SMOKE
Every time we pass the old house she says "Well Grandma and Grandpa are sitting on the porch"; or "Grandpa is just sitting there and poor old Grandma is raking the yard". Of course she makes these remarks as we pass out of viewing range of the old house.
Sometimes she says "looks like they are not at home", as we go by. Just to keep me on my toes. Every once in a while she says, "let's see if we can see Grandpa and Grandma" as we approach the old house.. they're never at home when she says that. I've never seen them... I know they don't exist she just likes to play this mind game with me every time we go to our place at the lake.
Occasionally, I am alert and watch for the house out of the corner of my eye. So far she has been too clever for me. She's so good at this little charade, I'll probably just stop sometime and prove once and for all that no one lives there..
With this last thought, I pound and fluff my pillow, make one last toss, turn and snuggle comfortably to the pillow. Moments later I'm asleep.
Suddenly I'm awake! No noise just the covers scratching gently on my chin as I turn. I smell something burning! It's wood! What's wrong? Is the house on fire? I am dazed but raise straight up in bed.
I panicked!
"Robbie, Robbie!" I squeaked as I deliberately shook her.
"What?" She said sharply, obviously annoyed.
"Do you smell that?"
There was a moment of silence. Then in a scolding tone "Yes, you fool!... You're disgusting! Now leave me alone."
It wasn't till then that I recognized the pungent aroma. I was pleased that the house wasn't on fire, but slightly embarrassed over the incident. She shouldn't be mad. I was truly frightened, I didn't wake her up just to..... Well, .... that would have been a pretty cute joke; maybe that gets her back for making up that story about the old folks in the old house on the way to the lake.
Copyright � 1994 Charles Prier
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