Short Stories

A Love as Deep as an Ocean

"Malia, are you done changing into your pjs?"

"Yes momma! I am comin' down."

The sound of pattering feet against the hardwood stairs fills my ears as Malia runs down the stairs. With an oven mitt on both hands, I pull out the last sheet of oatmeal raisin cookies that Malia and I had baked together. Careful to not hit the skillet simmering with tonight's dinner, I take each cookie off the pan with a spatula and place it with the other cooling cookies on the counter.

Malia tugs on the hem of my apron as I set the pan in the dishwasher. Turning towards her, her toothy grin stares upwards.

"Momma can I have a cookie? Pretty please?" She sticks out her bottom lip, batting her thick eyelashes. Obviously she inherited her mother's innocence.

Grabbing a cooled chocolate chip from the earlier batch, I break it in half and bend down infront of her. She takes the cookie with both hands before letting her right hand drop and drag along her pajamas. "Thank you momma"

"Mal, don't wipe your hands on your pj's please."

She giggles before bitting down and talking with her mouth full, "okay momma."

Eating the other half of the cookie, I wash my hands and put away the ingredients from baking while watching Malia giggling over her cookie. She sits on her knees on her chair at the table, bouncing her head back and forth. When she finishes she walks over to the sink and climbs onto her step stool and washes her hand. I hang my apron up in the kitchen closet.

"Brush teeth now?"

"Yes lets go brush your teeth."

She runs to the bathroom where she eagerly grabs her tooth and the container of toothpaste. "Brush my teeth, brush my teeth. I brush them everyday"

Taking the toothpaste, I squeeze a tiny bit onto her toothbrush and brush her hair with a comb, "Up and down and all around."

Brushing the toothbrush back and forth she grins into the mirror, "I make my teeth clean."

She goes on for a few seconds before spitting into the sink and sticking her toothbrush back into the holder. Turning with her hands on her hips, she looks up with her lips pulled back showing her teeth.

"All clean."

"Good job, but you forgot something." She gasps and her eyebrows knit together in confusion.

"I don't know momma."

"Remember you have to clean off your toothbrush with water?"

She laughs and grabs her toothbrush, thrusting into the running water as I turn it on. "I know that silly."

Chuckling, I help her finish up as she wipes her mouth and the counter.

"Is Ze coming over today momma?"

Smiling I take a hold of her hand and walk towards the kitchen and dinning room, "Yes, but you have to go to sleep."

She frowns, "But I want to make tea with Ze. He said he plays with me next time."

I can't help but chuckle remembering Ze being pressured into saying yes to Malia asking to make tea with Kings the next time he came over. Giving her hand a soft squeeze, I pat her head with my other hand.

"I promise he will make tea with you and Kings in the morning. It is already getting late baby. Maybe tomorrow you can even let him try one of your cookies."

She stops looking upwards, "Really?"

Bending down, I kiss her head, "Yes really."

The bell rings and my heart flutters at the thought of spending another evening with Zeke. Malia pulls away as she runs to door. I don't understand how toddlers can be so fast. She has the door open and pulls Zeke in before I even reach the doorway.