The Man of the House

You wake the next morning to the delicious salty fatty smell of sizzling bacon. You rub your eyes and remember the night before, a wide grin spreads across your face. You see that you had been tucked in. At the foot of the bed was a fresh pair of navy blue pajamas laid out for you. They looked nice, old but nice. Must have been your dad's. You stretch and get up. You put on the pajamas and head down stairs.

You follow your nose and soon find yourself in the kitchen. Your mom is in a long bathrobe, she stands over the stove cooking up bacon and eggs. She also had some fresh fruit sliced on a plate nearby. She practically skips across the kitchen to greet you. She hugs you and gives you playful kiss on the lips. She straightens your collar then your shirt across your shoulders as she looks you over affectionately.

"Good morning my big man!" She beams. "Sit down, I'll get you some coffee. Or would you prefer juice?"

You slowly sit down, a bit confused by the chipper attention. "Uh...coffee is fine." You say.

She nods. "Coffee it is." She says cheerfully.

Just then Elsie walks into the kitchen. "Mmmm...bacon and eggs!" She says as she walks in, her mood seems to darken a bit for some reason when she sees you.

Your mother sets your coffee in front of you and gives Elsie a funny look. "Sorry El, I just made enough for Jesse. You can have cereal or make your own eggs if you want."

"What? Why didn't you make enough for everyone? That's not fair!" Elsie protests.

"Shush now El." Your mother scolds. "And could you load the dishwasher please."

"But it's Jesse's turn to do that." Your little sister states correctly.

You mother shakes her head. "Tsk tsk. Enough of that El. I've been thinking. Now that Jesse is all grown up...well...he's the man of the house now. He doesn't need to be bothered with household chores. He's got his studies to worry about." She gives you a loving smile.

You and Elsie look at each other, both a bit confused by your mother's behavior. Elsie finally rolls her eyes. "Man of the house? Did he try on those dresses you got him yet?"

"You shut your mouth young lady! Jesse won't be wearing any dresses." Your mother scolds her viciously. "He IS the man of the house now and you WILL show him some respect! Do you understand me!?"

Elsie didn't answer, instead she just met her mother's angry gaze with one of her own.

You felt a bit bad for Elsie, but it was also nice to have your mother so unequivocally on your side for once. You go with it, leaning back and sipping your coffee you smugly ask. "Are the eggs easy-over Mom?"

She breaks her scowl from Elsie and looks at you with a cheery smile. "Of course dear, just the way you like them." She begins assembling the breakfast on a plate. "And the bacon is nice and crispy. Do you want anything else?"

Your eyes were focused on her wide hips. "You bet I do, but we can talk about that after breakfast." You tease, your voice taking on a suggestive tone.

Your mother looks at you over her shoulder and giggles. "Oh my!" She titters. She comes over and gives you a breakfast fit for a king.

Elsie looks like she was about to get ill and leaves the room without saying another word. Things were about to change around the Bailey house, that was for sure.