Little Lies

Chapter 5: Mama Plays a Joke

I sat in the garden across the artificial pond from Mama, swatting flies and pretending to enjoy the sun. Mr. Teddy sat on one side of me. Alice sat on the other side of me.

Uncle Phil and Aunt Fran walked together, hand in hand. He picked some flowers and handed them to her. She smiled at him.

Mama sat on a bench in the shade, watching them and frowning.

Papa walked out of the house and sat down next to Mama. He said something to her. She pointed her finger at him and waved it in his face. He scowled, stood up, and walked away.

"They're arguing again," Alice said.

I nodded. "They argue all the time. It makes me sad. I wish I could do something to make them happy."

"You can't do anything." She pointed to Mama. "Look, your mama wants you."

I walked over to the bench where Mama and Aunt Fran were sitting.

"Clara darling," Mama said. "Why don't you take Aunt Fran up to the library and show her your new dinosaur book? And on the way up, ask Bessie to put those flowers in a vase."

"Ok, Mama." I took Aunt Fran's hand and we walked into the house.

We were sitting in the library looking at the book when I heard Mama calling me. I ran to the open window. Mama stood with Papa and Uncle Phil on the path just below.

"Clara darling, please ask Aunt Fran to come to the window. I need to ask her something important."

I ran to Aunt Fran and we walked together to the window. Aunt Fran looked out, then turned white. She spun around, put her back against the wall, and held onto the back of a chair.

Mama laughed and pointed at the library window.

"Aunt Fran! Are you ok?" I asked.

She gulped and nodded. "Heights make me dizzy and sick to my stomach."

I ran downstairs and marched over to Mama. "That was mean!"

"It was a joke!" She laughed.

"No, it wasn't!" Papa said.

"I'm going to check on Franny." Uncle Phil ran into the house.

"I was just teasing Aunt Fran, Clara," Mama said. "Don't take it so seriously. Come here and give Mama a kiss."

"No. That wasn't funny, Mama. I'm never going to give you a kiss again." I ran to Papa.

As Papa and I walked by Mama, he said, "Darling, it looks like the joke was on you."

"Well done," Alice whispered in my ear. "Well done!"

"Don't leave me here all alone!" Mama wailed.