I made a meat loaf for supper.The pans I used to stir the meat were on the island and the stove.The dirty breakfast dishes were on the counter by the sink. The dishwasher was ready to be unloaded and reloaded.
My daughter asked me, ” Are you done yet? When can we ride bikes?”
“After I get the meat loaf in the oven I will ride bikes.”
The meatloaf was ready to be put in the oven. My daughter was outside waiting for me. I could clean the kitchen now. I had a few minutes. She couldn’t see what I was doing in the house.
I made a choice.
I put the meatloaf in the oven. I turned my back on the kitchen counters. I walked out the front door, The dishes yelled at my receding back, “Hey, Pamela. Don’t worry about us. We will be right here when you get back.”
I left the kitchen as it was. I wanted my daughter to see I chose her over a clean counter. I could clean the kitchen when it was dark outside. The sun was shining. The time to ride was now.
