Dad said leftovers

Yah! cried the kids

                       nobody did leftovers like their father

Bring it on he shouted

                           they formed a bucket brigade line the youngest at the front head and shoulders in the refrigerator turninghanding off to the next youngest who turned set it on the table while the three oldest spread the tinfoil covered bowls covered Pyrex casseroles coloured closed Tupperware across the huge wood kitchen table

when the youngest cried That’s it!  they closed the frig door

                                                                 the brigade then formedup in front of it and watched as their father opened all the containers begin assessing chin in hand what to mix with what to make what to do with

it was alchemy

he was a sorcerer

Dad had the two youngest shortest closest to the floor pull out various pots and pans he asked for

into them he divvied upnobody knew what stirred them together ON went the oven ON went the four stovetop gas burners

he was the oldest

his father gave him a big spoon and told him to keep stirring the pots pans so they wouldnt burn

the aroma filling the kitchen was savorymade them salivate

Mom worked at a drugstore 

she wouldnt be home until later 

after the two youngest were bathed and in bed

Dad tasted every concoction with a silver spoon  seasoned them

What do you think, son, hot enough?

bread was on the table silverware  cups of milk

Jah Dad I think

I think you’re right, son.

                           Hand me the plates. Time to serve.

his Irish twin stood behind him and as Dad doled out an indistinguishable portions hed take the plate from him hand him another then serve it  youngest first

when Irishs plate was served he sat down

he was served  he sat down

Dad served himself and sat

                                 Children. Let’s eat.

whatever it was was delicious

 

by the time Mom came home the emptied containers pots pans dishes serving spoons ladles silverware cups were washed  dried  put away 

Dad made something identifiable for Mom and sat with her while she ate as the three eldest watched musical variety shows on television

they played the sound low

sat six feet away

                     and listened as much to the music the singing the skits as they listened to the sound of their parents murmured talk

indistinguishable words

                           and looking back and forth between themselves they smiled

feeling deeply cared for 

deeply loved

after 1034,  Thursday,  19  9. 25

2056,  Saturday,  27  12. 25