ROSIE AND ME |
| Rosie and I had no siblings. This was not a major issue. Other children that we knew didn't seem to enjoy their brothers and sisters. "They have to share things, you know," Rosie told me. "What kind of things?" "Food, clothes, beds, toothbrushes." "Yuk!" "Sometimes they share the same bath water." "Why?" "Water doesn't grow on trees," said Rosie, sounding like my mother and making as much sense. There had never been any babies in our lives. We played with barbie dolls and dressed them for every occasion, but we hadn't seen anyone change a diaper. Then Rosie's aunt came to town. In her ignorance she whisked Rosie's mother and grandmother off for a shopping spree. She left her baby in what she imagined were Rosie's capable hands. It was not a baby in one sense. It did not lay, pretty in pink, making soft baby murmurs. It was a very busy baby, it staggered around on unsteady legs and would sometimes drop to the floor to travel a four-minute mile towards danger, only pausing to put everything in sight in its mouth. "It's eating my mother's cigarette package," said Rosie, carefully avoiding little teeth as she pried out the soggy cardboard. "Why do you keep saying it?" I asked "What's it's name?" "I don't remember. Something stupid about a tree." "A tree?" "Yes. Elmwood, Pinesap, something like that." "The phone rang. "Yes, Auntie Lucy" said Rosie "A mashed banana, some crackers and a glass of milk. Don't worry, I know what I''m doing. Bye-bye." She turned to me and said, "It's a boy and it's name is Ashley." "When are they coming home?" "They're going to be late and we have to feed it ourselves" "I think I'll go home now," I told her. Rosie fixed me with a look and I stayed. The toddler was a match for Rosie. The lunch battle was on. Ashley did not want to eat, he closed his lips firmly. When Rosie tricked open the baby's mouth and shoved in a spoonful, Ashley stubbornly covered her with direct-hit spitting. Rosie was as sticky as Ashley before she would admit defeat. "Starve then, you little brat," she said, "I don't care. There was an unpleasant odor. "I think he needs changing, Rosie," I said. "Aunt Lucy should be back soon, she can do that," said Rosie, but Ashley began to whimper. He was not used to stewing in his own juices. He sniffed and squirmed until reluctantly Rosie embarked on her first major baby-sitting procedure. The baby was quiet as Rosie removed the offending diaper. She left the matter of its disposal up to me as she gingerly cleaned him up. She sprinkled him with enough baby powder to make the three of us sneeze, but Ashley was off and running before the fresh diaper had been positioned under him. Rosie and the baby had another battle of wills. Rosie won with brute force. Ashley was gracious in defeat, suitably clad and smelling sweet, he plopped a big juicy kiss on Rosie's cheek. Rosie pulled the baby on to her lap, and the two cousins cuddled together, as I cleaned up the mess. Aunt Lucy was very grateful. "No problem" said Rosie. Copyright Brenda Ross 2001 |
| Rosie sits a baby |
 |
| Ashley |
 |
   |
| Please |
| Click on links below for more Rosie stories |
| <New |