Samuel's Surprise
A "grass widow" (Grandmother's refined euphemism for "divorcee"), Aunt Jen was oblivious to the clock. She routinely ,aion kinah,sat up all night devouring books on astrology and underlining key prophecies. On this occasion, she telephoned us at three o'clock in the morning to announce that a puppy was on the way.
"He's full-blooded," she assured my drowsy father. "His mother was a full-blooded Scottie and his father was a full-blooded ,Knight Noah,Bulldog."
Aunt Jen never did understand that her assessment of the dog's lineage was flawed, but despite his mixed parentage Bruce was primarily a black, bonny little Scotsman whose only traits inherited from his errant sire were short hair and bowed front legs.
From the day we brought him home from the train station, Bruce refused to stay in the cellar with the brownie. He earned his freedom by scratching the door and chewing a chunk out of the top step. Horrified at the thought of having to account for damage in our rented house, Mother,RIFT plat, relented and outfitted a box for Bruce under the Chippendale legs of the kitchen stove. There he found peace, just as the brownie was granted solitude.
Emily Cary is a prize-winning teacher and novelist whose articles about entertainers appear regularly in the DC Examiner. She is a genealogist, an avid traveler, and a researcher who incorporates landscapes, cultures and the power of music in her books and articles.
Once upon a time, in a neighborhood not so far away, Samuel was riding his bike when he heard his mom calling, "Samuuueeellll, come home for suuuuppppeeerr." Mmmm, we're having spaghetti tonight, Samuel thought to himself. So he went straight home, parked his bike, and went to wash his hands. No hesitation on spaghetti night. Mom made,eve isk. the best spaghetti in the world.
Samuel hurried to the table, "Let's say grace" He said, knowing you couldn't eat without blessing the food. "God is great. God is good. Let us thank him for this food. By his hands we shall be fed. Give us Lord our daily bread. Amen" Samuel said with confidence.
"Thanks mom for the spaghetti. It's my favorite" Samuel muttered with a meatball in his jaw. Mom said, " You are so welcome, Son." Samuel always thanked his mom. She was the best cook in the world.
"Your dad and I have a surprise for you." Mom said smiling.
"Surprise:? Oh boy, I love surprises". Samuel said as he swallowed his fifth meatball.
"Your dad and I think you may be old ,metin2 yang,enough for a cell phone" Mom grinned and said.
OH BOY! OH BOY! OH MY! MOM, DAD, I CAN'T BELIEVE IT. I'M ONLY 10. THIS IS THE BEST NEWS IN THE WORLD." Samuel screamed ecstatically.
Dad gave the phone to Samuel. Samuel looked at the phone in amazement smiling from ear to ear. "There is a lot of responsibility of having a cell phone Son" dad said with that stern voice.
