Joan is peeling potatoes at the kitchen table while Mother Dowling is mopping the floor around her.
“Joanie, we’re going to have to move this table. That half domesticated husband of yours spills more food on my floor than he gets in his mouth. There is sticky beet juice all over.”
“Alright Mother. Do you want the heavy end or the light end?”
“What are you going on about, Joan? Both ends of the table weigh the same.”
“Not if my bowl of peeled potatoes is on one end, Mother!”
Mother Dowling picks up the bowl and puts it on the counter. “Take any end you like, dear, and I’ll take the other.”
Joan picks up an end of the table with both hands. Mother Dowling picks up the other end with just one hand. Clayton stumbles into the kitchen and goes to the sink to wash his hands.
“Mother, you’re making my end heavier when you just lift with one arm.”
“That’s nonsense, Joanie. What difference could it possibly make as long as I’m lifting my end?”
Clayton turns around midwash to listen in on the discussion. “Joanie’s right, Mother Dowling. You’re just lifting half of your side.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Clayton. I’m lifting my whole end!”
“Nope. You can’t be. One whole arm is going unused. I’m a mechanic. I know these scientific things.”
Joanie looks vindicated. “See Mother, I told you. You never listen to me.”
Clayton dries his hands, comes over and takes a corner on Mother Dowling’s side. “There you go, Joanie. That should lighten things up for you.”
Joanie beams. “That’s much better Clayton. Thank you!” And they walk the table in to the next room. Mrs. Dowling rolls her eyes.
“I stand vindicated. I don’t which one of you is smarter than the other one.”
