Helena, Iris’ mother, was preparing dinner when she heard her daughter running down the hall.
“Where are you off to my dear?” She called out to Iris but there was no answer. She stared at the kitchen wall that separated her from the hallway. “Why do I bother?” She asked herself as she returned to her carrots on the cutting board. “My kids are always heard but never seen.” She continued slicing and suddenly stopped. A little hand appeared from under her arm and snatched one of the carrot slices. “Is there a little carrot stealer in my kitchen?” Her eyes scanned from cabinet to floor before she caught herself. No one was there. Her children no longer played in the kitchen as she cooked. She longed for those little golden morsels of motherhood that pass quickly like running feet down the hall.
“Oh Helena!” Iris called out from under the arched entrance to the kitchen. She mimicked the voice of her aunt Penelope in the hope of getting her mother to show her hostess face.
“Penny what on earth brought,” Helena stopped in the middle of her sentence.
“Click!” the magic eye gave out a mechanical finger-snap. Iris aimed the magic eye at her mother and caught Helena in an expression of gaiety. She bore an immortal smile reserved only for the most dignified guests.
“Gotcha!” she giggled.
“Oh Iris!” sighed Helena as she saw the magic eye in her daughter’s hand. “You’d better put that back before,”
“It’s fine Mom,” Iris interrupted. “Hera said I could play with it.”
“Alright, I’ll stay out of it,” Helena said as she returned to her carrots.
“Bye Mom.” Iris thought of her mother’s smile as she walked away. She thought how silly it was to trick her mother into giving her that smile, but it was in her possession now and she had to keep it safe.