I am the semi-neurotic mother of three kids, ages 18, 8 and 5. My oldest is off to college and my youngest just started school. I’ve been the single mom, divorced mom, married mom, young mom, old mom, career mom, and attends school-at-night mom. I’ve worked in the IT world for almost two decades, but still shy from programming cell phones. I have no free time, but when I do…I write or read or plan our next vacation or holler at whomever to give me some PEACE AND QUIET.
The Sounds of Summer
Outside:
Cicadas buzz Doppler-like from tree to tree. The pool fountain burbles contentedly. The A/C units hum. Kids holler from down the street. The garbled drone of a children’s song croons from an ice cream truck. The lawn swing creaks.
Inside:
(Girls watching a cartoon)
Eva: “That guy has an England accent.”
Annika: ”It’s French. ”
Eva: “It’s England!”
Annika: “It’s FRENCH”
Eva: “England”
Annika: “FRENCH!!!”
Eva: “ENGLAND!!!”
Annika: (voce sotto) “……It’s French, stupid….”
Eva: “MOMMMMMMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Thuds ensue from the girls whacking each other. Screams erupt that can be heard in Kathmandu.
Outside:
The sound of a mom groaning.
