Rose Jackson sat at the dining room table in the old Jackson farmhouse, a book propped up on the table in front of her and a steaming cup of coffee beside it. She paused in her reading to gaze out of the window, where the warm autumn sun lit up the big old elm tree on the front lawn and the birds that flitted back and forth across the yard. She picked up her coffee cup and took a sip, then returned to her reading.
She had read only a few pages when she heard the rapid patter of little feet in the hallway upstairs and then the creak of the stairs as someone made their way down. She smiled to herself and closed her book, careful to put a bookmark in to mark her place. A moment later a tousle-headed blond child appeared in the doorway, rubbing sleep from her eyes.
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“Well, good morning Allison,” said Rose. “You’re up!”
Little Allison looked momentarily disconcerted, but then her face lit up and her bare feet flew as she raced across the dining room and launched herself into her grandmother’s lap. “Grandma!” She curled up there, snuggled contentedly into Rose. “I forgot,” she said.
“What?” said Rose. “What did you forget?”
“I forgot that you would be here,” said Allison. “I thought you were Mommy.”
“Mommy’s at work,” said Rose.
“I know that,” said Allison. “You didn’t even have to tell me.” She snuggled in closer. “I love you so much,” she said.
“I love you too,” said Rose. “I think we are going to have an awesome day.”
Allison didn’t bother to respond to that, as if it were a foregone conclusion. She sat quietly for a bit and then pointed at Rose’s cup. “What’s that?” she asked.
“Coffee,” said Rose. “Are you thirsty?”
Allison shook her head.
“Hungry?”
This time Allison nodded. “I haven’t had breakfast yet,” she said.
“I know,” said Rose. “You just got up. What would you like? I could make eggs and there’s some leftover potatoes. I could make hash browns.”
Allison shook her head.
“Would you rather have oatmeal? Or cold cereal with milk and sugar?”
Allison pondered that for a second, then shook her head again.
“Well, my darling,” said Rose, “I don’t know what other options we have.”
“I could just have cookies,” said Allison.
Rose chuckled. “Is that what Mommy gives you for breakfast?” she asked.
Allison giggled. “Of course not,” she said. “She’s Mommy.”
“Ah, well then,” said Rose, “why don’t we pretend I’m Mommy for a few minutes. If I was Mommy, what would I give you for breakfast?”
Allison giggled again. “Cookies,” she said.
Rose laughed out loud. “You’re a very funny little girl!” she said. “You just said Mommy wouldn’t give you cookies.”
“Mommy wouldn’t give me cookies, but if you were Mommy you might,” said Allison hopefully.
“I tell you what,” said Rose. “How about I give you a bowl of granola with milk with raspberries on top, and when you’ve eaten that, if you’re still hungry, you can have one cookie for dessert.”
Allison sat up. “OK,” she said. “Can I have lots and lots of raspberries?”
“I think you can have the normal amount of raspberries,” said Rose.
Allison slid off of Rose’s lap and padded over to the cupboard. “I’ll tell you when it’s the normal amount,” she said. Rose took a bowl from the cupboard and filled it with granola and milk while Allison stood on tiptoes to watch her put the raspberries on top.
“Five more raspberries,” said Allison.
“What’s the magic word?” said Rose.
“Please?” said Allison.
“All right. There you go.” Rose set the bowl on the table and helped Allison clamber onto her chair.
“Where’s Andy?” asked Allison, picking up her spoon.
“Andy’s still asleep,” said Rose. “I was thinking I should go wake him up.”
Allison held up her hand as if to stop Rose. “No,” she said emphatically, “you should let him sleep all day!”
“All day? But why?” said Rose.
“I like when he’s asleep,” said Allison. “Can we watch ‘Frozen?’” she asked, changing the subject abruptly.
“OK,” said Rose. “After you finish eating, we can watch ‘Frozen’ till Andy gets up but then I think we should go outside. It’s beautiful outside today.”
“You’re my favourite grandma,” said Allison through a mouthful of granola. “I’m glad.”
“I’m your only grandma,” said Rose.
“I know,” said Allison. “That’s why I’m glad you’re my favourite.”
Rose leaned down and kissed the top of the little girl’s head. “You’re my favourite granddaughter she said.
Allison popped a raspberry into her mouth. “I know that,” she said. “You didn’t even have to tell me.”
