There was a moment of uncertainty as I stood at 3157 Antler Avenue. I paused before my finger depressed the door bell. I could hear children inside, children in a tremendous uproar. I slid to the window cupping my hand to peer within. It was a rude gesture, but I wanted a preview of what I was stepping into.

A young boy with blond hair was jumping up and down on the sofa cushion. His thick hair resembled a toy troll as he bounced. He was screaming a song at the top of his lungs. His squeal was obnoxious, ear piercing, annoying.

A girl maybe a few years older was sitting in a chair that was missing cushions. She had a television remote and kept changing channel after channel. The volume was up full blast to counter act the screaming boy.

The room was full of clutter. Toys were strewn about in every direction. Blocks were scattered around mixing in with cereal boxes of which crumbs were ground into the rug. Papers, paints, glue, clothes, the room was totally trashed.

I stepped away from the door and gazed down the street. A group of kids were jumping rope along the sidewalk mid block. I was amazed that they were using two ropes. The girl in the center moved with such a rhythm, her feet touched the pavement in a flutter. "Hummingbird feet." I whispered to myself. A girl that was in line waiting her turn, noticed me then ran in my direction.

"My mother is home." She said hurrying up the stairs taking two at a time.

"She’s not feeling well. She was in an accident yesterday."

"Hi." I said, extending my hand. "I’m Jeanne Wishgiven. I was sent here to help your mother."

The girl eyed me, then grinned. "I’m Penny. I suppose you’re the lady grandma hired to help mom."

I didn’t answer, allowing her to assume the reason for my presence. I followed her into the home.

"Travis! Grace! I can’t leave for ten minutes to have fun! LOOK what you did here. Mom said you were to behave yourselves."

The boy paused in his screaming only to continue using the cushion as a trampoline. The girl clicked the television off completely.

"I’m sorry about the mess here. The baby sitter that mom uses when she has to go downtown, quit yesterday after mom returned late ‘cause of the injury. She said she couldn’t deal with us devil children a minute longer."

I smiled politely.

"You’d better bring in your bag and purse." Penny said. I turned to the open door and gazed behind. A large luggage and matching purse were positioned neatly on the front stoop. Magic I thought as I realized I was wearing denims and a tee shirt. Comfortable shoes were bound on my feet, a weightless high-top shoe laced with strings white and wide.

I hurried to the door and lugged the bags inside.

"I guess you’ll be living with us a while then?" Penny asked as Gracie picked up a handful of Cherios and flung them at her brother.

He shrieked rather loudly and the girl stuck out her tongue at him.

"Knock it off, the both of you!" Penny screamed, her voice cracking from the volume.

"I suppose I’ll be staying as long as I’m needed." I whispered as Penny grabbed the smaller of my bags.

"You can use mom’s office down here for your room." I followed Penny to a small doorway, the entrance cut beneath the staircase that was leading upstairs.

She pulled a key from a hook and unlocked the door. In contrast to the rest of the house, the office was organized and spotless.

"The sofa over there pulls out into a guest bed. This is where grandma sleeps when she visits from Florida."

"This will do nicely." I said.

"The kids are not allowed in here. This is mom’s sanctuary. She writes, you know."

"I didn’t know that." I answered.

"Well she does. She hasn’t made any money at it yet, but she says it’s cheaper than a vacation."

I chuckled at how serious Penny appeared for not being much older than eight.

"Can I ask what happened to your father?"

Penny nodded. "Mom says he was a skirt chaser so she was forced to divorce him. He’s livin’ with the Eskimo’s now in Alaska."

"I see." I managed placing my bag on the floor.

Penny led me upstairs and I had to step over mountains of things along the way. A plastic doll house toppled on its side, clothes that seemed to trickle from open drawers in the bedrooms, small wooden logs with square notches, miniature cars in every direction.

Penny stood at the doorway to the end of the hall. She tapped several times.

"Mom? Mom?" She called.

"Yeah Penny what do you need? Are your brother and sister killing each other again? Tell them to behave and let me sleep okay?" Irene said with a tortured voice.

"No mom, there’s a woman here." Silence from the other side of the door.

Penny knocked, this time with full force.

"She’s on some medicine that makes her sleep."

"Let her rest then. We’ll check on her later, okay?"

Penny turned and I followed matching her footsteps while walking through the hallway of chaos.

Once downstairs, she led me through the kitchen. Every dish was dirty and piled on the counters, table and stovetop. The ice box was slightly ajar and when I stepped over to close it, a doll head rolled to the floor from one of the shelves.

It then struck me as odd how quiet the other two children were from the next room. When I gazed in that direction, they were standing in the doorway watching us with interest. The boy’s chin was a map of sticky food and the girl had two single lines of chocolate streaming from the corners of her mouth.

From the back yard, a deep bark echoed. Penny hurried to the window and gazed out. "That’s our dog Sandman, he’s a bit of a mutt." She said as her eyes softened with love.

Grace finally spoke. "We call him Sandman ‘cause he watches us while we sleep, just like the sandman does."

Penny narrowed her gaze toward her brother. "Maybe you can help me later. Travis over there took mom’s comb and twirled it in Sandman’s tail. I couldn’t get it out....."

"I was jus’ tryin’ to help." Travis said abashed, his line of gaze falling to his feet.

I felt overwhelmed and didn’t quite know where to begin. "Suppose we get things straightened out before I start dinner."

All three children gazed at one another then began to laugh.

"What?" I asked, not understanding.

"We’re out of food. Yesterday mom was supposed to stop at the grocery store after work. Then she had the accident."

"What have you been eating?" I asked with concern.

"Just stuff we had around, mostly candy." Penny admitted.

"Well, we’ll have to have some groceries delivered." I said recalling the general store that delivered to my parent’s home decades ago.

"Deliver?" Penny asked. "I’ve never heard of that around here. If we want groceries we’ll have to go to the store."

"Okay." I said. "Well, let’s get this house in order first."

"Travis, Grace, you go into the sitting room and put the toys in various piles. Blocks in one, dolls, and the rest in another."

Both children eyed one another then took off running. Penny began to laugh. "I see you have as much luck in making them help as I do. They went to hide upstairs in their rooms."

"How about you, would you mind pitching in?" I asked.

"Yeah, maybe next year!" Penny said running off along the same path as her brother and sister.

I lifted a pan from the stove and studied the noodles and cheese-like mess. "Yuck." I said slamming it back in place.

"Well, since this is my fault, I’ll just have to dig in." I said imagining Granny laughing at my situation from the viewing room in dimension B.

I hurried from the kitchen to the sitting room. I untied a stuffed animal from the drapery line and threw it on the floor. I then opened the curtains allowing the evening sun to transform the room. Tears began to stream down my human cheeks.

"I honestly don’t know where to begin." I said.

I plopped down on the sofa only to feel something sticky rub against my elbow. A half eaten lolli-pop slid downwards with clusters of dog hair attached.

Standing, I shuffled into the kitchen and peered into the space below the sink. I found a stack of brown paper bags and I carried them along with me back to the sitting room. Trying to maintain a strong stomach, I threw anything resembling garbage into bag one. This included half eaten sandwiches from days past, empty soda cans, Cheerio’s, papers, chunks of colorful wax pencils, and various dried flowers.

Into bag two went all toys that were still usable. Bag three was designated toys that were to be thrown away. In a systematic way, I worked my path across the room until finally I entered the kitchen, the land of doom. My gaze kept peering back into the now organized sitting room. If I stayed three years, the house would never be clean. Beneath the chaos was dirt. Beneath the dirt was more dirt. Layer upon layers of neglect. This poor unfortunate woman was obviously doing everything on her own and it was too much.

I placed a picture in my mind, the ultimate clean, Stan’s home. "Yes, think happy thoughts, clean thoughts....."

I couldn’t help but wonder how long it would take someone like Stan to clean up such a mess. No, I needed a team of Stan’s working overtime for two days straight. If only I could use some magic. It wasn’t happening though, in this human form, my powers seemed to be lacking.

I removed dishes from both compartments of the kitchen sink. I found some liquid soap in the small closet around the corner along the hallway. I squirted some soap within the first tub. A cavity of bubbles appeared and the aroma was rather pleasant.

One plate took ten minutes to clean. Food had crystallized and melded within the plate itself. "Oh why bother?" I managed half tempted to throw out every pot, pan and dish.

Instinctively, I lifted my hands towards the ceiling. "ENOUGH!" I shouted as I began to twirl in a circular motion. Whoosh, I heard as my eardrums popped. Little flickers of light resembling stars appeared throughout the room.

The particles settled on the ceiling at a center point above me. As I continued to spin, the points began to disperse, leaving everything along its path renewed. The magic worked like a cleaning foam, following the square of the walls then downward. Cabinets flew open, the upper freezer swung on it’s hinges, the refrigerator door sprang alive. As exhausting as it was, I continued to turn. My breathing became strained as if I were running a great distance.

Magic covered everything in a streaming path to the floor. Garbage dissolved and added to the cleaning energy. Once the flickers hit the tile floor, they slithered along in a S pattern and reinserted themselves within me through my shoes. In that moment I ceased my tornado impression.

Out of breath, I was suddenly rejuvenated. I gazed at my skin and it was glowing with power.

"Chaos be gone!" I commanded as clean dishes still remained in their original position. "Well, it was worth a try anyway." I said to myself chuckling. I then proceeded to put every clean item in a resting spot within the open cabinets.

Once I finished the task in the kitchen, I moved into the sitting room and began my spin.

For some odd reason I couldn’t release the energy. I twisted and turned throwing my hands, pointing my fingers, configuring patterns and various stances. The flecks of clean would not be released. "Maybe I need a recharge." I said in frustration.

"I know this is possible." I said in a statement of absolute truth.

I walked back into the filth and stomped my foot in a tantrum. Minute crystals fell from my shoes. I reached down and placed as many as I could manage within my grasp. Lifting my hand towards the ceiling, I gently blew them upward.

Tiny needle tip grains flew through the air then collected on the ceiling. "Do what you can!" I commanded, jumping up and down like a pogo stick. A pile of the magic dust fell to the floor and I kicked it upwards.

In a few minutes the room appeared sparkling clean. Even the mound of sticky mess from the lollipop had vanished. Everything in its wake shined like brand new. Once completed, the dust rose up like a swarm of bees and dissipated into my hair.

I gazed about the pristine rooms. "This is much better." I said to myself.

"Penny, Gracie, Travis, come on....it’s time to go to the store."

A moment later the children appeared walking in a disciplined line down the stairway. Three sets of eyes reflected disbelief.

"Oh my!" Penny said with happiness.

"Is this what the house is supposed to look like?" Gracie asked.

Travis stood fixed with his mouth agape.

I gazed at the kids and realized they were in dire need of a bath. "Okay you kids, it’s bath time!"
I grabbed Travis’ hand by his third step of escape. He swung about shocked that I was onto his scheme.

"It’s not Saturday, is it?" He asked upset about the prospect of bathing.

"It may not be Saturday." I said not aware what day of the week it was. "But it certainly is bath time, for all three of you."

I took great care in assisting the younger two with their baths. The bathrooms as well as the upstairs had not been cleaned. I figured it could be accomplished at a later time. If I used too much magic in one night, the family was sure to suspect.

Since the children needed a nutritional meal, I worked at getting them ready. To my surprise my human body was growling with hunger and I could only guess that they were more desperate than I.

Before leaving the house for groceries, Penny and I paused at Irene’s bedroom door. She knocked rather loudly. "Mom, Mom?"

"Yeah." Irene said swinging the door open. "I’m up." She emerged from a shaded bedroom and squinted with agony. Irene’s entire face was swollen and bruised. Her nose was taped and appeared tender.

"Who are you?" She whispered holding the wall for support.

"Jeanne Wishgiven." I replied.

"You know, the woman grandma was going to hire for you?" Penny said grabbing her mother’s hand.

"Oh." Irene said as she hobbled past us using the wall for support.

"I’d like to take the kids to the grocery store and make dinner if that’s okay with you." I said speaking rather loudly.

She pivoted around in a slow, painful way. Irene nodded her response.

"I don’t have any money for groceries I’m afraid. Someone stole my purse after I collapsed yesterday."
"That’s okay. No need to worry Irene."

She attempted to focus on me and it was as if her mind was clouded from the medication. "You said your name is Jeanne?"

"That’s right."

"That’s strange. I thought mom said her friends’ daughter’s name was Tanya. I could be mistaken though."

I shrugged my shoulders.

"Okay." Irene whispered. "You take the kids to the store. There’s a corner store a few blocks down, Penny will show you the way."

I nodded.

"Can I get you anything before we leave?" I offered.

"No. I’ll head downstairs in a little while for some tea."

Irene disappeared into the upstairs bathroom. Penny and I hurried downstairs and we were surprised, Travis and Grace were sitting like angels waiting to go.

"Can we buy some cookies?" Travis asked.

"Ice cream, I’d love some ice cream!" Grace added.

"Sure." I said clutching my purse as we headed away.

We hurried along the sidewalk as the sun descended the trees. Six blocks down we reached a small store and the sign was turned to read closed. "They’re closed!" Penny said thudding the door with her fist.

"Now what?" Gracie asked with distress in her voice.

"I’m hungry!" Travis whined as tears began to fill his eyes.

"Are there any other grocery stores around?" I asked.

"No. We need a car to get to them and mom doesn’t have one." Penny said.

"Okay, let’s go back to the house and I’ll see what I can do."

When we arrived in the front room, Irene was curled up on the sofa. She peered up, once again squinting.

"Did you do this down here?" She asked swinging her hand in a fan-like gesture.

"Well yes." I said proud of myself.

"Well I can’t find the tv guide." Irene said with an attitude.

"Oh." I managed with a hint of embarrassment.

"That’s okay, I’ll forgive you." Irene said, finally chuckling.

"The store was closed mom!" Penny announced.

"Food will have to wait until tomorrow kids." Irene said as her children began to loose heart.

"Let me see what I can do." I said hurrying off into the kitchen.

I opened the empty refrigerator only to find basic staples along the door. Catsup, mustard, and a quarter full jar of relish. There was ice in the freezer, but nothing else.

A box of tea with only one bag was on the top shelf of the cabinet. Dog biscuits and a single can of dog food lay on the next shelf. Chicken and beef broth were on the bottom.

I hurried to the pantry. A bag of potato’s with a single spud sat on the middle shelf. There was absolutely no food anywhere to be seen.

"Now what?" I asked myself in desperation.

I closed my eyes and pictured a meal in the good old days when cooks and maids took care of my need for food. The chef would prepare a marinated roast with whipped potatoes and French cut green beans. Everything was served on the finest of China.

"Now what?" I asked myself again.

Ready to give up I hurried into the sitting room. I pulled my clutch bag from the sofa and unclasped the bottle shaped clasp. Inside was a billfold and a coupon for pizza delivery. I peeked inside the wallet and a generous stack of money dating from the present back to 1960 was within my grasp.

I handed the coupon to Penny. "Does this sound good to you Penny?"

Her eyes lit with delight. "Oh yes. Ricobene’s is my absolute favorite. Can we get their deep dish special?"

"Sure." I said. "Is pizza any good?"

"You’ve never had pizza?" Irene asked gazing at me surprised.

The truth was I never had, but since it would appear odd I chose my response carefully. "I’ve never had Ricobene’s Pizza."

"Oh, then you’re in for a treat!" Penny exclaimed.

"Hold on." Irene managed as Penny held the phone receiver to her ear. "I don’t have any money, remember?"

"My treat!" I said pulling out the wad of twenties from my billfold.

"You don’t have to feed us." Irene protested.

"Well, I’m hungry too. Please let me do this. Okay?" I said. Irene finally nodded and Penny whispered yes. Travis and Grace smiled in anticipation that their bellies would actually be satisfied.

After dinner, I read the two younger children a story and tucked them into bed. When I peeked in on Penny, she was reading a book called The Magic Cat. Sandman was positioned at the foot of her bed and he eyed me with distrust as I sat down.

"Thanks for dinner tonight Jeanne."

"You’re welcome honey."

"Sometimes my mother acts like she doesn’t appreciate things. She’s just proud, that’s all. She’s been working really hard to make things work out for us but something keeps happening to hold us back."

"Oh?"

"Yes. Bills come up unexpectedly and now this accident. I wish my father would pay the child support like he’s supposed to. It would surely help."
"Why doesn’t he?" I inquired.

"I don’t know, really. Mom says he’s selfish and irresponsible. She tells me not to worry, but I can’t help it. I love grandma and everything, but I hate the idea that we might end up living with her. She’s so overbearing and pushy."

"Does your father work?" I asked.

"Yes, he’s with a company that’s laying some sort of pipeline. According to mom, he makes good money, but he spends it too."

"Well, don’t you worry too much. Sometimes things have a way of working out in the end."

"Thanks Jeanne."

I kissed the girl on the top of her head just the way my father had. Whispering goodnight, I closed the door behind.

Downstairs, Irene remained curled up on the sofa. She was watching some type of comedy on the television.

"Do you like Mash, Jeanne?"

I gazed at the television, then shook my head no. "I’ve never had much time for television. A lady I lived with for a while watched a great deal of it. Mostly news about Viet Nam. I’m afraid I found the entire experience depressing."

"This show is pretty good." She said nestling her face against the sofa.

"About what you did today, cleaning up this mess and taking care of my kids... thanks. I don’t have many friends right now and I’m glad you were here for me."

"Don’t mention it."

"Well..." I said. "It’s off to bed for me."

"Good night. There are extra blankets in the tiny closet in there."

"Thank you."

My entire presence there was mind boggling. It felt as if I were my own body of confusion. Alive, dead, bottle form, human, bottle form, alive...teeter-totter, teeter-totter. That was me, awake-asleep.

I lifted out the sofa bed and it unfolded like a letter. It was sure amazing how things had changed since I was around back in the early part of the century. A guest bed at my home was an entire suite and if more beds were needed, each room had a pull out trundle bed.

City lights kept the room half illuminated and this was more noticeable once the overhead fixture was off. "How anyone can sleep with so much light is beyond my understanding." I said to myself.

Although I was exhausted, somehow rest eluded me. Giving up, I stood from the bed and began to pace the room. Somewhere between the here and there, my life form shifted. Surely this assignment was not completed. My image dissolved and without control I flew out the window. The further I distanced myself from the house, the smaller it became. Along the lakefront I could see the night skyline of the downtown area. Magnificent, I thought as I was thrust forward at lightning speed. To any passer-by I would appear as a falling star. I could only wonder the purpose of this trip.