Just Humming Along

He whistled loudly as they approached the grocery store.

“What song are you whistling, Daddy?” H- begged.

“My Favorite Things,” he answered.

“Oh,” she said, not familiar with the tune.

“All aboard!” he called, signaling it was time for her to hop on the front of the cart if she was going to.

He watched and heard her begin an open mouth hum as she attempted to demonstrate her own Christmas spirit notwithstanding a deficit in whistling ability. Chuckling, he pushed the cart into the store and began searching for beautiful women whom he could make smile with the assistance of his little helper.

“I said humming to town,” H- said, laughing innocently as congestion in the baking aisle halted their progress.

“What’s that?” he asked.

H- then proceeded to hum the chorus of Santa Claus Is Coming To Town. Afterward she again giggled and said, “I said humming!”

Squinting and with a cocked head, he looked at her in disbelief and thought, “Surely she knows when she hums no one hears the words?”

“Oh yeah?” he quickly said before the moment passed.

Progressing now to the cereal aisle, another repeat of the chorus was followed by, “That time I said coming.” More humming and another laughing explanation. “I said humming again!”

“Man, I can’t believe they don’t have any corn flakes.”

“Santa is probably humming to the reindeer as they pull his sleigh,” she said thoughtfully, unconcerned with the moment’s dilemma.

“What?” he asked, rising from the crouched position where he had just verified the awful truth that he’d have to get creative to make the cookies.

“I said,” she labored, “Santa is probably humming to the reindeer.”

“A wordsmith is born,” he thought smiling, unable to hide his pride.

13 comments

  2. Elliani

    Pete, you have one smart cookie on your hands. Look at all the connections she’s making in that sweet young brain of hers. I loved how you followed her thoughts from one to another. Truly a delightful story…and an even more delightful child.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Pete Deakon

      Thanks. I often worry that she’ll someday stop providing good material for this blog, but right about when that thought starts to take hold, something like this happens. Ha. A delight is definitely what she is.

      Pete

      Like

      Reply
  3. Crystal Ann

    What a great story! You really helped me to picture the interaction with your descriptive writing. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
    Also, thanks for stopping by my blog! I appreciate it.
    Blessings to you,
    Crystal

    Like

    Reply
  6. Pingback: Sharing work on the last Monday of the year | The Write Edge Writing Workshop

Leave a comment