Zapped

Mama had turned to make the bed. She told me not to touch the lamp. My sister Jan had left it behind when she moved over to Uncle Jack's house in Atlanta. The lamp didn't have a bulb in it, but it was still plugged in for some reason.

I figured that this was probably a sign to go forward and touch the lamp as soon as possible. You see, Mama had just recently told me that I was not to touch a can of Chocolate Metracal Diet Drink that my sister - in - law had left in the refrigerator. She said that it was grownup medicine, not for kids.

Of course I had sneaked a taste of Metracal at the first opportunity, and it was just fine to me, even if it was a might thin, more like a watery YooHoo than the thick Chocolate Milk that it appeared to be.

I reasoned that if Mama said that Metracal was bad and it turned out to be somewhat good, then sticking my finger in a light socket, which my Mama also said would be bad, would in fact be good also, maybe even better.

The feeling was like a thousand pins sticking repeatedly into my finger. I recoiled, too shocked to say anything. I remember feeling that my lips were vibrating, of all things. There must have been an audible buzz or something. I will never forget my Mama turning to look my way, her face inquisitive, staring at me.

The look lasted for a few seconds. As my face dissolved from disbelief into tears, I could hear her saying "Goody, Goody! I told you, didn't I? Have you learned your lesson?".

My first impulse was a flush of anger. I was mad that I had been shocked, but even madder that Mama was so right. Looking back, I can apply the exact words that gave vent to my feelings. They seem comical now, would have not been near so funny had they been uttered that day.

At any rate, it was a lesson learned.