Adulting Is Hard

"It's time to get up," the Grown-Up says, her voice gentle in its urging. On the bedside table, the alarm she set last night beeps incessantly, confirming that morning has arrived. Outside the window, birds chirp their cheerful melodies to greet the day, while the pale light of dawn casts rainbows about the room through the dew-covered panes.

With a groan, the Inner Child slaps the alarm to silence it. "No," she grumbles, rolling over and snuggling deeper under the covers. "I don't want to get up. It's too early. Five more minutes, please."

"That's what you said yesterday," Grown-Up chides, her tone less gentle and more firm. "I gave you five minutes, and you took a whole hour. You need to get up now, or else you'll be late."

"I don't care if I'm late," Inner Child grumps sourly, pressing her pillow over her head. "Going to work is no fun anyway. I want to sleep. Just go away and leave me be!"

Grown-Up sighs and shakes her head. "You know I can't," she says softly. "You need me just as much as I need you. Get up now. If you hurry and get dressed, I'll let you have a treat."

Inner Child peeks open a sleepy eye, intrigued by Grown-Up's offer. "A treat?" she muses. "I like treats. Can we have donuts for breakfast today? I'll get up if you let me have a donut."

"No: donuts are bad for you," Grown-Up says, her voice stern but not quite scolding. "Besides, we don't have any. You ate the last one yesterday. How about a blueberry muffin and a coffee instead? I'll even let you put extra sugar in it."

"Fine," Inner Child grumbles, kicking off the sheets with a sullen scowl. "I'm up... but before the end of the day, we're buying more donuts!"

Later that afternoon, Grown-Up and Inner Child find themselves wandering the aisles of the grocery store. Inner Child is pushing the cart, humming along to the music wafting down from the speakers overhead, with a merry bounce in her step. At the bridge of the song, Inner Child stops the cart for a moment to bang out an air-drum solo on the handle.

Grown-Up shakes her head with a smile. "That's my girl," she thinks. Today she follows a few steps behind, keeping one eye on Inner Child and the other on the grocery list in her hand. She takes the lead once or twice, checking the price tags on the shelf and reading the information labels on packages, but for the most part Inner Child is in control. Grown-Up trusts Inner Child to make good decisions, offering a guiding hand only if it's necessary.

When they reach the freezer aisle, Grown-Up braces herself for the conversation that's sure to come. Like clockwork, within a minute of passing the first gleaming glass and chrome case, Inner Child pauses and her eyes grow wide with excitement.

"Look," she squeals. "They have ice cream! Can we have ice cream today, Grown-Up?! Pretty please with sprinkles on top?!"

Grown-Up holds back an eye roll and steps forward, checking the price tags underneath all the colorful cartons in the case. "I don't think so," she says. "Not today. It's too expensive, and you've picked out plenty of treats this trip already."

Inner Child's cherry pink lips form a grumpy pout, her arms crossing across her chest in defiance. "I want ice cream," she demands, "now!"

"I said no, and I meant no," Grown-Up counters firmly. She tries her best to stay patient with Inner Child, being careful not to raise her voice. "You've already got donuts in the cart, plus a box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Pop-Tarts. That's more sugar than you can eat in a week. We don't need ice cream, too. We'll get some next time, okay?"

Inner Child stands there a minute longer, her eyes glimmering with longing at the frozen treats on the other side of the glass. A few of the other shoppers give her harsh looks for being there for so long, which eventually earns a wistful sigh.

"Okay," she says, lowering her head glumly as Grown-Up leads her away by the hand. A minute later, Inner Child's spark reignites as they turn down the next aisle. "Ooh: pizza! We can have pizza, can't we?!"

Grown-Up glances at the case, relaxing a little when she spies the "buy 1, get 1" special tag hanging on the shelf next to the price. "Alright," she agrees, a smile on her lips. "We can get pizza... but it better have at least one vegetable on it, Little Missy."

As the day winds down and inches into night, Grown-Up and Inner Child are relaxing on the couch. Grown-Up again leaves Inner Child in charge, letting her pick a show for them to watch. Both are deeply enjoying the show Inner Child chose, so much that Grown-Up indulges her plea for one more episode. Before she knows it, one more episode has turned into three. As the credits roll again, Grown-Up checks the time on her phone and lets out a soft sigh.

"It's time for bed," she says. "Go take a shower and get ready now. You have an early day tomorrow."

"Aww," Inner Child moans, kicking her legs over the edge of the couch. "Just one more episode, please?!"

"Not tonight," Grown-Up insists, stifling a yawn with her hand. "We should probably load the dishwasher before turning in, too. Come into the kitchen and give me a hand."

"But they shot the main character!" Inner Child argues, her eyes pleading, as she grips the remote with both hands. "He could be dying! We have to see if he survives! And I don't want to do the dishes anyway! We can do it tomorrow!"

Grown-Up sighs heavily and tugs her ponytail holder out, massaging her scalp as her hair falls loosely about her shoulders. "Okay, we'll skip the dishes tonight," she concedes. "You still need to shower and go to bed now, though. No exceptions. Get a move on."

Inner Child frowns as Grown-Up pries her fingers off the remote. "Okay, fine," she mutters. "Can we at least read a little before bed? I want to finish that chapter. Please?"

"Fine by me," Grown-Up giggles tiredly, "if you can stay awake that long."

Inner Child harrumphs as she carries their dishes to the already overflowing sink, parking them on the counter beside it. "I can stay awake," she huffs. "I'm not even the littlest bit sleepy, so there!"

Within the hour, Inner Child and Grown-Up are in bed together. Grown-Up sets the alarm for them as usual, adding a few more snoozes for Inner Child just in case, while Inner Child grabs the book from the bedside table. She only reads a paragraph's worth, however, before she starts to yawn and rub her eyes.

"We'll finish this tomorrow," Grown-Up promises, setting the bookmark between the pages and laying the book down before it hits Inner Child in the face. "Goodnight, Inner Child, and sweet dreams."

Inner Child nods and turns off the lamp, burrowing under the covers with a sleepy sigh. Right before they drift off, she rolls over suddenly and opens her eyes again.

"Grown-Up?"

"Mm-hm?"

"Thank you."

Grown-Up pries open a curious eye, frowning at Inner Child. "For what?" she asks.

"For... well, everything," Inner Child murmurs. "I don't know what I would do without you. Literally. You make me a better person... and... I love you."

A smile stretches Grown-Up's lips as she rolls over, pulling Inner Child into a warm, gentle hug. "I love you, too, Kiddo," she whispers. "Good night."