Clouds of Coffee

Ajax was first out the front door, followed closely by Jani. What had been a sun-filled afternoon changed quite a bit by evening. Low-lying cumulus clouds gathered over Utrecht and threatened a downpour of rain.
“C’mon boy, hurry up or there won’t be any Rabbit Stew left for us.”
They cut between houses and through backyards, taking a short cut across the football field.
A group of boys were gathered on the field, playing a game of keep-away. Jani recognized some of the boys from school. A red-headed boy named Rolf booted the ball with his foot. It bounced near Jani’s feet. Jani trapped the ball beneath his shoe, then kicked it back to Rolf.
“Here you go,” said Jani.
“Play some football with us,” said Rolf.
“Not tonight, I have to get some Oat Bread and return home for dinner,” said Jani.
“Alright then, I guess I’ll see you at school tomorrow.”
“Yes, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Mr. Anderssen’s Bake Shop was just on the other side of the field. Jani cut between another set of houses, turned onto the street and stopped in front of Mr. Anderssen’s. Jani fished a leash out of his pocket. He fixed one end to the Ajax’s collar and knotted the other end on a street sign.
“I’ll be right back,” he said. Ajax wagged his tail for a moment and then laid down beside the street sign.
Jani jumped up the steps and pushed on the front door the Bake Shop. Bells jangled as the door swung open. As Jani stepped inside, the door slammed shut behind him.
“Jani Van der Veld, didn’t I just see you in here a little while ago?” asked Mr. Anderssen.
“Yes, sir,” replied Jani.
“What can I help you with this time around?” asked Mr. Anderssen.
“May I please have a loaf of Oat Bread?” asked Jani.
“Sure thing,” replied Mr. Anderssen, “How thick should I slice it?”
Jani held his finger and thumb about an inch apart. Mr. Anderssen set the slicer and fed the loaf into one end. Slices fell out of the machine into a jumpled pile at the other end. Mr. Anderssen wrapped the bread and gave it to Jani.
“Can I also get another rope of licorice?” asked Jani.
Without saying a word, Mr. Anderssen measured, cut, and coiled another piece of licorice. Jani counted out his money and traded it for the food he had purchased.
“You’d better be moving along before the storm comes,” said Mr. Anderssen. He pointed out the front window. Ajax yelped as a steady rain poured from the sky. Jani tucked his purchase under his coat and ran outside.
“Ajax! Stay still or I’ll never get you loose.” Ajax had tugged on the rope, pulling the knot tight. Jani picked at it until it came loose, then grabbed the leash and hurried home.
Ajax led the way, backtracking through the familiar streets. When they came to the football field, it was empty.
Jani tugged on the Ajax’s leash. Ajax tugged back, trying to pull Jani across the field. “We can’t go this way, it’s too muddy!” commanded Jani.
Ajax yelped as two tugged in opposite directions. Finally, Jani gave in and followed his dog’s lead, right through the river of water cutting through the middle of the field. With each leap, Ajax splashed mud and rain on Jani.
“I told you we shouldn’t have gone this way!”
They made it safely across, which was good for both of them. The rains came harder and harder, drenching Jani and Ajax. Jani wiped the back of his hand across his brow, trying to clear rainwater from his eyes.
“I don’t know how you can see, Ajax. The rain burns my eyes,” Ajax led them home, tugging forcefully at the leash. The rain came to a stop as soon as Ajax and Jani arrived in front of their house. Jani pushed the front door open and sepped inside.
“Jani, we’re in here,” called Mrs. Van der Veld from the family room. Mr. Van der Veld had started a fire in the fireplace and everyone gathered there just after Supper. .
“Change out those wet clothes before you catch a cold and I’ll reheat your Stew.” Mrs. Van der Veld followed Jani up the stairs, then continued into the Tulip House.
Jani grabbed his pajamas and took them into the bathroom. He stripped out of this soggy clothes and hung them over the shower rod. His pajamas felt fresh and new. He went downstairs and sat directly in front of the fireplace.
Soon, Jani’s mother returned, carrying a full TV tray. She set the tray between Jani and the fireplace, and then arranged the dishes on the tray.
Jani took a bite of Rabbit Stew, then followed with a drink of milk.
“Ooh, this milk’s cold. Can you warm it up for me?”
“Coffee the wrong way around?” asked Mrs. Van der Veld. Jani nodded.
She picked up the coffee kettle and poured a spot of coffee into his milk. A brown puddle formed in the middle of his cup. He picked up his spoon and stirred his drink. A light brown cloud of coffee swirled inside the milk until everything turned light brown. He sipped it. It tasted just right.
“That’ll warm you from the inside out,” said his father.
“And this will warm you from the outside in,” said mother. She wrapped her son in a wool blanket. Ajax stretched out in front of the fireplace, his nose inches from the hearth. He fell to his side and fell asleep in the warm glow of the fire.
While Jani finished his Rabbit Stew and Coffee-Milk, Trudy stretched out on the floor beside him. She had spread several ceramic picture tiles on the floor face down. She turned up one tile, then turned up another, trying to make matching pairs.
“Would you like to play Dutch Tiles with me?” she asked.
“After I warm up a little,” he said.
Trudy continued playing while Jani watched. Every so often, he pointed to a tile with his foot. Finally, she moved the tiles in front of his chair. Jani used his toe to point his choices and Trudy turned them over. As matches were made, Trudy created to stacks of tiles, one for each children’s matches.
Their mother stood between them, holding a jug of milk in one hand and the coffee kettle in the other.
“Who’s winning?”
“I am,” said Jani.
“I won the last two games,” said Trudy.
“But I’m winning now.” Gloated Jani.
“Would you like some more coffee the-wrong-way-around?” asked Mrs. Van der Veld.
“No, I’m fine,” said Jani.
“I would like to try some,” said Trudy.
“Where’s your cup?”
Trudy fetched a clean glass from the dishwasher and held it out for her mother. Mrs. Van der Veld filled the glass with milk, then added a spot of coffee. After Trudy had a drink, she scrunched up her face.
“You don’t like it, do you?” asked her mother.
Trudy shook her head no. Mrs. Van der Veld set down the coffee kettle and filled her own glass with milk.
“Here you go, we’ll trade,” suggested Mrs. Van der Veld. Trudy took a big gulp of milk, rinsing the coffee taste from her mouth.
“That’s much better.”
“You’ll come to like it once your taste buds get a little older.”
Trudy returned to her seat beside the tiles and continued the game, while Mrs. Van der Veld watched her children. Jani made most of the remaining matches. Trudy built his tower higher and higher, until eight tiles were left.
“I think I can get the rest,” said Trudy.
“If you don’t, I will.”
“I know this one is a picture of a windmill,” said Trudy. She turned the tile over, exposing the picture of a windmill.
“Where is that other one?” wondered Trudy. She moved her hands steadily over the tiles, remembering which tiles had the tulip garden and which ones had the wooden shoes. Another tile sat alone, near Ajax’s tail. Trudy could not remember if it was the other windmill or not. She looked up at her brother. She looked up to her mother. Mrs. Van der Veld nodded her head. Trudy turned the tile over and then smiled when the other windmill picture was exposed.
“That’s no fair, ma,” exclaimed Jani.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to help.”
Trudy turned over both tulip garden pictures, then followed with the wooden shoes, the Dutch flag pictures. She turned the last two tiles over at once, exposing both pictures of the old Lutheran church.
“That’s it, we tied,” said Trudy.
“Only because mama helped. Shuffle them and put them down again. This time I’ll win,” said Jani.
“I think I’m finished playing,” said Trudy.
“You can’t stop now,” argued Jani.
Trudy shrugged her shoulders. The tiles clicked as she stacked them in the small wooden box. She placed them beside the fireplace and cuddled beside the fire with Ajax. Mrs. Van der Veld refilled everyone’s glasses and settled down by the warmth of the fire with her coffee-milk while the rain poured outside.
“I’ll get you next time,” said Jani.
“Then it will be 3-1,” said Trudy.
“I told you the past doesn’t matter.”
“That’s because you lost.”
Jani folded his arms and shut his mouth. He wasn’t used to his little sister winning at Dutch tiles. Soon enough, he’d discover that his little sister was sure to become his equal.