Let's Be Kids Again

AVA WEECE | JUNIOR, ENGLISH

“Mama, I’m looking for treasure,” Teddy says, with a determined squinting of his eyes. He has short wiry hair and large eyes, like his father. His mother, Alice, looks up from the dishes and sighs.

“Treasure?”

Teddy nods and fishes a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket.

“I buried it last week so it would stay hidden and I made this map but now I wanna dig for it to make money to buy blue laces for my shoes since everyone at school says you run faster if you have blue laces,” he blurts out breathlessly, all while waving the map and pulling on rain boots.

Alice holds back a giggle and runs her fingers through her hair. He’s always up to something. “Where are you going to look for it? Your dad will be home soon, maybe he can help.”

Teddy points out the window. “I buried it out there! And Dad can’t help since everyone knows that adults can’t see the treasure,” he says, making a “Duh!” expression and reaching for the doorknob.

“Ok, you can look for your treasure, but you’re only allowed to dig three holes!” Alice warns. “Only three, do you understand? We’re having company over next week and I don’t want the yard to look messy.” She gives him a stern but kind glance, and he salutes her before stamping out the door.

Alice laughs to herself as the door closes and goes back to the sink. Looking out the window, she sees Teddy stab the ground with his shovel and lean into it like he was trying to move a small elephant. Three holes won’t be bad. Besides, it gives me an excuse to plant the new flowers I got last week. She puts the last dishes away in the cabinets and looks for a spoon to stir her coffee. Before she can find one, she hears tires climbing up the wet concrete and the low rumble of the garage.

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