Morning Sounds

Gussie: Mom, I can’t even pronounce the scientific names for walrus or elephant seal. Can you say them for me?

Me: (hesitates. reads slowly.) Odobenus rosmarus? Mirounga angustirostris?

Me: Are you remembering to eat while looking at your book? Your plate is far away from you.

chair shifts. plate scoots. pages rustle.

chewing. smacking. swallowing.

Gussie: Ahem! Come here, I want to show you something.

chair squeaks. traipsing footsteps

Gussie: (fingers tracing.) Look, Europe touches Africa!

traipsing footsteps. chair sighs.

sniffling, slurping, gulping.

pen scratches. murmurs.

Gussie: The walrus’ scientific name means tooth-walking seahorse.

more pen scratches and murmurs.

Gussie: Mom, are you writing a story about me?

Me: Sort of. I’m jotting down all the sounds I’m hearing.

Gussie: Like “crash!”

Me: Uh-huh.

Gussie: Mom, what about laughing?

Me: Uh-huh.

Gussie: And uh-huhing?

giggling. laughter.

Gussie: And chewing?

Me: What’s the sound for chewing?

Gussie: Nom! nom! nom!

more laughter.