Tackling the Imperfection Dare

Day 5

A/N: Ohemgee three days late!! -_-" I am failing miserably at this dare . . . I'll try to catch up guys, I promise!

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Day 5.

5: Strawberries

Eight-year old Brianna made her way through the field of daisies, grass and flowers getting trampled under her feet. As she passed through the field of blooming daisies and green grass under the clear blue sky, she plucked a few daisies she thought looked the prettiest and freshest.

Untying the yellow ribbon that held up her light brown hair, she used the ribbon to bundle the daisies she picked together. She then fitted them snuggly into the little gap next to the red strawberries she picked in her basket.

She had slipped out of the house earlier that morning to pick some strawberries at the strawberry farm her best friend Felicia owned right next to her family's own farm. And the only common fruit Brianna's family didn't grow were strawberries, so her mother happened to be fond of them, claiming almost all for herself whenever Felicia's family gave her some in exchange for oranges.

Sweat glistened on Brianna's forehead under the heat of the sun but when their house came into view her walking pace quickened. She was excited to give Mama her present.

Brianna finally stepped out of the daisy field and onto the dirth path that led to their house. Bounding up the steps to the foyer, she greeted her grandma who was in her rocking chair. "Child! Where have you been? Your mother and father have been looking all over for you. Actually your papa is at the barn right now in search for you,"

Brianna held up her basket of strawberries and flowers. Grandma smiled, her smile lines showing and her blue eyes crinkling. "Oh, I see. Go surprise your Mama then,"

Brianna smiled at her grandmother before bursting the wooden doors of their brick house open and calling out, "Mama! I have something for you!"

Her mother's voice replied, "Oh, thank God you're here now. I'm in the kitchen, dear. I'm cooking the food for tonight's celebration,"

Brianna ran into the kitchen. Mama seemed to be cooking vegetable stew since she was stirring a large pot that smelled just like it. She grinned widely before tapping Mama on her shoulder, her basket of strawberries and bouqet of daisies ready.

When Mama turned, a look of surprise crossed her face, but was quickly replaced with glee. "Oh, Brianna! You shouldn't have, honey!" Mama crouched down and exclaimed as she gently took the basket and bouqet of flowers from Brianna.

Placing Brianna's gifts on the kitchen counter she crouched down again and held her arms open. Brianna gladly jumped into them, hugging her mother. Her mother planted a kiss on her forehead, then tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Thank you,"

Brianna smiled proudly, "Anything for you, Mama!"

Mama stood up and turned the stove off, and fetched two plates and a can of condensed milk. She grinned at Brianna. "Come, let's eat the strawberries you got."

She placed the basket on the dining table alongside the plates and the can of condensed milk. Taking out the nearly-wilted tulips that were in the glass vase at the center of the table, she popped the daisies in, but not before removing the yellow ribbon tying it together.

She sat on one of the chairs and motioned for Brianna to come sit with her. Plucking up one red strawberry, she dipped its tip into the can of condensed milk and took a bite. Immediately a satisfied smile struck her lips.

Footsteps were heard, and Mama and Brianna turned just in time to see Papa walking into the kitchen. "Brianna! Thank goodness you're here now. You know how worried me and Mama were? We were-" he broke off when his gaze cut to the strawberries. "Are those strawberries?"

Mama playfully snatched the basket away just as Papa was going to get one. Papa frowned. "Hey!"

Brianna giggled and got a strawberry, giving it to Papa. Delight spreading across his face, he swiped the tip into the can of milk before biting into it. "Delicious!" He exclaimed, before instructing Brianna to bring some to Grandma as well.

Holding a plate of strawberries with a small container of milk to the side, she kicked open the door to the front porch and smiled as she approached her grandmother.

Grandma looked up and smiled at her. Together they spent half an hour just eating strawberries, and when it was all gone, staring out at the country landscape before them and telling stories.

It's just one of those days when it's okay to sit down with a companion and enjoy life's little pleasures, such as strawberries.