Part5-We left off going to the Movies. On our way home there was an inevitable stop at a Korean all night deli to buy Ben and Jerry's, milk and probably some fruit. Since it's summer I will be rising around noon to find Ammba eating cereal, watching T.V. and Tammy coming home from yoga class. I'm headed for the coffee machine and to idiotically announce my intentions to shower in front of 2 women. What was I thinking? The shower skit goes something like this: I stretch, yawn and say "I'm going to hop in the shower. What do we have to eat?" Ammba chides in "Well, one thing we sure don't have is any ice cream or cookies for that matter. " Looking up at an angle she tilts her head and places her right index finger on her cheek while folding her other arm beneath her elbow for support and asks "I wonder what happened to them Papi? Do you have any clue as to where they might have gone?" Feigning innocence I rub my face slowly with my hand stopping on my chin and say "Why no little one . It does appear to be a mystery? Tammy do you know where they might have gotten off to? Starting to strip off her wet clothes she waves her one free hand saying " Oh no you don't! I'm not getting dragged into this again. You know full well my position on the copious consumption of junk 24 hrs. a day. So please spare me the daily unrefined sugar-drama. Between the both of you there is no end to the amount of crap that's eaten around here." Ammba and I both cringe in the wake of what is sure to be a whole grain lecture of the first order. It's as if mother earth herself has infused her with righteous indigestion. The organic tirade begins, "It's one thing if you choose to ignore and deny the laws of basic nutrition, it's another when you campaign to undermine your own daughters health under the auspices of fun and games." Starting to feel the crippling weight of the truth I begin to realize the unfair position I've placed Tammy in. Ammba in a misguided effort to defend me says " Papi bought Clementines and their healthy." Now fearing the dam about to break I frantically begin to offer remedies like the little Dutch girl does fingers in the dyke. I say "Tammy you're right I am being childishly irresponsible. Ammba honestly we should make a better effort to eat healthier." Grinning slyly Tammy goes to a bag she brought from the farmers market. Holding it up as a waitress would she smiles, winks and says " Scones, carrot cake or cookies anyone? They're homemade and oh oh soo healthy and delicious." Suddenly realizing she just played us like Bob Dylan on the harmonica we charge and tackle her to the ground for a little tickle retribution. The coffees ready and Tammy escapes to be the first one in the shower. Ammba goes for the cookies and a Clementine to balance out her diet. I sip my espresso counting my blessings to be part of something so real and beautiful. As Tammy is blow drying her hair Ammba and I conspire to opt out of bathing for that day. The nuts and bolts of getting ready for our outing out of the way we begin to slim Ammba's travel gear down to something a bit more manageable. This act begins with Tammy gently suggesting "Ammba dear, I don't think it's such a great idea to bring your groovy girls, nitendo DS and god knows what else you have in that back pack. You're going to lose it and then be really upset."She responds with a whine "I get bored going to the museum. We went yesterday. Why do we have to go again today? When are we going to Toy's R Us? " Looking for a little back up, Tammy looks to me. I take a big breath and say " O.k., Let's be fair and think this through before we make any decisions. Ammba, Papa Ulos is going so he can spend some time with you and share something special. Remember last summer we went to see the mythical beasts?" Ammba's furrowed brow begins to relax and says "Yeah, He even like the dragons and all the other monsters. But what about Toys R Us?" I say "Have you gone every year so far?" Ammba nods saying "Yeah, but..." Index finger on my temple I jump in with " Hmm, I wonder if Papa Ulos is home saying "Karen, Do we really have to go to the Natural History Museum? Wouldn't Ammba like to see a 5 hour German opera just a much?" Ammba leaping off the couch waving her finger says "Unh uh, I know Papa Ulos isn't saying that he loves the museum. Especially with me , he said so. Hmpf!" She crosses he arms in emphasis. Unloading her backpack to the barest essentials she repacks and stands ready by the door. Tammy who is reading her yoga journal looks up and says "Are we ready ready or just ready?" In unison we all say "Ready ready" So it's out he door, to the elevator, down to the lobby a quick gab with the dooorman. One of us always needs to go back upstairs for something and then it's off to the subway. Facing 10th st. I say " So anyone remember how to get to the Museum of Natural History?" Ammba smiles and says "Taxi?" I say " Sure if you want it to come out of your Toy money" Ammba smiles and in a Ricky imitation throws her arms back juts out her chest says "Uh.. I Don't think so buckeroo! It can come out of your book money how about that?" Tammy still thinking about how to get there says "Union Square to the #6?" I shrug and start to walk saying " If you say so lead on." Grabbing my arm and coquetly flirting with me in a little girls voice says "I'm just guessing, is that right?" Narrowing my eyes and pushing my lips out I smirk and say " Nice try cutie pie, but no banana." Ammba yells "Eeeyooo bananas gross!!" I say "It aint no skin off my nose. You guys are leading I'm just along for the ride. I will give you a hint." In chorus arms spread and mouths open eyes bulge "Well Einstein what?" I am thrilled with this answer because written on the wall of the subway station itself is:
| “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.” |
| —Albert Einstein |
You'll see from the art work it's hard to miss. So we walk down 6th ave to the W4th st. station and wait for the "C" train to take us to ???????? That's right 81rst st. That's it for tonight folks goodnight. Jody
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