Locked in Love
“Nana! What are you doing?”
I am visiting my three grandchildren and have currently locked myself in the bathroom to wash my face, brush my teeth, and accomplish other necessary evening rituals.
“I’m washing my face.”
I hear my five-year-old grandson jiggle the door handle.
“What’s taking so long?”
“I’ll be out in a minute!”
“Where’s Nana?” I hear my eight-year-old granddaughter ask. She has sneaked up on me.
“In the bathroom,” my grandson says.
“Nana, what are you doing?” my granddaughter now asks.
“Washing my face!”
“Can we come in?” my granddaughter yells. The handle jiggles again.
“I’ll be out in a minute.”
They do not understand that these things take time.
“She’s been in there a long time,” my grandson informs her.
“Let’s sit and wait,” she suggests. The door rattles a bit as they settle their backs against it.
No time for dental floss and its accompanying sounds. I brush faster.
“What are you two doing?” I hear their mother ask.
“Nana has been in there a long time,” my granddaughter informs her.
Oh great, I think, she’s probably ready to call the paramedics.
“Nana, are you all right?” their mother inquires.
“I’m fine!” I answer in my brightest tones. Why don’t we just call a neighborhood meeting so everyone can listen to my ablutions?
I skip stages three and four of my nightly cleansing. I wash faster.
I throw on my pjs and robe and fling open the door.
“Nana!” they cry. They fling their arms around my waist.
Now I wish I had washed even faster.
© Susan Luzader 2021