Washing Day

 

 

{This is in response to What Pegman Saw, a weekly photo prompt based on Google Maps Street View.  This week we are in Svay Rieng Province, Cambodia.  I found a website for a clean drinking water NGO called Clear Cambodia that recounted a day in the life of a girl from the province, who recently had water improvements installed at her school and home, resulting in better attendance and health for the students and their families.  I imagined an American boy, learning about her, at school.  Thank you for the prompt and enjoy reading!}

 

“Ma-Ommm!”

“What, Aaron?  Maggie swept her hair into a tidy ponytail.  “C’mon!  We’re late!”

Aaron plopped down.  He dragged one shoe on, then another.  “There’s this girl we studied yesterday.”

“Girl?”  Biting the key fob, Maggie slung on her purse and cracked the door.  “Out.  Now!”

Boy and backpack flew off the stoop and into the car.  Maggie revved the engine.

“So, what about this girl?”

“I dunno, but she lives in a jungle.  And, seventy-five percent of her school stayed home last year!   That’s three-quarters!” Aaron smiled proudly.

“Wow, lucky kids!  Why?”

“Cuz they were sick. “

“Oh, no!”  Maggie rummaged for her cell.  “Why so sick?”

“I dunno.  Probably germs. They were using dirty water! But it’s clean now.”

“That’s good,” said Maggie.

“Either that, or they forgot to wash!”

Mom eyed Aaron.  “Did you forget?”

Aaron displayed his palms.  Spotless.

“After yesterday, Mom, I’m never gonna forget again!”