“It’s so dark,” Rose commented as we walked hand and hand out of the dance studio, heading out to do an errand while her sisters finished up their dance classes.
“That’s because we changed the clocks. Remember?” I asked her. The concept of Daylight Savings has left her puzzled. (Side story: Earlier this week she said, “So you just decided to change the time?”…like it was only me who had this crazy idea.)
“When we get to the car, I have to tell you something,” Rose announced, looking up at me with a wide grin.
“Ok,” I replied, my mind already whirling with the possibilities of the news she might have to share. The grin on her face made me feel like it was good news. But why in the car?
We made our way across the parking lot, soaking up the dark. “I can tell you here,” Rose said, just a few feet away from the car. I looked down at her with anticipation.
“Aidan threw up at lunch,” she beamed. “But don’t worry…I don’t sit anywhere near him!”
I opened my mouth to respond only to have Rose interrupt. “And Eli threw up in music. And Ezra threw up in his classroom.”
I wasn’t expecting all of that. We climbed into the car and I passed Rose the hand sanitizer.
Oh, winter. Please go easy on us.
Where There Is Joy 
I love how you structured this piece. Walking first in the dark to the car. Yet, only in the car did the news get revealed. I chucked as I contemplate the right times and place to talk about vomiting and other gross topics. Seems like the security of a car would be on my list. I love how you capture so much through dialogue!
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And here we go…….Wishing you a gentle (and throw up free) winter.
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You pulled me right in with that beginning dialogue and I couldn’t wait for the great reveal! You structured this piece so well. I love how Rose was clearly relishing sharing this news, how you were pondering positive possibilities… then the silent passing of the sanitizer, which speaks volumes!
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Oh Rose! Stay healthy! Love how you write this because I was stunned at her news! I was expecting her to tell you how much she loved the early dark or the moon in the sky…but no, I was as surprised as you! Again, here’s to healthy days and nights!
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Rose has her timing and setting all right for that ominous news. Ugh!
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Awwww, I hope winter does go easy on us. Somehow, I believe the optimism may have its magical spells to keep us well.
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Jessica,
I’m smiling too, not because I enjoy learning three children vomited at school. I’m smiling at the suspense built into the waiting, and I’m wondering why the wait to share this drama in three scenes.
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That’s a lot of vomiting! YIKES!
(Ari used to give me the throw-up reports last year. Luckily, we haven’t gotten any this year. Hoping it stays like that.)
I hope your family has an easy winter health-wise (and snow-wise!). And if not, there are always Clorox Clinical Wipes. (Yes, I went hard core with those last year.)
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So funny! Both you and your daughter are great at building suspense!
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This was not what I was expecting reading your title. But please winter, go east on all of us!
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