Thursday, February 19, 2009

The Teenager


"I just have one thing for you to do while I'm gone. It's very important that you do this - it will take about 10 minutes - before I am home. Do it first, before you do anything else so you don't forget. I'll be gone for two hours, and this 10 minute job is the only thing I want you to do for me. The rest of the time is yours."

These were my instructions to the teenager. He loves being home alone just like me,
but I really needed him to begin supper.

I had the recipe card and all the ingredients set out on the counter.
The measuring cups and spoons, the pan, the wooden spoon, all arranged neatly.
I gave him detailed verbal instructions, as well as the written ones.

Cut vegetables, put them into the pan, turn heat to medium, stir for five minutes.
Add flour and spices, stir for another minute.
Turn off the heat, put the cover on, and leave it until I get home.

So I get a frantic phone call just as I am leaving the store to come home.

"Mom? What...um....I can't remember what I'm supposed to do."

"It's all on the recipe card, just--"

"I can't...I don't know....I think I lost the recipe card."

So I come home to find the vegetables chopped (but not peeled), two bowls setting out on the counter with various ingredients in them, nothing in the pot, the entire length of the counter covered in flour and the agitated teenager standing amidst it all with a small black comb stuck into the top of his head.

It was a scene every mother dreams of.

"How long has that comb been in your hair?"

"Huh?" (feeling atop his head)
"Oh, man, I must have stuck it in there this morning...."

I can't really get mad.
Twin boy reminded me again this morning, kindly, that sometimes I drive past his school and could I please not forget to drop him off this time because he didn't want to be late.

peace.

*

7 comments:

Kelle said...

This really makes me want four kids. And a crazy house. It must be the coolest.
xoxo

mrc-w said...

Hahaha, I can just picture it! I don't know if it is a "teenager" thing - judging similar situations with "husband" at home, I think it is a drummer thing, haha!

Lisa Y. said...

Love it...our boys must be twins separated at birth! Absent-minded professors!!

Heidi Lee said...

You are a brilliant writer. I loved this.

Karaeleanor said...

Great Post Mom. I remember staring at his head and laughing. He was like: "what?! Oh," (taking the comb from his head) "I put it there in first hour and forgot about it. ONly about 10 people noticed it." I just shook my head and left the room.
Again, great post.
KEK

Beth said...

Nice to know chaos reigns in other homes. My children make me feel like it is only me.

Funny, funny post!

kool kenna said...

"there once was a lady who..."