taraji h.
it was 6:00 a.m. thankfully the house was still quiet when my alarm went off. i silenced it with one hand and laid there for a second listening to bryce tiny breaths beside me. he was curled on his side, thumb halfway in his mouth, blanket tucked under his chin. knocked out.
i kissed his forehead, careful not to wake him, then got out of the bed making my way down the hallway.
the first door on the left was autumn's. i pushed it open gently. she was completely knocked out with the
i smiled, leaned down, and kissed her temple.
"autumn," i whispered, gently shaking her shoulder. "time to get up, baby."
she stirred, blinking once, then twice. "it's six already?"
"yep. go ahead and brush your teeth, wash your face"
"okay," she mumbled, already sitting up and stretching. my baby is always graceful. always half-grown.
next stop was grumpy winter. her room was a whole different vibe than autumns. walking in felt like walking into a princess house. LED lights still glowing pink from last night. her favorite plushies in formation along the wall. she was balled up under her comforter like a little croissant.
i leaned down and kissed her too, then shook her gently. "time to get up jellybean."
"mm-mm," she grumbled. "i don't feel like looking at strangers today."
i gasped dramatically. "your friends are strangers?"
"no they're my friends" she said softly and closed her eyes again.
i brushed my hand over her cheek, "you got waffles if you move. cereal if you don't. your choice."
she squinted one eye open. "waffles."
"then move. i put your clothes on the chair."
she slowly sat up, yawning loud. "is bry bry up?"
"not yet but you got ten minutes to be in the bathroom. and don't forget to lotion your knees."
"i'm not ashy!"
"them knees saying otherwise."
she stuck her tongue out before swinging her legs off the bed.
after they finished getting dressed the food was finished and they walked down the stairs looking all cute.
for autumn i picked out her a white collared button-up shirt, a red sweater, tan shorts with tiny red heart prints on them, white sambas with red stripes, white socks, clear purse with little charms on them, lots of charm bracelets.
she put vaseline on her lips and started fixing her earrings in the mirror by the stairs like she had somewhere more important to be than fifth grade.
"you look so pretty bean" i told her, straightening the hem of her sweater.
"thank you mama"
"you welcome" i smiled.
winter had on a navy blue cardigan, pale blue collared shirt underneath, plaid pleated skirt, navy knee-high socks and glossy black loafers. her hair was neatly braided with clear beads on them. i just adjusted the silver crystal headband on top.
"i could cry." i sniffled dramatically.
winter gave me a side eye. "i've seen you cry and it's not a good sight. save it for when we leave please."
she put her hand up and walked further into the kitchen to eat. my mouth was still on the floor because do i look that bad when i cry?
"whatever winter." i sassed. "autumn?"
