SC: The Sink

She stared up at it, fascinated. It looked so impossibly tall; she could just barely make out a stream of water coming out of what seemed to be a sprout. She didn't know what it was - all she knew was that somehow the dishes leftover from dinner – still crusted with her unfinished lasagna – went in, and came out all shiny and clean again.

***

“Yes, add some soap here… now scrub! Yes, be sure to scrub the entire plate, honey. That’s how it’ll all get cleaned. Great job – you’ve just washed your first plate!” She could hardly reach over the countertop and into the sink, and already she had to wash the dishes. Then again, mother did break her back, and dad…

***

She turned the hot water tap all the way. Scalding water rushed out, burning her hands as she reached for a plate. Plate, bowl, spoon. Plate, bowl, spoon. It was the only way to drown out the screaming in the background.

***

“Now that we are a two-person household, it is time to establish some responsibilities. We can alternate between doing dishes each week.” She opened her mouth to argue, but her mom’s tired face forced it closed immediately. Instead, she nodded, silent. Her mother had been a happy woman once… now her lips pulled down slightly at the corners. Helping out with chores was the least she could do.

***

"Don’t forget to eat your vegetables! Oh, and get your eight hours of sleep each night – you won’t regret it.”
“Mom… I’ll be fine!”
“Oh sweetheart,” her mom sobbed into her shoulder, “My daughter’s all grown up now! What am I going to do without you?”
It hurt her to leave her mother alone in the house while she went off, a thousand miles away. Her mom had sacrificed everything for her. And now, she was doing it again.
She walked through the house one the last time. Wandering into the kitchen, she saw the once-beautiful, metallic sink that was now chipped and rusty. With a start, she realized that now, she was the taller one.