Preparation is Everything

“In one door out the other…cat, who do you think you are? Stevie, give me that before…Stephen J. Sands!”

“Mama?”                         

“Get your britches over here so I can give you the licking you deserve.”

“But, Mama, come on…mama, mama, I…whaa…a…waa…aa…I hate you, you hear me? I hate you…waa!”

“There, there, Stevie, it's okay, little one. Here now hush like a good little saint.”

“I’m sorry, Mama. I don’t really hate you, you know.”

“Hush, now, it is okay, Baby. It was my fault; I shouldn't have…never mind; let’s go to the park. Maybe I better clean up this mess first. Here, take Mommy’s glass to the kitchen, Sweetheart. I’ll get the broom and sweep up the dirt; the cactus will be okay till we get back.”

“Do you think we will need to put Whiskers in the bathroom, Mama? She hasn’t chewed on anything for a long time, Mama. Mama, can we let her stay out while we go, mama, please, mama?”

“Stephen, don’t…stop pulling at me, I don’t want to trust her just yet. She climbed on top the table Sunday; right while I was setting in my chair. I can’t believe it; right there in front of me. I had to shoo her down. No…I don’t want to trust her yet.”

“Oh Whiskers, don’t be such a bad cat! Mama won’t let you stay free when we go away. Mama…”

“For heavens’ sake, boy, can’t you be quiet? You're driving me crazy.”

“I want to take my Tonka toys, can I huh, Mama, please, Mama…huh?”

“Stop pulling on my sweater, Stephen! The toys are still in the trunk, silly. We took them last time, remember?”

“Oh, yeah, I remember, now. Can we have a picnic, Mama, can we? Please? Mama, huh?”

“How about we pick something up at Mac Chow’s on our way?”

“Oh, can we? Goody! Mama, can Jerry come to the park too?”

“Oh, Stevie, last time we took Jerry you know what happened.”

“Well, I am going to ask her. You can’t stop me.”

“Okay, Stephen, you ask Jerry. She may not want to come. She got awful upset at your behavior last time, remember.”

“I know Mama. I won’t do that again, I know better now. You call her, Mama? I want to talk to her. Jerry, Mama said I could ask you to come to the park with us. I would like it if you would come. I will behave myself. I won’t make you cry, I promise.”

“I am ah…haven’t had lunch, yet, Mom’s fixing toasty cheese; my favorite. It’s almost ready.”

“We are going to pick up Mac Chow’s for a picnic. We can get you a chocolate shake and a cherry pie for dessert.”

“Oh, yeah!  I’ll hurry; Mom’s calling me. Bye.”

“Bye, bye. She’s eating; can we get her a dessert at Mac Chow’s, Mama? I told her we would.”

“Fine, we need to get going. I’m starving.”

“Me too, Mama, let’s go.”

“May I take your order, please?”

“Yes, I want the Chicken Nugg’s Kid’s Meal, make sure you put in plenty of napkins and honey, I’ll have a Number 6 Meal with coke.”

“Would you like to Super Duper your fries, Ma'am?”

“No! Heavens no! I will do good finishing this meal.”

“Will there be anything else”

“Mama, order a chocolate shake and two cherry pies, I want a pie too.”

“I want three pies, two cherry, and one apple; oh, and a chocolate shake, please.”

“Thank you, for your order, your total…$11.76. Drive up to the next window, please.”

“Morning, Ma'am.”

”I’m sorry, I only have a fifty.”

“I’m sorry, Ma'am, we don’t accept anything over a twenty for this size order. If you go inside they will take care of you. You can park over there in that area.”

“Oh, then I guess I will do that, you probably don’t take checks…err…let’s see…the Diner Card?”

“No, I’m sorry, take a parking spot and they will take care of you inside.”

“Oh, okay then, thanks!”

“Mama, why are you smiling? I don’t know how you can laugh. I’m so hungry, Mama, let’s hurry and get Jerry.”

“You wait here, Stevie, I will be only a minute.”

“I will, Mama, hurry; I’m so hungry.”

“May I help you, Ma'am?”

“I was instructed to come inside to collect the order I made at the drive up. They told me you would take care of me in here. All I have is a fifty.”

“Just a minute please. I’ll be right back. I have your order it’s, let’s see ...okay, it's $11.76 out of $50 here you are; is there anything else you need with that, Ma’am?”

“As a matter of fact there is, Miss. Put my $50 into the food bag along with all the $20’s in your drawer. I’ll take all the $10’s and $5’s while you are at it. Keep looking down, and be very still. This won’t take long.”

“Would you like me to put some money in a paper cup with a cover? It won’t get all over your lunch that way. Money’s so dirty.”

“Ahh…yeah, Miss, sure anything to get out of this joint. I got a kid with me see, if any police happen to follow me…well need I explain?”

“No, ahh… what do you want me to do?”

“Do? Oh, I want you to be calm and act normal; can you do that?”

“Yes, I will behave.”

“Thanks! You’ll be just fine. If you snitch on me I will hunt you down; comprehend?”

“Sure, I understand, Ahh…”

“As I walk away smile and help this next fellow in line as if nothing’s happened. You hear? I know where you live.”

“Oh! Yeah...bye.”

“Mama, what took you so long?”

“I came as quickly as I could. Let’s get Jerry; I want to get to the park before I starve to death.”

“Mama, I’m glad you thought of Mac Chow’s. I like Mac Chow’s.”

“Yeah! Me too, Stevie, you don’t know how much!”


Word Count:  999