Chop... Chop... Chop...
It was a hot summer day as I sliced up some carrots. Some were destined for supper, some were destined for the mid afternoon snack. The lake cabin's air conditioning had broken overnight and I was here working in the sweltering heat. At least there was still the fan working, and Saku said he'd look into getting the AC working again. I'm not sure if leaving the door open was bringing in more hot air or actually cooling down the cabin.
Pat...pat...pat...308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOID6M1gh6
An intruder? I glanced behind me and shifted the grip on my knife. If there was an intruder in the house I didn't want to let them know that I had heard their soft footfalls. Keeping up the visage of ignorance is the best form of surprise. However, I could not see anyone as I glanced to the side, and looking for a reflection in the silver of the tap showed no one either. I turned right around and saw two hair buns just barely over the height of the table and breathed a sigh of relief. "Where are you going Sakura?"
Pat....pat... stop
The walking stopped as Sakura turned to address me. Well I assume she turned to address me. All I could see were her hair buns and that was barely over the height of the table. I never understood why these tables had to be so high, I guess the kids do like to play around them and the more clearance they have the better. "I'm going fishing with daddy!" she responded as I saw her hand peep up over the table as she cheered.
Bzzzz.... Bzzzz... Bzzzzz
There was a moment of silence between us, only punctuated by the buzzing of the fan. My foot may have also been tapping. Wasn't Saku supposed to be looking into getting the AC fixed? This is why I can never take him seriously. He's sometimes worse than the child. Although, I guess keeping Sakura busy does keep my area clear and safe, not to mention quieter. "Oh, ok," I finally answer as my features soften. "You go have fun with dad, just remind him to behave ok?"
"Yes mom," came the response as I saw the hair buns dip below the table briefly. Before they reappeared and bounded out the front door. I sighed as I returned back to meal preparations. The fan was not really helping, but it certainly beat what was outside the door.
Pat...pat...pat...
That familiar sound of an intruder again, but this time I angled the knife to see those unmistakable hair buns glide back across the table and disappear into the hallway. There was a period of ransacking, had I not known it was Sakura, I'd have thought it was a road crew or something. A short time later, the buns reappeared with a butterfly net in tow.
"Bored of Fishing?" I asked with a slight chuckle.
"No, I just got my net because on TV when they catch big fish they use nets," the net and buns paused only briefly to deliver this detail before continuing their advance out the door. It was probably for the best. Sakura had grabbed a net that probably couldn't even hold the Koi in the pond, let alone a big fish. Still, I smiled at her playful innocence, no doubt Saku was encouraging her to be part of the expedition.
Bzzz....bzzzz...bzzz...
Time passed, and once again the only sounds I had for companions was the sound of the fan as I had started slicing some berries to put in the blender for some crushed ice later on. When suddenly...
WHAM!
The door flew open, causing me to jump back and face the doorway. The hair buns were back. "MOM!! I caught a fish this big!" Despite not being able to see her face, I could see her hand reaching over her head. Great, another fishing story. Probably a prank from her dad. I really should be immune to such frights after dealing with him for ten years, but apparently now he's recruited our daughter to the cause and I need to learn her tactics. "That's nice Sakura," the response came out almost winded, perhaps a bit too cynical for her tender years.
"You don't believe me do you..." her voice faded and her hand lowered.
"No, no dear, I'm sure you're telling the truth, but it's really hard to believe something you can't see and your dad is notorious for these types of exaggerations...."
WHAM!308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3clQAAYkd
Before I could even finish my sentence she had run back outside and slammed the door behind her. "Damn, I think I upset her," I muttered to myself. Have to remember, she's not an adult. She's a child. Can't be too blunt with her. Why are kids so fragile? Quickly washing off the knife I had and my hands I prepared to pursue my daughter when the door flew back open.
"HOLY SH--" I caught myself as standing in the doorway was Sakura, sternly trying to hold a lake trout larger than her as it flapped trying to escape out of her grasp. "I'm sooo sorry for not believing you sweetheart," I said kneeling in front of her. "I promise not to believe you again, but can you take that back outside so your dad can prepare it for eating?"
"Mhmm," Sakura nodded. "It's ok, dad said not to be angry with you. He said 2-0."
I blinked at Sakura for a moment. The fish was an obvious loss, but what was....
Ping!
And there it was... the AC coming back on. I had lost to Saku on all fronts once again.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjljDdwPW0a
