Happiness

By Elizabeth Underwood

 

The lights are off and the whole house is dark except for the small amount of light oozing across the floor from the streetlight located outside my small town home.  The cat stretches lazily and blinks at me agitatedly.  I can tell she’s annoyed I woke her up and I give her a quick pet before she can meow and wake my mother up.  The dog is snoring on the top landing of the stairs, the echo slowly drifts down to me and I can faintly hear my mother’s soft snores from her room telling me she will not wake easily tonight.  Perfect. 

I step lightly and slowly towards the kitchen, careful to avoid the one squeaky floorboard next to the dining room table.  There is more pale light in the kitchen since the streetlight is right outside the window.  I glance back at the cat, her glowing green eyes still glaring at me.  I smirk back at her and throw a wink.  She can tell I’m up to no good at this late hour.  I take a quick step into the kitchen, and my goal is finally in sight.  I open the fridge door slowly to avoid the usual creak and look for IT.  It is the quintessence of all happiness:  the last slice of Sara Lee strawberry cheesecake.

 

 

 

Happy

 

By Elizabeth Underwood

 

Hope this doesn’t sound too sappy,

But what really makes me happy

“Tomb Raiding” with my brother,

Cookies baked by my mother

Working with my sister in the mall,

The first grand snow of fall

My nephew’s big smiles,

Driving with no cops for miles

Cuddled and warm in my bed,

When the cat is happy and fed

Simple things keep my happy,

And sorry, this did turn out sappy.