One of the best parts of my mom not working all summer, is that I can use her desktop computer as much as and whenever I want to.

I start it up and tear open a Fruit by the Foot as I wait to get online.

Why on Earth does it make that weird sound when you connect to the internet? It still freaks me out. Are we connecting with aliens or something when we go online?

At the same time, it makes me giddy, and as I chew on my berry flavored treat, I sit down in the creaky swivel chair and take a few spins. I'm sure not wake up my dad, though. He's resting on the couch on the other side of the living room.

I see Libby is already on AIM. Her family must've just finished eating dinner, too.

dazedreaming79: Libby!!! What's up?!

GoodByeKitty_meow: Heyyy! Stuffed! Mom made lasagna! How r u?

dazedreaming79: pretty good... we're gonna be... SENIORS... wwhhaatt?!

GoodByeKitty_meow: Yeah, but we have the whole summer to have fun.

dazedreaming79: you won't be here for half of it!!

GoodByeKitty_meow: That's not true. Let's change the subject, Drama Queen!

dazedreaming79: fine. what do you want to talk about?

GoodByeKitty_meow: What do you want to talk about?

dazedreaming79: dunno.

GoodByeKitty_meow: So. I can't believe you never brought this up yesterday or last night, but, um, CHRIS PRATT talked to you after school yesterday?!

dazedreaming79: oh yeah

GoodByeKitty_meow: OH YEAH?

dazedreaming79: sssshhh. it's not a big deal. he just wanted me to sign his yearbook. so i did. that's it.

GoodByeKitty_meow: I can't belieeeeeve you sometimes, Elle! It was a big deal! He's the captain of the football team, er, was the captain. Omg, do you know how amazing that is?

dazedreaming79: not really. he's just a guy like any other.

GoodByeKitty_meow: Well, I and the rest of the female population certainly think he's at least very very cute, soooooo

dazedreaming79: yeah, I can see that. he smells really good too

GoodByeKitty_meow: Elle, you're killing me! You are just way too cool about what happened yesterday! Chris! You! His yearbook! OMG, what did you write in it? Did he sign yours?

dazedreaming79: was already in my book bag, didn't think to ask him... i wrote a little poem in his

GoodByeKitty_meow: Really? Hehehe. Did he like it?

dazedreaming79: i guess so, he like hugged his yearbook and then smiled and gave me a sorta hug thing

GoodByeKitty_meow: Yeah! I saw that! You know what I think?

dazedreaming79: what?

GoodByeKitty_meow: He likes you!

dazedreaming79: no way

GoodByeKitty_meow: I may have been far from you two, but I can just tell these things. I could sense something. Why do you think I was so moved to dance for you?

dazedreaming79: oh well it's too late, his heart will go to some random cheerleader in the fall anyway ... why do we have to talk about him right now?

GoodByeKitty_meow: Awww, Elle! You like him, too, don't you? Because when you got in my car, you looked so sad, like a little puppy dog looking for a bone. I didn't want you to be upset more, so I just went with whatever you brought up.

dazedreaming79: even if i did like him, it wouldn't have mattered. girls like me and boys like him don't belong together

GoodByeKitty_meow: How do you know?

dazedreaming79: because i'm kinda weird (you of all people know that) and i need a guy who's kinda weird too... Chris is a great guy, but...he's kinda perfect

GoodByeKitty_meow: Say no more. I know what you mean.

dazedreaming79: so you're just gonna stay at home tonight?

GoodByeKitty_meow: Yeah. Mom has planned a family night for us. Movies. Popcorn. Scrabble.

dazedreaming79: ha ha!! y'all are obsessed with playing scrabble!!

GoodByeKitty_meow: Whatever, Elle. Remember that summer before eighth grade? You were obsessed with Monopoly and being the banker every single time!!

dazedreaming79: don't remind me

GoodByeKitty_meow: G2G! Ttyl?

dazedreaming79: yeah

GoodByeKitty_meow: Byeeeee <3

dazedreaming79: bye! <3

☮💜☮

Another awesome thing about my mom being home for the summer is all the baked goods and other treats she makes.

She often refers to summer as her time to experiment. She tries out new workouts with her girlfriends, takes classes at Continuing Ed, tries a new recipe from one of her many international cuisine cookbooks, or, my favorite, tries out a new recipe for cookies or cake or pie.

I'm still on the computer. I had been surfing the net for the past couple of hours since Libby signed off. Somehow I ended up in a chatroom for Hanson. I have no idea how I ended up there.

I can smell the sweetened cinnamon scent of something in the air... Mom, no you didn't!

I abandon the computer and hurry to the kitchen.

"What are those?" I ask as Mom is taking out a baking pan with large simmering and fragrant mounds of delight.

"These are spiced cinnamon buns with pecans. I am going to top them with a sweet cardamom icing once they've cooled off."

She passes by me and sets them on top of a kitchen towel she had already laid out on the counter.

I breathe in the smell of sugar and spice, and I think for a moment that things are going to be great this summer. I have nothing to worry about at all.

"Honey," she begins, and I have this feeling that those buns were made for more than one reason, "I have something to tell you."

My heart sinks. What does this woman have planned for me? Why must parents put it upon themselves to make plans for their kids without their kids knowing about it first?

It's cruel. It really is!

"Honey, don't look at me like that. It's not bad, really. It'll be a lot of fun, trust me."

Whoa. 'A lot of fun'. 'Trust me'? Whoa. I'm in for it.

Libby is going to leave for a month and now Mom wants me to have fun with her. I'm dying inside. Dying.

I must look like I'm dying because Mom motions me to sit next to her at the kitchen table.

"Relax, sweetie. Once I tell you, I think you'll appreciate the strings I've pulled for you!"

She sounds excited. Like how I get excited about things. I can feel my curtain of doom rise up as she continues...She had to pull strings? What has Mom done?

"Well, you know you are not 18 until October, but I have managed to get you and I into a six-week long Figure Drawing course at Continuing Ed!"

Six weeks in an art class with my mom? I don't know about this. I love her, but I haven't drawn in a few years.

"Why does it matter if I'm not 18 yet?"

"Well, there will be nude models, of course--"

"What? Mom! No way! I don't want to take that class with you!"

"Honey, the class is for serious artists that want to expand their skills. I thought you would like it. You've always been such a gifted artist, sweetie."

This is when she strokes the side of my face and places my hair behind my ear to get it out of my eyes.

"It's going to be embarrassing!" I will die. In front of a naked person. In front of my mom.

"It's all very professional. I took a class in college just like it. It was riveting! I learned so much. Also, my friend, Yolanda, do you remember her?"

"Yeah. The lady with the long curly hair who wears a lot of red?"

"Yes! She is the instructor! That's how I managed to get you in the class. She only had two spots open. I was on the phone with her last night. I think it be wonderful for us both. You've always loved Botticeli's The Birth of Venus."

She looks at me with pleading eyes. I see the sheet of cinnamon buns behind her.

"All right. I'll do it."

She gives me a great big hug and says into my ear, "You won't regret this, sweetie! Maybe you'll even want to sign up for art again at school in the fall."

"Maybe," I give her a faint smile and rest my head on top of my balled fist.

"Time to ice the buns! Want to help?"

"Sure."

My dad rouses from his post-dinner nap. His head pops up from behind the couch. His light brown hair is sticking up and his glasses are crooked on his nose.

"Are those cinnamon buns I smell?" Dad asks as he fixes his glasses and lazily strolls into the kitchen to start his Mr. Coffee.

A/N:

What's your favorite thing that your mom or dad would make//makes for desert?

So, Figure Drawing class for Elle, huh? With her Mom?
How would you react?

:D

I'd love it, personally. But I'm really into art. I'd love to see how everyone in a class draws/interprets the same image.

Anyways, you're all golden for reading this!!

Thank you!
Please vote and comment if you love any form of art!!

<3
Leanne

Song: "Naked Eye" by Luscious Jackson