July, 2011

If You Can Ask the Question, You Deserve An Answer. Are You Sure You Want To Hear It?

"Mommy, do you want some tea?"

"Uh-huh," I said absently. I was, I admit, paying more attention to the contract I was reading for the fourth time. Ray had taught me don't sign anything without reading it through at least twice. Sleep on it. Read it through one or two days later. If it still sounds good—ask your lawyer what you're missing.

So when the tiny china cup and saucer appeared at my elbow, it took me a second to regroup. "Oh, thank you, sweetie." I actually expected tea, since Suzy was in the kitchen getting Mother's tea ready. Alas, it was just water. Nice and cool, though. "Thank you. That was lovely."

"You're wewcome. Do you want some more?" she asked hopefully.

"Sure."

The front door opened and she streaked from the room, screeching, "Daddy!" in a pitch that threatened to shatter glass. Moments later, Ducky—home early because of a dentist appointment—was being led/dragged into the room by a chattering Lexi. She was doing a recap of all that had happened at school that day (I had heard it all on the way home from preschool). He listened attentively, supplied appropriate comments of surprise, astonishment, approval and amusement. When she wound up with, "I'm making Mommy tea do you want some, too?" he agreed that that would be delightful. "Would you like me to help?"

She looked almost horrified at the idea. "No! I can do it for you!"

"Oh—well, thank you very much," he said gravely, sitting on the couch.

"How dare you stand in the way of her desire to serve," I teased when she was out of earshot.

"My error." He was very appreciative when she returned with the teacup and saucer with tiny, pink dancing mice on them (a Christmas gift from Uncle Jethro the last year). She grabbed my set and scurried from the room. "Will she truly become a sullen, monstrous brat when she's a teenager?" he asked sadly.

"Probably not that bad," I reassured him. "Thank you, Lexi." I sipped my 'tea.' "This is excellent tea."

"More? More?"

She ran back and forth out of the room, first one then the other. She was dashing back for my eighth or ninth cup when Ducky stopped, cup halfway to his lips. "What's wrong?"

He looked down at the tiny cup, brow furrowed. "How tall is Lexi?"

I laughed. He knows darn well how tall she is. "Yea tall," I gestured.

"Can she… reach… the sink tap?"

No, she couldn't. Realizing the only water source she could reach… As one we ran to the bathroom off of Mother's room; empty. We ran down the hall toward the other bathroom but stopped when we heard voices in the kitchen.

"Another pitcher of water?" A laugh from Suzy. "You're going to float out to sea!"

"It's not water! It's tea!" Lexi protested. "Mommy and Daddy are very thirsty."

Not to mention very relieved…