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This Friday, the Red Writing Hood has prompted me to craft a piece of short fiction featuring the dialogue between two people arguing, focusing more on the spoken language and less on setting details.
Immediately, I was inspired to create a dialogue with a small child, probably because I’ve been reading “The Nanny Diaries” by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus. And it’s time for something light-hearted after last week’s piece for the Red Writing Hood, a poem about infidelity and unhappiness titled “The End of the Rainbow.”
I Scream for Ice Cream
“Mama, can I have ice cweam for dessert? Pwetty pwetty please with a cherry on top?”
Four year old Jillian can hardly contain her elation at the sweet possibility of ice cream. She is perched on the edge of her chair, both hands clasped in front of her. Begging and pleading.
“Finish your dinner, Miss Jillian. Then we’ll talk about dessert.”
“I want ice cweam. Ice cweam! Ice cweam! I scweam for ice cweam!”
“I don’t know, Jillian. We have fresh berries for dessert. And I still see a lot of broccoli on your plate.”
“But you gave me soooooo much bwoccoli. I don’t like it! I like ice cweam.”
“Jillian. Stop pestering me, or you can forget about ice cream.”
“Mama, pleeeeease!”
“If you keep this up, you won’t get berries or ice cream.”
Silence ensues as Jillian and her mother eat in peace.
“Are you all done, Mama?”
“Yes, I am. And I am going to help myself to raspberries and blueberries for dessert.”
“Mama, why do I have to eat all of my dinner and you don’t?”
“Because I’m an adult, Jillian. I have the opposite problem. Adults eat too much and usually, we need to eat less. But you are a little girl and you need a lot of good food to grow big and strong.”
“I’m not little.”
Jillian pauses. For a moment, she appears to be deep in thought.
“If I am little and I need a lot of good food, shouldn’t you give me ice cweam?”
“I wouldn’t classify ice cream as good food, I’d–”
“I would! Ice cweam is soooo good.”
“By good, I mean healthy. Ice cream is junky. We should only eat junk food once in a while.”
“No, it’s not junky! Ice cweam is healthy. I like it.”
“You’re a funny one, Jillian. Foods from the earth are healthy foods, like vegetables. Now finish yours, you only have three broccoli flowers left.”
Jillian pushes the broccoli around her plate and finally acquiesces.
“All done! Can I have ice cweam now?”
“One itsy bitsy scoop. I’ll put the berries on top. And you have to promise not to ask for more. Or else next time you want ice cream, there will be none. We save ice cream for special occasions. It’s only in the freezer because we just celebrated Grandma’s birthday. Do you understand?”
“Ok, I understand. Can I have my ice cweam now?”
“Yes, sweetie.”
Jillian’s mother produces a carton of vanilla bean ice cream. In certain ways, more valuable than gold. The temptation is too much.
“Mama is going to have a little scoop too.”
“But mama, you didn’t eat all of your dinner.”
“Jillian, adults can make their own decisions. Adults don’t need to eat as much as children. Remember?”
“Then why are you having ice cweam?”
Jillian’s mother put down the spoon. She’d save her ice cream for later. After Jillian went to bed.
Do you ever “sneak” certain foods away from the prying eyes of your children? I know I do!
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30 Responses to i scream for ice cream
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My name is Lucy Miller Robinson. I live for mothering, writing, reading and dancing. I love nature, art, yoga, design and slow food. I make artisanal and medicinal teas for my business, Herbal Philosophy. I write short fiction and poetry and as-yet-unpublished novels. I strive for wellness, balance, mindfulness and gratitude. My blog is a love letter to the bohemian spirit.
Want to get in touch? Email me at lucy {at} lucilleinthesky.
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This is brilliant, the dialogue is so natural and a delight to read. I’m sure many parents have has similar experiences
Yes, we do. Every day!! Glad you enjoyed, Sam!
This is brilliant, the dialogue is so natural and a delight to read. I’m sure many parents have has similar experiences
Oh, I’m a total food sneak! Love this!
Cheryl @ Mommypants recently posted..Good luck with that
Me too. I have chocolate hidden behind the vitamins.
This conversation happens here all the time… I bake my brownies after their bedtime, this way I don’t have to share… muahahahah!
Very sneaky, indeed! Now I want brownies. Hmm…
What an easy read. I enjoyed it thoroughly.
Thank you, Alita
I’m a sneaker. When there’s only a bite left of something yummy, I’ll hide in the pantry and eat it so I don’t have to share. How’s that for a confession?
Lula Lola recently posted..The Last Day of Summer
That’s a perfect confession. Glad I’m not the only one
Loving this freestyle dialogue! (Even if it’s heavier subject matter, love seeing poetry on blogs).
Jude recently posted..Encounter
Ha ha ha! This little chickie would be a great litigator – it’s what I tell my boys all the time.
I ALWAYS have MY dessert after they are in bed. I’m trying to set a good example! ; )
Fun piece! Stopping by from TRDC.
Adelle @ ready…GO!…get set… recently posted..Friday Favorites- Boots!
I try to set a good example too. Even if I am going to sneak sweets for myself, I’d prefer a better start to life for my children. Although I will allow treats every once in a while
Very timely. I bought ice cream today (don’t tell anyone) and the kids asked and begged all through dinner.
I think that’s why it’s easier to just not have it in the house.
Jillian has a good point though. If mama didn’t finish het dinner, no ice cream.
Kristin @ Peace, Love and Muesli recently posted..I Have A Gauntlet And I’m Going To Drop It
That’s pretty funny. I’m sure you can relate! It is definitely far easier when ice cream is not in the house (that’s why I had to throw in that the ice cream was for a birthday in this story). Although my husband will try to buy ice cream every time he goes to the store.
Love the logic in that dialogue on the kid’s part. SO reminds me of the conversations I’ve had with my own kids. Frustrating and cute at the same time. Great post.
Raquel Byrnes recently posted..Rain- Revolvers- and Reckless Words
YES. Definitely frustrating, definitely cute. Glad you could relate.
I have to hide my yummies because I’m terrible at sharing!! Sshhh…don’t tell my boys!
Love the natural flow of this piece. Very fun and light.
Kerri recently posted..What are you drinking
Thanks! So happy you enjoyed. It’s ok if you don’t want to share…neither do I. Heh heh.
Loved this! I loved the little girl’s voice. So cute. And I sneak my ice cream too.
Jillian is definitely a smart one. Ice cream sneakers should unite.
This sounds like something that happens in my house on a regular basis. What a cute story and I could actually picture a little girl in ponytails with the little lisp. I loved it!
The Drama Mama recently posted..BSOW- Theres Cow Poop in Here
I’m glad Jillian came alive for you. She’s definitely in ponytails. Thanks for reading!
Too cute! I loved it! Especially the ending!
Ashley recently posted..Fiction & A Mans Package!
Thanks! I had to make sure the mom got her treat too
Mine are teenagers. Since I pretty much only see the backs of their heads these days, I don’t have to sneak my ice cream. I can boldly stand in the kitchen with the pint of Haagen Dazs Amaretto Almond Crunch in one hand and a spoon in the other and watch Entertainment Tonight while consuming as much as I want. Then I put a sticky note on the top of the container that reads, “Hands off. This belongs to mom.”
Grace recently posted..It’s Not the Needle That Bothers Me
I hear that teens are by far the most difficult. But at least you don’t have to sneak the treats anymore. LOL!
ah ha! great read – oh yeah, i have to sneak any sweet treat and my daughter has bionic hearing AND vision so 9 times out of 10 I’m busted and have to share :/
mangiabella recently posted..Making Time for More Time
So true, definitely. I do this with TV watching. I’ll tell them they can’t watch, but that’s the first thing I do when they go to bed. Loved this dialogue. Good exercise, this writing. Thanks for sharing.
Grateful Twin Mom recently posted..And the Camp Mom Award for Engaged Kids goes to Team Twins!