“Mommy look it.” A seven year old toe head boy with deep set, sad brown eyes held a fist up to his mother.
“Could I have that in large bills please?” She didn’t look down at her son.
“Absolutely.” the bank teller eyed the upheld fist with the mild interest of one who is not amused by children and whatever they might have in their fists.
“Mommy look it.”
“It’s been so much more expensive than I thought it would be.” she didn’t even hear him, distracted as she was with the money, and the expensiveness of it.
“Isn’t it always? But I guess that’s what insurance is for.” The teller took the mothers silence as permission to ignore the child.
“Mommy look it!” sad eyes became impatient
“I didn’t think we would get as much as we did, what with all the claims from the storm.” Mommy pulled her wallet from her purse to stow the bills.
“Yeah the insurance companies have been very helpful so far.”
“Mommyyyy look IT!” He bounced next to his mother, the impatience coloring his tone was for the captive in his hand.
“What is it Jack? Oh my, you do have a knack for finding them any where.”
“Lets show ’em” Jack re organized his little treasure between two hands.
“Well alright. He wants to show you.” mommy boosted Jack up on one knee, and the bank teller was forced to affect a friendly smile.
“Oh how very interesting.”
“Why don’t you go set him free outside honey.”
“He will miss the air conditioning by lunchtime, can’t he stay in here with you.” Jack turned his sad eyes to the teller, with an unaffected friendly smile.
“I don’t believe we allow bugs here at the bank.” the teller eyed mommy pointedly willing her to tell her child just what to do with that bug. Jack speculated.
“I don’t think they will like him very well at McDonald’s.”
“Bugs like it outside honey I think he will be fine.”
“Can I at least give him my sucker?” The teller scoffed quietly, certain that mother would be on the same page this time.
“I bet he would like that.” Mommy smiled at Jack and pulled the wrapper off the sucker with more than necessary flourish to hand to her son, who promptly offered it to his bug, who promptly accepted. Jack skipped out side, thrilled to save the lively hood of a little bug.
“Man kids like the weirdest things these days. Does it drive you crazy?” The teller smiled a very grown up smile to Mommy.
“Not at all. My children remind me to enjoy the simple things.”
“Well I guess if you like that kind of reminder.” The teller now affected a laugh that he clearly thought would be mirrored. It wasn’t.
“My I have the receipt?” Mommy smiled politely
“Mommy! LOOK IT!” Jack came running in with two hands full. “Lets show ’em.” And with out asking for a boost this time, Jack dropped a frog on the counter.
Jack bouncing excitedly, teller standing aghast, Mommy laughing hysterically, she scooped purse, frog, child and receipt the way only mommy can, and headed for the door.
Bliss Bomb 