Corn Flakes

Dad's Friends In The Tea Room

I had always been a shy child. 

My mum told me to bring the pot of sugar downstairs to the tea room, where my dad was with a group of friends.

The pot of sugar was a rectangular green plastic box with a pyramidal lid that had a crystal knob. 

3 year old me went down the several flights of carpeted stairs that led to the small guest room. I went inside and immediately felt apprehensive and intimidated by the circle of seated men that began to laugh and call my name upon seeing me. My dad tried to convince me to say salaams, but I was too shy and tried to hide behind the curtain. 

Eventually my dad scooted me out of the room so that he could focus on his conversation. And perhaps to spare me from this intimidating encounter.