Wings

she is scrubbing the very skin off my back I think to myself as I brace my hands against the sides of the pot belly tub my mother always had such strong firm hands I steady myself from the force of her strokes she is in a hurry for there is still much to be done still rocking back and forth… timed as in a rhythm wondering if I will have skin left on my bones after this is over quick commands and quicker response no time for nonsense Gosh! my skin is red... and sore... then… she rinse me off and cradles me in a towel... smiling without a smile… a thinking face but pleasant I can’t take my eyes of her she carries me into the bedroom where she plops me down on the bed and I giggle with glee... my sister is already there.… I can relax now… the hard part is over Here comes the rub-down, not an inch is missed... powder comes next and bright white undies and lacy slip and ruffled socks… we were always dressed to match people always mistook us for twins she holds my face in her two hands and plants a kiss on my forehead.… a kiss of approval and satisfaction "stay on the bed," she says... "do not get dirty before we have to go"..... We are going to visit grandmother and our favorite grandfather number one… one of the best memories of mother when she was still mother if we remember them with loving fondness... they will get wings....