Dinner Manners

Quietly waiting at the table legs swinging… Then, Aunty Jean brings in green soup. Mother-glares at me, sister-stares with me at the cold green soup. Is it medicine, pond slime, mushed frogs? ...at least twenty spoonfuls long. Silently I say, “Ugh!” Quietly waiting at the table… Aunty Jean brings in passionfruit cheese-cake, cream dessert. Is it more slime, frog spawn, tadpole eyes...? Oh no, it’s a giant slice. I take one bite… “Oh,” says Uncle Ron, “Don’t you like it?” “Not really,” I murmur. “All the more for me,” He smiles, turns goggle-eyes, leans across, adds my slice to his. Cauldron bubbling, mixture squelching sauces oozing gases belching… “A glass of milk?” “Yes please, I’d like a glass of milk.” “...and a chocolate frog?” “No, No thank-you, Aunty Green.”