A Story by Foofoo

I didn’t remember telling anybody about the application, but in this apartment building--- news spreads like jam on bread.
“Here’s the letter I got today.” I said, handing the envelope to Mrs. Ellelai. Scanning the letter quickly, she smiled.
“Congratulations Rena. Have some cookies.”
“Thanks, Mrs. Ellelai!”
Everyone in the apartment building knew that Mrs. Ellelai’s baking was the best. I sat down on one of the wooden chairs, the whole apartment smelled like cake and frosting---wonderful and warm. Mrs. Ellelai brought a plate stacked with three cookies and a glass of cold milk and set it down on the table. She sat down opposite me with a cup of hot tea. Slowly sipping the brown steaming liquid, she asked:“When are you starting work?”
“On the third.” I replied, and then bit into a cookie. The cookie was so moist and sweet and peanut buttery and sort of salty and chewy and...just good! I downed the glass of milk quickly.
“Oh noooo….” I moaned.
“What’s wrong?” Mrs. Ellelai asked in a worried tone.
“I just remembered that Mom told me to do the dishes. We’re having guests over.”
“Oh. Would you like me to pack the cookies for you?”
“Thank you so much.”
After Mrs. Ellelai packed up the cookies, I dashed up the stairs to the sixth floor. Entering the kitchen, I almost had a heart attack.
The sink was a mess. There were plates coated with the remnants of today’s breakfast and yesterday’s dinner. Jam and maple syrup were crusting on plates. Soggy cereal emitted a horrifying scent, reminiscent of molding cheese and week old laundry. Potato peels were strewn about, as if they were confetti. Some even lay on the floor. Glasses filled with strange concoctions of soda, dirty dish water, tea and milk towered high on the counter tops. A pot filled with water and what looked like slime was tipped over onto the counter. How was I to wash dishes that were as dirty as this?
I reached for the slimy pot and turned on the sink.
Big mistake.
Water flooded onto the countertops and sinks. A smell like rotting rat was hanging in the air. That for sure meant that using the sink was not possible. Holding the slime coated pot, I ran to the bathroom, hoping that the vile liquid inside would not spill on the carpeting.Safe. I reached the tub without spilling a drop. I sighed with relief, then got to business.After about what seemed like three hours, all the pots, pans, plates, bowls, and spoons were in the dishwasher or stored safely on the shelves; my arms ached. But, there were still the kitchen countertops to clean. And they were a mess.That took about another hour. While I was cleaning, I wondered: why didn’t I just be a maid, instead of an illustrator, since I seem to be pretty good at that. Of course I didn’t mean it, though I did seem to have all the qualifications (washing dishes, vacuuming, sweeping, cooking, polishing, laundry, and babysitting.). The career of my choice would have rather been a detective (move over Nancy Drew!)
After the countertops sparkled like water reflecting off ocean water, I felt my job was done here. I hurried to my parents’ room.
I found my mother sitting at the cramped little corner desk, working on the computer.
“Done!” I announced, like a little kid who finished eating a serving of mac’n’cheese. “Who’s coming over, anyways?”
“Oh, I invited that one friend of yours and her family. What was her name again...Penny.” She replied, still typing furiously and keeping her eyes on the monitor.
“Oh.” I said, letting the fact sink in that one of the most obnoxious girls would be at my house for hours. I left the room, thinking about what I could do.
I could not lock myself up in my room, there was no lock (and it would be really mean. Anyways, Penny would talk to me through the door, as if it wasn’t there.) I didn't have much hope.

*applause* Great job, Foofoo! I just made a few slight spelling, punctuation, and minor itty-bitty changes. Wow! I love the "like a little kid who just finished a serving of mac 'n cheese". Fabulous. Well, post more later!!!