Melted

We’re going to surprise her with pudding!

Dinette chairs screech and stumble
on linoleum when we drag them
to cabinets of measuring cups, wooden
spoons and the biggest aqua bowl we can find.
I empty little pouches of powder,
pour the milk, stir and lick the spoon.

Little sister gets jobs like wiping up
spilled chocolate from the floor, discarding
the pudding boxes, standing guard
for signs of an adult. At only four,
she knows more about cooking
because I don’t care, don’t pay attention.

She insists we use Tupperware on the stove.
The first plastic container starts to bubble
under brown goop. Lowering the flame
does not help, bubbles pop. The second
and third melt in similar suit. I hope Dad
can fix those holes. My sister maintains
this is how Mom makes it. We run out
of Tupperware when Mom wakes up
for her big surprise.

-lrfg