Just 18 Summers

by Rene Gutteridge

Beth wiped her hands and turned, leaning against the sink. “I don’t know. I’m crying a lot lately. It turns out that Robin is getting married and she doesn’t even know how to make an omelet.” “Oh, congratulations.” Daphne blinked. “Is that a requirement? The omelet?” “She’s not prepared for this world. I haven’t done my job. Any decent mother shows her daughter how to cook. It’s part of the deal. You teach them to shave their legs, pluck their eyebrows, and make an omelet.” Daphne looked frightened as her gaze roamed over the ingredients on the counter. “Well, Robin is really smart, you know. Savvy. You’ve taught her a lot of things. She goes to church, she helps at the food pantry . . .” “I haven’t done anything for her. She can’t sew on a button. She can’t iron a shirt.” Beth covered her mouth. Another sob was about to escape. “She can’t hem, Daphne! And I know it sounds like I just stepped out of 1950, but she has no idea what to do as a wife.”