Grilled Cheese and Chocolate Milk

Dust particles float through the air while the pan hisses, a chattering bird chirps its approval from the other side of the windowscreen

Eager hands fidget while a spatula flips

Dusty flip-flops swinging under the table like a scene at the park

(You were supposed to take them off before you came inside. You always forget. Your reminder is always gentle.)

Dress-up clothes are traded for chocolate-ring moustache and crumb-sequined shirt

Even spilled ketchup doesn't seem so bad today, paint on a ceramic canvas instead of a stain to wash away

A bike lies on its side in the grass, clumsily discarded at the first call to come inside

Baking in the sun, the handles are warm

Like Mom's hands

An empty plate shines, sunlight dappled grease making a beautiful mess.