He fidgeted with the Pez dispenser, knowing that by this time tomorrow it would be full again. Click. Click. Click. Donald Duck’s head nodded, controlled by a grimy thumb.
He would have refilled it but he'd already spent his dime on a Coke this morning. He earned money by picking up trash, helping check oil, and pumping gas at the Standard station in front of the apartment where he and his mother lived. He was mostly a good helper and Sam paid him well; 10 cents a day, and usually it went right back into the cash register for candy. But not today, he would need no Pez, no Milk Duds, no bubble gum. Those things would be coming tonight for free.
What was Easter about anyway? As far as he knew, it was about eggs, candy, and baskets. Wasn’t there something else though? He strained to remember, his forehead wrinkling from concentration. If there was, he would have to think of it later. Right now he was focused on candy.
Mom had told him the Easter bunny only came if you had followed the rules - gotten to bed on time, didn’t talk back, finished your supper - and as the big day drew closer, he had made sure his record was spotless. He smiled, then frowned. It was 9 o’clock. He was pretty smart for a 6-year old, he knew 9 o’clock meant bedtime on the weekend, but Mom wasn’t home yet.
There were rules with people like Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, rules that must not be broken. A big one was the “can’t be awake” rule. He scrunched his nose, deliberating. He didn’t know where Mom was tonight, so he couldn’t call her.
He walked to the window and peered into the dark. In the distance, red lights began flashing on the train crossing arm. As he watched it lower into position, he wondered if Fairfield California was at the beginning of the Easter Bunny’s tour or near the end. He watched and waited for the train to finish, hoping the headlights he could see flickering between the boxcar wheels were Mom’s. They were not.
Worried, he turned from the window and paced the kitchen. The parrot stirred in his cage, so he offered his finger between the bars to calm the bird. He considered going to bed now, so if the Easter Bunny came before his Mom got home he would at least be asleep and ready. That made the most sense to him, so he put on his pajamas, brushed his teeth, washed the day’s dirt off his hands, and slipped into bed. He got back up quickly, having forgotten an important detail. The milk and carrot!
He poured the milk, but there were no carrots to be found. He looked around thoughtfully and decided a cookie would have to suffice. He placed the items carefully on the table and scurried back to bed.
________
He awoke to sunlight streaming through the window. He lingered in bed looking at the ceiling, trying to clear the fog.
His face lit up. It’s Easter!
He sat up and looked across the room. It was a small house with only one bedroom and Mom was sleeping soundly in her bed. A big smile crossed his face, but it was quickly replaced by a frown. Did she make it to bed in time, or was she awake when the bunny arrived? He bounded out of bed and rushed toward the door, then remembered to tip-toe so mom wouldn't wake up. He imagined how silly he must look, trying to run and tip-toe at the same time, but he knew what waited for him beyond the door.
There would be eggs hidden around the house, a huge basket in the living room, and candy everywhere. It was something he especially enjoyed, the hunt for the eggs. Last year the bunny had taken extraordinary steps to make them hard to find.
He stepped gingerly around the corner and peered into the living room. The basket wasn’t in its usual place. He frowned. Surely the Bunny wouldn’t have hidden the entire basket but he must have. What a clever idea! This would just add to the fun.
He poked around behind the chair, checked under the table, in the bathroom. He slipped down onto his belly to see what might be under the couch. Nothing there - no basket, no eggs. In a flurry, he ran around the house looking everywhere - under, above, behind things. Nothing. He pursed his lips and folded his arms. Hmmm…
Under the sink! It was one of the last places he could think of, so surely it would be there. He ran into the kitchen and dropped to his knees, sliding the last few feet to the cabinet. He peeked in carefully, gingerly, wanting to prolong the excited surprise he would feel when he saw the basket.
Nothing. The frown returned as he stood up and walked to the living room. Surely there was something he had missed. Surely Mom had gone to bed in time. Surely he had been a good boy. Surely.
But then he thought about that day a few weeks ago when he was late walking home from school. He had stopped at a friend’s house to see his new bike, and Mom was waiting for him on the porch. She was very unhappy with him that day.
Another time a puppy had “followed” him home. Truth be told some coaxing was involved. Mom wasn’t too excited about that either.
Another time he had slipped an unwanted ham and cheese sandwich behind the refrigerator and told his mom he had finished it. He had planned to return later and toss it outside but the dog discovered it first and exposed his transgression.
Could it be he hadn't been good enough this year? He rubbed his chin and realized it was wet. He hadn't noticed the tears that were rolling down his face. He wanted to awaken Mom and ask her advice but it was still pretty early, so he curled up on the couch and turned on the television.
An hour later, his mother woke up and walked into the room in robe and slippers. She looked at the television and noticed it was an Easter church service. She looked at him and realized what had happened.
She struggled for answers as he questioned her. Sometimes, she said, the Easter Bunny just forgets. Sometimes he runs out of candy and has to finish the next night. It could be a hundred things, but she was sure it wasn’t because he was a bad boy.
He began considering her thoughts. He couldn’t imagine the Easter Bunny would forget him, and he’s never been known to run out of candy. Was she sure it wasn’t the sandwich or the puppy? All she could do was shrug her shoulders and hug him. The candy and eggs will probably come tonight, he thought.
He got dressed, brushed his teeth, and headed to the Standard station. Sam was probably needing his help! Today's dime would go toward refilling his Pez dispenser, just in case.
