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Breakfast Interrupted

“Hey look. Miss Norma’s outside. Is that her cat or one of the strays?” Miss Norma is certified card-carrying animal lover. Stray cats come from miles around to feast on the delicacies that she leaves out for them in her garage. A smoky gray cat was following behind her little Jack Russell Terrier. We watched them for a minute as they enjoyed the company of one another in the late morning sunshine.

“I’m going to go ask her. Be right back.” Slam. Lauren ducked under the trees and ran over to the fence.

“I want to go say hi to Miss Norma.”

“No, Faith. Eat your toast.”

“I’ll just be a minute.” Slam. Two empty places at the breakfast table. Two children lined the fence. Fragments of cat conversation drifted through the trees and the screens of open windows.

I looked from the window to the table. Claire had sidled out the door. Three children lined the fence. Charlie and I were the only two left at the table. John had yet to make his pajama clad first appearance of the day.

“I’m going to say hi, Mama.”

“Come back and ….” Slam.

Four children lined the fence and discussed the cats and poked their fingers through the links to pet the little dog.

I looked around at the half-eaten toast and the almost empty glasses of juice. I listened to the giggling and watched Miss Norma interact with the children.

Four children and one mama lined the fence as one boy, in his pajamas, found the breakfast table deserted and came out to join us. The children skipped off soon after I came out. Miss Norma and I talked about cats and the weather and church and soon twenty minutes had passed.

“Mama, it’s eleven o'clock!”

“I have to go Norma. We’re meeting Stuart for lunch in an hour.”

I returned to a table covered with toast crumbs. Either the children came back and finished their breakfast or the dog cleaned house. My money is on the dog because those kids were awfully hungry at lunch time.”

(Miss Norma is a treasure. We know. She and Mr. Lee are the best neighbors we've ever had.)

Comments

Meg said…
The dog had a yummy breakfast! Sounds like a good way to spend the morning. Meg
Janelle said…
Take time to smell the roses. I am sure Miss Norma was blessed to see your faces along the fence.

Great storytelling as always.
ocean mommy said…
I bet that Miss Norma needed those little faces and fingers sticking through the fence! I think mornings like this are the best.
Faith said…
Cute. :) I do enjoy your stories!
Sounds to me like you did a little savoring. ;)
Donna B. said…
Boy, I sure relate to that kind of morning. Glad you have a neighbor you can let the kids run out and visit.
Mary@notbefore7 said…
What a great neighbor to have - especially one that enjoys your kids. Laid back mornings are the best.
God's girl said…
There is some joy in smallville! :)
For everyone even the dog!
I love your stories too!
be blessed!
Angela
Melissa said…
How wonderful that God put your family & Mrs. Norma together! One thing I absolutely love about a small town is that my daughter gets to know older people on a personal level. Something to be treasured!
Christine said…
I love this post, Kate. I could picture you all at the fence sharing your stories. Awesome!

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