--- Brenden Murphy
Stuck Underneath
She didn’t want to clean out her closet, but that’s what her mother kept telling her. If she didn’t get it done by dinner time, she would not be allowed to eat. She looked over at the clock, 2:16 PM. There was still so much to get done, and a little less than three hours to go until dinner is ready. Back to sorting through all of her kid stuff she hadn’t touched in years. She was 12 now, this stuff was back from when she was in the single digits, a little kid.
Back into the closet. Clothes and toys piled high, at least a hundred feet. How was she supposed to clean all of this out? Dolls, overalls, dress up clothes...what is she supposed to do with this? Her 10 year old sister doesn’t even play with this stuff anymore.
But what’s that? Twine over in the corner, underneath the blue corduroys and gold princess crown? Why didn’t she remember seeing that before. For a minute she is irritated, thinking her sister had been in here playing. The anger quickly turned to excitement as she pulled on it and realized the the end was tied to her tea kettle. She had admitted she would never use it for tea time again, but right now she had a different idea. What if she could tie it up so it would pour the tea for her? She looked over at the clock, 2:22 PM. She could get it all done if she worked really hard after her break. Besides, she deserved one.
Sneaking outside, past her mom in the kitchen who was doing the dishes, she ran to her tree house out back. This was her favorite place to be, not in her bedroom cleaning out her closet. She was taking a break though so she didn’t have to think about cleaning. She pulled out the tea kettle and twine from the bag she had put it in, so she could make a clean getaway out of the house.
Leaning out the window beside her, she slowly started twisting the twine, through the branches and up and over. Balancing the kettle ever so carefully, she was able to tie it so it was just right. She looked down at her watch, 3:01 PM. How did the time fly so fast? She wanted to try and get a cup before she had to run back inside. 3:07 PM. Her contraption still wasn’t working and time was still moving, seeming faster than ever. One last try and then she promised herself she would go back in. She pulled on the end of the string. Perfect, it poured the water just like it was suppose to.
3:10 PM. Time to head back up to her room to see if there is anything else in that old closet that could add to her latest project...
Artwork used by permission of the artist, Lisa Rae Winant. "Untitled", 8x8 oil on panel.
Creative, Kourt! I like it.
ReplyDeleteThat was a pretty neat story. Adventurous character too. I almost picked that picture, because I liked the string! Now I want a big cup of tea with lemon I think. No, maybe just a bit-o-honey. It's cold!
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