A Mother's Day Breakfast: When I was 7 years old...I decided that my Mom deserved the best Mother's Day Present that I could get or do for her. With no money, no real artistic skills (she had already gotten the Crayon on Construction Paper Card I had made in 1st Grade), the only thing left was to make her Breakfast in Bed.
My brother was still sleeping and my father had gone out to get the Sunday Paper and some flowers. I told my mom that I was going to surprise her for "her" day. She had to stay in bed. Now the only appliance I was allowed and knew how to operate was the toaster. I got out the Wonder White Bread took two slices. After sliding the toaster away from the wall a bit on the counter, I gingerly placed the two slices of bread into the slots and plunked down the lever. Soon my mom would be enjoying the toast that I had made for her. I went to the refrigerator and took out the butter tray and began looking for some jam or jelly. I moved jars around...looked behind the milk...in the crispers...no jelly. I remembered though that I had seen some jelly in the cupboard in the bathroom. I thought nothing of it being there...jelly and jam was usually in the cupboard or refrigerator. I got the jelly from the bathroom and waited for the toast to finish. "Pachunk." The toast popped up and was ready. I quickly pinched the toast between two fingers and dropped them onto the plate. I quickly buttered the toast and opened the jelly. I wasn't sure what flavor it was. I couldn't recognize the name on the jar..."P-E-T-R-O-L-E-U-M Jelly!" I said aloud. I spread the jelly onto the buttered toast...not too thick or thin...I knew how to make good toast. I picked up the plate with toast and walked slowly towards my mom's bedroom. I called out to her..."Close your eyes! Your surprise is here!"
I entered the bedroom with the toast and I saw my mother grinning with her eyes closed. I placed the plate on her belly. "Open your mouth Mom!" She did. I picked up a piece of toast and moved it to her mouth. She knew it was toast...and took a big bite. That's when she gagged...over and over again. I wasn't allowed to make any more toast for anyone else but me after that.
