Mrs.
Epstein was the dearest friend of Droozy’s mother. She wore a red wig which
looked almost grotesque, as it was so ill-fitting that it slipped and slid all
over her shaven head. She was a woman in her late fifties who liked children
only if they were well behaved and sat like statues, quietly being seen, not
heard. It
was Mrs. Abner’s custom to take her two daughters visiting on the Sabbath
afternoon. This day it was Mrs. Epstein’s turn to receive her visitors. The
house which the Epsteins occupied was spotlessly clean and a snow white
tablecloth decked the dining room table. On it four plates, knives, forks and
spoons had been placed and a large juicy blueberry cake sat on a festive platter
in the center of the table. Mrs. Epstein carefully cut an oblong slice of this
delicacy for each of her guests and herself.
Droozy could hardly wait through the endless conversation to sink her
teeth into the delicate, fruity pastry. After delicious anticipation, family and
friend were at last seated around the dining room table. Fanny sat patiently
while Droozy picked up her knife and fork and began to cut. With one big
horrible swoop a morsel of the blueberry cake flew into the air and unto the
gleaming white tablecloth, leaving a large blue stain. Droozy’s mother was
terribly apologetic, excusing herself many times to her friend in attempting to
undo the damage through humble conversation. Mrs. Epstein smiled a saccharine
smile, said she understands that children will drop and spill food, and assured
her guests that she would most certainly be able to undo the damage with a
little soap and water. Droozy trembled as she cut the next bite. This piece
missed the plate and ended on the wall. Mrs. Epstein’s muscles tightened and
her smile was full of anger and dismay. Mrs. Abner quickly gathered up her
brood, apologized again and again and said that she was having to leave as she
was expected at home. Droozy sheepishly wrapped the remainder of her blueberry
cake into her handkerchief and enjoyed every juicy bite of it on the way home. |
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