Making the Bed

My mom and I were drinking tea at my kitchen table when we heard Queen Teen yell, "Argh!"

My mom looked up at me, her eyebrows raised in concern. I kept sipping my tea.

"This is impossible!" Queen Teen yelled.

We heard what sounded like a heavy book being hurled against the wall, then another "Argh!" from Queen Teen.

My mom set her cup down and looked in the direction of Queen Teen's room.

I kept sipping my tea.

"How can I do this if my stupid ataxia won't go away?" Queen Teen shouted.

My mom looked back at me. "Is she okay?"

I nodded. "Yes. She's fine."

There was another loud bang, and then more shouting from Queen Teen. If she knew any swear words she'd be swearing like a sailor denied shore-leave.

"What is she doing?" my mom asked.

"Making her bed."

Queen Teen yelled, "The stupid blankets won't stay up!"

My mom raised her eyebrows. "Making her bed?"

"Yep." I kept sipping my tea.

"Sounds awfully loud. Does she need help?"

"Nope."

My mom looked back toward the bedroom where the sounds of Queen Teen struggling with her bed grew louder. "Are you sure?"

"Yep."

Queen Teen yelled, "Where did my pillow go?"

My mom glanced back at me then picked up her cup and quietly drank her tea, but her entire body stayed tense as she listened to the shouts and banging from Queen Teen.

After several more minutes of complaints, shouts and struggle, Queen Teen yelled, "Mom, I made my bed."

I took another sip of tea, set my cup down, and walked to her bedroom. My mom quickly followed.

Queen Teen stood beside her newly made bed. "See. I made my bed."

"Good job, honey," I said.

"Can you help me pull up the blanket. It's touching the floor."

"Sure." I reached under the comforter and pulled the blanket up flat on the bed, then smoothed it neatly. "Great job," I said as I gave Queen Teen a hug.

Queen Teen's face was flushed and she wiped her brow. "Whew. I need a drink."

As the three of us headed to the kitchen, my mom asked, "Is making the bed always so loud?"

"Yep," I said.