Page 77
“I think I might have some.” He opened a cupboard and dug around for a moment. “There they are.” He took out a bag and handed it to Wilda. “I’ll let you do the honors.”
She opened the bag and poured some into the batter. “How’s that?”
Caleb clapped his hands. “More.”
Wilda added a few more. “I think that’s good now. Mix them in, then we’ll start cooking.”
Caleb stood on the stool a safe distance from the stove and watched Milo pour three interconnected circles of batter, forming the outline of Micky Mouse. When it was finished, he slid it onto a plate. “Just like I knew what I was doing.”
Wilda smiled. “Good job.”
Caleb jumped off the stool and ran to the table as Wilda brought him the plate. “Here you go. A perfect Micky Mouse pancake.”
Milo picked up the bowl of batter. “Mr. Mouse for you, too, Wilda?”
“Of course.”
He made her one, then made one for himself and joined them at the table. “Nothing like pancakes and bacon on a Sunday morning.”
“It’s perfect.”
Caleb finished his pancake and pushed his plate toward Wilda. “More.”
“Um…is that how we ask?”
He glanced at Milo. “More pancakes, please.”
Milo smiled. “Coming right up.”
He made another one for Caleb and one for himself, calling Wilda a wimp when she said she was full.
She took another piece of bacon. “One more piece of bacon should do it. Since you boys did the cooking, I’ll do the dishes.”
“I won’t even argue with you on that. Caleb and I have some plans in the yard.”
“Really? Doing what?”
“The oak tree in the backyard is begging for a swing.”
“That sounds fun. Are we sure the branch is strong and won’t break?”
“We’re sure. I actually had a tree guy out here last spring. He checked out all the trees. They are healthy and thriving.”
“Okay. Sounds like a fun project then. Do you want help?”
“I don’t know. It’s kind of man’s work.” Milo looked at Caleb. “What do you think?”
“Man’s work.”
Milo shrugged. “Sorry. I guess you need to stay inside and do women’s stuff.”
“Wow.”
He laughed. “I’m kidding, of course. Caleb, your mom is more than capable of hanging a tire from a tree.”
Caleb looked at her for a moment, then went back to eating.
Wilda smiled. “I probably am. But I will leave it to you. Let me know when it’s done. I want to witness the first swing.”
