Kitchen Skies

Small feet skid and slide across the gritty wooden floor. The grumbling of stomachs echoes throughout the house. The small group struggles to fit through the large wooden doorframe. Finally after some squeaks and pushes are exchanged, they are all in the large L-shaped kitchen. A marathon starts. Who can get across the dull tiles first? Then they are off. Someone slips, a skirt is ripped. But it doesn't matter, because now, the yellowing door of the refrigerator looms above them. They take their turn jumping and climbing, trying to grasp the handle that was at least 10 feet above them. Finally, they reach it. Light fills the room, and the smell of stew and day-old cake follows it. Hands reach forward, grabbing whatever they can. Skirts are filled, arms and hands are full of the delicious treasure. But there is something missing. Only one girl knows. She looks straight up at the monstrous box and spots what she is missing from her stash. A light blue jar labeled "Sweets" sits atop the small wooden shelf. It is mission impossible, but she goes for it. She runs out of the room, ignoring the crunching sounds coming from behind her. When she returns, a chair is dragged behind her. It is placed below the marble counter, and then ruby-red slippers step on the seat. Her arm reaches out for the little piece of glass colored sky. Her fingers touch the smooth surface of the jar, then she is looking up at the ceiling. A numb pain radiates from the back of her head. A small trickle of warm liquid follows the blow. Her hands are still reaching out. They are empty. Just like her rumbling stomach.