Thursday Night - Part 1

Thursday evening, I was racing home from work, it was my daughter’s birthday and I did not want to be late. Just 3 days earlier, Valentine’s Day, I was at her home, dropping off candy. My daughter was at work, but her husband Kurt, my son Joe, and the grandchildren, Tristan and Olivia, were there.

The talk turned to Kristy’s birthday on the 17th, I asked Kurt if he was getting a cake, or if I should. He said he would take care of it, then Tristan blurted out, “Mommy wants chocolate cake,” At 3 1/2, he is a smart cookie, because that is exactly what his father ended up buying.

Back to Thursday: when I arrived home, I checked my messages to see if my daughter had called, being none, I left her one to call me when she wanted me to stop by. Then I checked my messages and found the posting from Doctor Spooky.

His challenge, to create a presentation on a haunted house, “Hell House” in particular seemed to spark something in me. Knowing that the book took place in Maine, my neighboring state to the north, I thought it would be fun to take a road trip on my scooter and visit the location in which it took place. I posted my thoughts, and then laid down for a little while.

So about 5:30 PM, I get a call to rush over as they are about to have the birthday cake. I arrive to see two smiling children, both glaring at the double chocolate cake on the table. Almost immediately, the candles are lit and we are led into a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday initiated by the two and 3 ½ year-olds. They say talents run in families, but I think the lack of talents also follows the generational lines; it was clear by the end of the song that none of us could sing.

Then the cake was served. Mommy only had a little piece as she was going out to dinner as did Daddy; I had a small piece as well. I had not eaten anything today and knew if I had too much sugar, things would not be pleasant. Tristan had one slice, and his cheeks began to turn red, I think the sugar was taking hold. Olivia on the other hand, she devoured 2 slices, and between bites was reaching with claw-like hands towards the remained of the cake, attacking the frosting. Then she got that look in her eyes…

“The Livy Monster” is a nickname we have for our darling angelic Olivia. I supposed I have to share in the blame for that, at 6 month’s old, I taught her how to growl and claw like a monster, but she took that little bit and made it all her own. For example: last Christmas Tristan was showing me how he had set up his trains in the living room. It was a wonderful feat of engineering, he had covered the entire room with train tracks, all connected in intricate patterns with buildings, tunnels, ramps, and hills. The trains were racing around, it was incredible. He did all this at only three years old. Then I saw Livy peek around the corner… She entered the room like a munchkin version of Godzilla, kicking over trains, stomping on tracks, ripping up buildings and tossing them across the room, both Tristan and I were in shock. The Livy Monster had struck.

This night, there were no trains or track on the agenda; she had looked at her mother, and the black dress she was wearing. Face and hands covered in chocolate, she jumped off her chair and raced around to meet Mommy.

Kristy is fast, and in excellent shape. In fact, she was the first freshman ever accepted onto her college’s Intramural track team. Seeing what was coming, she was already on her feet.

Livy, with her hands raised by her head, much like she was making the moose sign, seemed float around the kitchen like a wraith, feet never touching the floor, as she chased her mother. There was no escape, and I heard the word “No!” come from my daughter’s lips as the Livy Monster caught her and gave her a chocolate hug and kiss. Livy then said, “Happy Birthday Mommy.” and smiled. The image of my daughter being chased around the house by a chocolate moose (mousse?) is one that will never leave me. I smiled!