Laura Carter

The Provider

The screeches, squeals and screams of a two year old child from the adjoining room permeated the tranquility of an extremely rare, individual shower. The warm water cascaded down shoulders and arms, thicker than a few years before with muscles strong from carrying, holding and cuddling her beautiful child. Claw marks from tiny nails and a clear outline of a toothy jaw, a bite from a game gone a bit too far, was bruising a lovely yellow with green around the edges on her chin. She was so shocked when it happened, the tiny creature giggling as he clenched his jaw shut tightly, tears of pain springing to her eyes. She let out a scream and tried to pull the little thing off her, causing more giggles and an even tighter grip. The fingers raked down her chin as she tickled under the boy's arms, finally causing the jaw to release.