Tea With Rose A story for the whole family, by Erin Sankey “Hey, Mama, may I ask you something?” sixteen-year-old Blake said, sitting down. “Yes, baby, what is it?” his mom asked as she washed dishes. “Every Wednesday when I walk home from school, I see this old lady sitting at a table drinking tea and eating cake over at the factory.” “And?” his mom asked. “Well, I don't know. She just looks so lonely.” Blake's mom wiped her hands on her apron and sat at the kitchen table with him. “Does she look lost?” Blake thought for a moment. “Nope. As a matter of fact, she looks like a tough old bird.” “Good for her,” Blake's mom said thoughtfully. “You should go and talk to her,” she said, cracking a smile. “What's the worst that can happen? She tells you to go away. Be confident, introduce yourself, tell her your name and what school you go to. You just might be surprised.” Blake sat back in the chair. He nodded. “Yeah, I guess I could do that.”
The old lady put down the paper and looked at him. “What can I do for you, son?” she asked warmly.
Wednesday:
“I thought I could offer you some company. You look lonely out here all by yourself.”
Blake took a deep breath as he started his walk home. The knots in his stomach tightened as he approached the factory. As he stopped at the fence and looked at the old lady, his palms began to sweat. The old lady was in the factory yard, drinking hot tea, smoking a cigarillo, eating cake and reading the paper, just like she always did every Wednesday. Blake followed the fence up to the gate and walked in. His heart was racing. He waited for guard dogs to run up on him or a security guard to chase him off, but none of that came as he approached the old woman. “Hi, ma'am. My name is Blake, Blake Rutherford,” he said in a shaky voice. “I go to Washington High just down the street here.”
The old lady pointed to another chair. “Pull up that chair over there, sit your keister down, and have some tea,” she said happily, pouring him a steamy cup of tea. “The name’s Rose, Rose Munger. Would ‘ja like some cake?” she asked. All his fears went away, his sweaty palms dried up and his heart stopped racing as he took his seat. “Um, yes ma'am, that sounds nice,” Blake said picking up the cup and blowing on the tea. She pulled a plate of goodies from out a basket and placed it in front of him. “Here, take as many as you’d like.” “Thank you, ma'am,” he said, taking a crumpet. “So, I look lonely to you, huh?” Rose asked, taking a drag of her cigarillo.
