The Nice Thing About Strangers
Creative Non-Fiction Short Stories. :) Travel, Oldsters, Love, and Compassion.
The Delight of Responsibility
He’s overjoyed. The small boy has been placed in charge of the hose at the car wash, and he’s drenching the hood of the family sedan. Straining to keep the powerful hose pointed in the right direction, he’s using what muscles he has to accept this practically-adult responsibility. Car washing is serious, and he’s beaming as–on cue from their father–his sister changes the setting to soap. Suds develop in the washing bay, turning the surfaces shiny, coating the tires, foaming over the windshield. He screams, jumps, squeals in delight.
His father stands two steps behind him, sometimes flinching, sometimes laughing with the daughter. Finally, it seems the hose is gaining a life of its own, so Dad cautiously steps close, mindful to assist rather than take over, and guides the shower back on course.
–Somewhere in Slovakia.
A delightful vignette. Well done!
Thank you, Nia!! 🙂
Paige
You are so good at telling these little stories…
I like this you have a way with words
Thank you, Joanne! I feel like I’m always thanking you! 🙂 You’re just great–
Paige
You convey these images so effortlessly, it seems. Thank you, Paige.