Cracks in the Ceiling | Bonus Content
Expectations
By Angell Stevenson
Chapter 1.
It’s Floppy’s turn.
Julie sat on her knees looking at the group of characters before her. All her favorite stuffed toys sat along the headboard. Julie had a decision to make.
“Ok, Floppy, tonight’s your turn,” she said, taking her stuffed rabbit from its spot.
Carefully, arranging a turtle that appeared to be slipping, she added, “There you go, Jax; that’s better.”
Satisfied, Julie turned and snuggled under her covers waiting for her mommy. She smiled as she remembered the story Mommy told last week about when Floppy, Julie and her best friend Andy went to the zoo.
Minutes later, Lisa entered the room. She loved the evening storytelling ritual as much as Julie. But, tonight she had a little parental detective work to address first.
“So it’s Floppy tonight, is it?” said Lisa with a smile.
“Yes,” Julie replied, as she slid over to make room. “It’s Floppy’s turn.” She held the rabbit in her outstretched arms.
Lisa lay next to Julie, cuddling Floppy between them.
“I heard Andy and Beth talking when I came home from work today. It seemed like they were arguing.” Lisa paused to give Julie a chance to reply.
Julie said, “Yeah, Beth was making fun of Andy’s mommy.” Julie turned and snuggled closer. Lisa waited patiently. Moments later Julie continued, “She said Andy’s mommy doesn’t do anything but stay at home. She said Andy’s mommy’s not as important as her mommy.” Julie looked up at Lisa. “Beth was being mean; she made Andy cry.”
A wave of emotion surged through Lisa, making her squeeze Julie tighter to her. After a moment of reflection, Lisa said, “Well now…tonight’s going to be a special story about Grandma Sarah.” Lisa looked at her daughter. “Do you remember Grandma Sarah, Julie?”
“Yes…she was daddy’s mommy,” said Julie. “But she died.” Julie, looked up and asked, “Is Floppy going to be in the story, Mommy?”
“Oh, yes,” replied Lisa with a smile. “Grandma Sarah loved Floppy. Do you remember who gave you Floppy?”
Julie thought about the day that she was sitting at the kitchen table coloring. She remembered that Grandma Sarah had walked into the room holding Floppy. “Yes,” said Julie, “Floppy was a present from Grandma Sarah.”
Lisa lifted her arm and Julie snuggled closer. Holding Floppy on Julie’s hip, Lisa began her story.
Once upon a time, there was a girl named Sarah.
Julie giggled in appreciation that story time had begun.
You’re reading an excerpt from Expectations by Angell Stevenson, which is Bonus Content available when you purchase her novel Cracks in the Ceiling.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Copyright © 2019 by Angell Publishing.
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