man they are shitty," Stan moaned.

"It's okay sweetheart, it was only your second time making them from scratch."

"And they suck! I just wasted four good potatoes and made crap with them."

"It's okay Stanley, we all make mistakes," Sharon tried.

"It's not okay Mom, god! I thought I was doing everything right but I messed it up. Now I know why they say you have to taste as you cook."

"Stanley"-

"Just drop it Mom, you won't make good potatoes out of these shitty ones if you keep talking," Stan mumbled.

Sensing where this dinner may be heading Sharon went to ask how everyone's day was. Shelley told of how hard her biology test was and how annoyed she was she had to buy her friend Samantha a soda at school since she didn't have another quarter. Randy spoke of some rock he was studying that flew over everyone's heads and Stan had his latest silly fight with Kyle because apparently he wasn't really excited about the new Dark Knight Rises movie coming out this year.

"He always does this to me. Purposely starting Batman vs. Spiderman wars! He knows how much I love Batman and how I'm seeing the movie opening day yet he has to bring gay Spiderman into the mix who is so overrated. I mean it's Batman! Why does everyone like Spider or Superman over him at school?" Stan looked around.

The night was filled with silly complaints of the day as was normal. Sharon brought up how she had seen two sweet toddlers at Stark's Pond but Randy looked shocked.

"You spent time playing with two strange kids instead of going back to work?"

"My goodness Randy you know Tom hardly cares. And I came back at a decent time, Kathryn wasn't upset at all."

Thankfully everyone settled down after dessert and the night was beginning to feel calm and nice for once. Shelley went up to her room to finish her homework while Stan tried sneaking in another slice of lemon cake.

"Out of the kitchen Stanley," Sharon, who was on the couch, said.

Stan walked to her. "How'd you know it was me?"

"I can recognize my kids' distinct noises through anything. Honestly, was one slice not enough?"

"I don't get how he's not chubby," Randy spoke as he flipped through the channels.

"Oh he may not be flabby physically but the evidence shows up in his teeth," Sharon said darkly. "No sweets after eight, you know this young man. Go upstairs and do something quiet before you get ready for bed." And Stan retreated, annoyed.

Randy chuckled. "I swear that kid has a bigger sweet tooth than you and I never thought that could be possible."

Sharon raised a brow. "I don't think you'd be laughing if I showed you his dental bills."

Randy smiled before kissing her. "You seem kind of busy-body today hon. Why don't you pick what to watch on TV? I'll go make you some tea."

Sharon smiled and relaxed into the couch; moments like these didn't happen often but she was glad they had come. And any night she was able to watch HGTV without getting annoyed grunts from her husband the better. It was after nine and Sharon went upstairs to tuck her son into bed and read to him. He may have turned ten a few months ago but he still loved their special bonding moments. Sharon fluffed his pillow and pulled his covers up. At that moment his brand-new kitten he had gotten for Christmas hopped up and he held her close. Sharon pulled out the book she had been reading to him- a Wild at Heart book and sat on his bed. It may have been made by American Girl but these books were his secret guilty pleasure. They were chapter books full of detail and kids around his age volunteering at a vet clinic and helping animals along the way. The one she was reading now, Homeless, was the first in the series and one of his favorites. It was about feral cats and trying to find the cat of the vet clinic's owner.

Sharon finished the chapter a half hour later and set the book aside. Stan had tears in his eyes.

"It's so sad how they wanted to put down Tiger. I'd do the same thing Sunita did and fight for him even if he was a feral. It wasn't his fault she was bit."

"So if you had the chance you would rather go through rabies shots than to let a feral cat, that probably will never live an easy life, die?" Sharon challenged.

Stan stroked his kitten Basha's head. "Yeah. It would be selfish not to do that. Yes I hate shots but to have an innocent cat die? That's horrible."

Sharon smiled down at her son; he was such a sweet boy with such a big heart. There was no doubt his main calling in life would be animal related. She just couldn't wait to find out what exactly he would be doing in that area. Stan gave a great yawn.

"Mom, sorry about rushing you this morning."

"What's that?"

"I think I rushed you today. I think I made you annoyed with me all day."

"Sweetie I wasn't annoyed." He raised a brow. "Okay, so I was just a little. Did you know you left your social studies book when you left? Sorry, it's okay hon, it comes from being a mother. I'm always going to feel rushed and will have a list of things to do. For the next ten years, I promise you."

He seemed to think this was good enough and shrugged. Sharon kissed his temple before exiting his room. It was now close to ten and she went to make sure her daughter was getting ready herself. Shelley was in bed when Sharon stepped in. She looked troubled.

"Something wrong hon?"

Shelley glared. "I don't want to say but I will. (Sigh) I kinda feel horrible about what I did to Stan earlier before dinner."

"Oh?" Sharon leaned on the doorframe, arms crossed.

"I left him a pretty nasty bruise. I didn't think I hit him that hard."

"So are you saying you apologize?"

"No. He deserved it. I'm just saying it looked painful."

Sharon smiled, she knew what she was really thinking. "Okay then. Goodnight Shelley. I love you."

By 10:30 Sharon had gone into her bedtime pattern and fell into her pillow smiling.

"Why are you so happy?" Randy asked.

"We have great kids Randy."

"Oh, oh, yeah. Sure we do."

So they loved to make the day difficult but Sharon could count on their natural sweetness to come out when the stars did. And that's what made getting out of bed and running around frantic each morning something to look forward to.

That was fun. I love writing motherly scenes. I have no idea if Stan would be into Skyrim, I just know it's a popular game now. I myself was a fan of the Wild at Heart books when I was around Stan's age, Homeless was my favorite. I see it as one of those secret things he enjoys, we all have them. Also, I have worked in another way Stan could have gotten his cat Basha. This time as a Christmas present in 2011. I just want Stan to have a cat by age 10. Anyway, more to come soon!

LOL: Rose, January 23, 2012