Mother's Child by Michael Conant

Author:Michael Conant [Conant, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Incorgnito Publishing Press
Published: 2019-01-23T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Fighting for Ernie

On Thursday morning, Ernie was up early and dressed for school. I was the last one down, the result of my extra hours of worried reading. Even Elsie managed to get an early start without grumbling.

When I entered the kitchen, Tim was at the counter making coffee. Ernie was sitting at the kitchen table with his back to me, across from Elsie. I could see that he was wearing a pair of slightly faded blue jeans topped with a bright blue cardigan sweater with the collar of a gray cotton shirt accenting the back of his neck. He looked very preppy I thought to myself and I was amazed that he was so coordinated and ready to go.

But when he turned around to face me, I was shocked. He looked so very pale.

“Ernie, I think maybe you should stay home today.”,” I said. I came around in front to feel his forehead with the palm of my hand.

Ernie backed away from my touch and pushed my hand away. “I’m fine Mom,” he said. “Just hungry.”

“You look really pale honey. Tim, don’t you think he looks really pale?”

Tim moved his head around to look at Ernie. Before Tim could answer, Elsie spoke up in Ernie’s defense.

“Oh, he just looks that way ‘cause the sweater is so bright. That color makes everyone look pale.”

“Yeah, that is a pretty bright blue. He looks normal to me. I mean you know he always looks a little pale.” Tim said before he turned back to the coffee maker.

“Well, how do you feel Ernie? Are you too tired to go to school today? I wasn’t completely convinced.

“I feel good, Mom.” Ernie was quick to reply.

“Well, then why haven’t you finished your cereal?”

“Oh, that’s his second bowl, Mom. But umm I guess he wasn’t that hungry. So, nice outfit he’s wearing though right Mom?” Elsie said jumping to Ernie’s defense once again, quickly changing the subject.

“Umm yeah,” I said and smiled at Ernie. “Yeah you look very preppy.”

“I picked it out,” Elsie bragged, sporting a big grin.

All through the short conversation, Ernie looked at Elsie for answers while he pushed back the cereal in his bowl to get at a spoonful of milk, which he slurped. That should have been a hint to me that something was not right.

It became obvious to me that Ernie and Elsie had spent the morning getting him ready and rehearsing his story. She must have seen how pale he was. Or maybe he had a vomiting fit that morning that Elsie witnessed. Ernie probably begged her not to tell because he wanted so much to go to school again. Because she didn’t want to disappoint her little buddy, she came up with the “dressing to impress Mom” idea. The other parts were just her natural quick thinking. It worked because I gave in and didn’t pursue the school issue any further.

“Okay Ernie,” I relented. “Half day again. BUT if you feel sick at all you go to the nurse’s office and have her call me and I will come get you.

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