Trees & Huskies
prompt: Henley deciding where she goes to college. Hope and KO trying to persuade her to go to their Alma Maters
***
// Hope frowns at the pile of laundry before her. Picking up one of the many red pieces of fabric in front of her, she begins to fold it grudgingly. She mutters, Our laundry looks like the Stanford bookstore.
// Kelley, from her place on the couch, looked up from her phone. Raising an eyebrow, she replies nonchalantly, Well, what do you expect?
// Hope shrugs, placing another folded item to the side. I’m just saying it might be nice to even out all this red with some purple and gold… Hope sifts through the laundry and pulls out another red tee, Like look at this for example. Is it really necessary for Henley to have two of the same Stanford soccer tees? No, it is not.
// Henley stops her homework to lift her head to see what her mother was referring to. Casually, she responds, Actually it is, Mommy. I’m going to college at Stanford.
// Hope immediately drops the clothing item in her hand and looks back and forth between Kelley and Henley in disbelief. Since when did we decide Henley’s going to Stanford?
// Kelley smirks to herself and allows Henley to answer. It’s always been that way, right Momma? Stanford is the best! That’s why I have to do really well on my homework and be the best goalkeeper on my team so that I can go to Stanford.
// At this point, Hope looks deeply offended. Narrowing her eyes, she points out, Henley, you’re ten years old. College should be the least of your worries.
// Kelley shoots her a look, knowing that Hope’s just bitter that their daughter had chosen her alma mater. She shrugs, I personally think we should be very proud of Henley for looking so far ahead into her future.
// Henley grins widely and Hope rolls her eyes. She mutters to herself, University of Washington didn’t even get a chance… Finishing folding the pile of laundry, Hope stands up with the basket in hand, ready to put it away. But before leaving, her face lights up and she addresses Henley, Hey Freckles, what’s the Stanford mascot?
// Kelley frowns at her, knowing that Hope knew the answer perfectly well. Henley looks up from her homework for the second time and replies, A tree.
// Hope purses her lips, a twinkle in her eye. Mischief laced in her voice, Hmm…I don’t know…if I had to choose a college, I’d want one with a pretty cool mascot. Henley, do you know what the UW mascot is? Henley shakes her head no. Hope is baffled. We literally live in Seattle. How do you not know what the main university’s…never mind. It’s a husky.
// A husky? Henley’s eyes widen as Kelley’s eyes narrow, shooting Hope a dirty glare. Looking at Kelley directly, Henley innocently asks, Momma, what’s a husky? Kelley tries to play it down. Some sort of dog.
// Hope is deeply offended once again. Not just any dog- huskies are really strong and super fast, compared to a tree, of course… Hope throws her hair over shoulder, finally exiting the living room with the basket of laundry and letting that thought sink in. She smiles when she hears Henley’s voice echoing from down the hall.
// Momma, I think I change my mind.