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| The day I realized just how good I had it . . . |
I admit it.
Oh, I bathed. Whenever my Mom told me to.
And I cleaned my room/living quarters.
Again when my Mom told me.
Mom was a clean nut.
But the Christmas of my twelfth year, something happened that changed me forever.
And made me realize that I like things to be clean around me.
Really clean.
Let me explain . . .
We had been invited to the home of some good friends for dinner.
It was exciting.
Families with six kids didn't get invited out very often.
For purely logistical reasons.
At least that's what I tell myself.
Moving on . . .
We drove up and were warmly welcomed into the house.
We stepped into the entryway.
And, for the first time in my life, I noticed dirt.
The house was filthy.
I mean filthy.
You couldn't tell what colour the floor tiles were, or even if there were floor tiles. I honestly think some of them were missing, but it was hard to know.
We were led to the kitchen, where the grand feast was being prepared.
I stopped in the doorway.
Frozen.
Or stuck.
It was hard to tell the difference.
Both the counter and the table in the kitchen were generously coated in the reminder of many, many meals. And things had obviously overflowed more than a few times and dripped down the front of the cupboards to pool on the floor.
The stove was unrecognizable.
Even the walls were a hazy sort of conglomerate yellow-grey. The result of the overlapping of hundreds of filthy fingerprints, splashed whatever, and humidity.
Light was dimly provided by several bare, yellowed bulbs.
Perhaps that was a blessing.
One couldn't quite make out exactly what the rubble was, lying heaped in the far corners of the room.
And under the table.
My parents stepped carefully and cheerfully into the room, already deep in conversation with our hosts.
"Is there anything we can help with?" Mom said. This was her usual and inevitable response when entering anyone's home.
Or garden.
Or feed lot.
Huh. Feed lots. And cleanliness . . .
But I digress . . .
"Oh, no, Enes, we've got things well in hand," was her response.
Well in hand?!
I'll just keep mine in my pockets, thank you very much.
"Diane, come and help us."
Mom had noticed my hesitation.
But had somehow missed the rising green colour.
"Sorry, Mom. But I think I need to go outside for a moment."
I remember her look.
Suspicion with just a slight touch of concern.
"Are you all right?"
"I'm really not feeling very well."
She came over to me.
I remember the sound of her feet, sticking to the floor with every step.
She put a hand on my forehead.
"Hmm. You seem a little warm. Maybe you'd better join the men in the front room."
The mess went on?
I couldn't bear to venture further.
"No, I really think I'd better go outside."
I was beginning to sound more than a bit rushed.
"Do you need the bathroom, honey?" our hostess asked solicitously.
My eyes widened. I could only imagine.
"Um, no. Just some fresh air."
I bolted towards the door.
And I do mean bolted. I hardly noticed my feet sticking to the floor.
Soon, I was outside in the fresh air.
Happily sitting in the nice clean dirt.
With the family dog.
He and I knew a good thing when we found it.
Ok this one got me! I have an older friend whose house can be sort of like this. We do have meals there periodically.
ReplyDeleteI have to wonder if your mom actually knew exactly what was bothering you.
ReplyDeleteYour poor thing. Our home is (to my shame) not as clean as in the one in which you were brought up. If is not nearly as bad as the home you visited either.
ReplyDeleteOur place is dusty and a little cluttered but I am happy to report we do not STICK TO THE FLOOR *shudders*
ReplyDeleteYUCK!!! I don't think I could eat a single thing that came out of that kitchen!
ReplyDeleteTrust me, i'm with you.
ReplyDeleteWe have cats. On occasion, a cat will decide not to stay off the kitchen counter even though it knows better. That's why there's bleach under the counter, so i can wipe it every time i am going to cook, just in case.
I've seen houses like that and would much rather be outside them too, but these days I'm usually called in because someone needs help cleaning up for maybe a home inspection or similar, so I get in there and clean as best I can. I don't think I could eat dinner in any of those kitchens though.
ReplyDeleteI was raised in a home where you could eat off the floor - it was that clean and considering my mom was bed ridden my whole life and died when I was a teenager, my dad did a lot. He was a minister and we visited people from the church each week. Because my mom was so sick I went with my dad. I remember houses like the one you describe and often wanted to throw up. Wow - the memories you brought back to me.
ReplyDelete