In Momma's Kitchen

Zena woke late the morning after the police came and took her momma away. It was her dad's voice that woke her. She jumped from her bed to see who he was talking to. When she poked her head outside her door, she saw her dad sitting on the overstuffed sofa, talking into the black phone. "I won't be in today," he said. "My wife has taken ill. I am not sure how long she will be gone. No I don't have a babysitter, yet."

Zena had never had a babysitter. What might a babysitter be like, she wondered. Maybe she would be nicer than her mom. Then again, maybe a babysitter could also get mad and get very confusing. Better not to think about that. Maybe her dad would not go to work ever again, and stay home with her instead. That would be nice. Dad was quiet and liked to tell silly jokes.

Zena climbed up beside her dad, her feet straight out in front of her. "Uh-huh. Right. I should be in tomorrow," her dad finished. He hung up the phone. So much for that idea.

Zena wiggled her feet, and wrinkled her nose. "I'm hungry. What is for breakfast, Dad?" she asked. "Can we have toast and bacon?'

"Eggs, kiddo, got to have eggs too. " Dad said. He motioned to her to follow him to the kitchen. "Know where the eggs are, Zena?"

"I know how to find the cereal," she offered. "Mommy said it was OK to make cereal for myself."

"She did, did she?" said Dad. "One day Zena you'll be making other things for yourself. I am not good at cooking, but I can give it a try. Want to see what trouble we can get into?"

"In momma's kitchen?" asked Zena in surprise.

"Yessirree," said Dad. "It is all ours for today and for every day until your mom comes home."