So, Annabelle asked me, this is really May 20? Liza Doolittle Day?
Yes, Missy, I told her. I know you’ve been preparing for this all month. Are you ready for today?
Yes! Annabelle stated, we are all set. We are going toi spend the day dressed in our Ascot costumes, and, once you put on the CD of My Fair Lady, we will sing the score with Julie and Rex.
Oh, God, I thought, just put the bullet between my eyes. Instead, I said. This is going to be fun. I’ve never seen your Ascot costumes before.
We’ve gone all out this year! Annabelle enthused. You will love it. Then she whispered to me, I can’t tell Stella, but she really isn’t designed to wear these period gowns, but we try.
So, I guess you’ve planned my May 20, Annabelle, so what am I doing in it?
You have to control the CD player. We will all change into our costumes while the CD pays the first time, and we will enter from the bathroom to the “Ascot Gavotte.” Then Thatch, Stella, and I will make an entrance and spend the day singing and dancing to the CD.
I guess I’m ready whenever you are, Missy! I went to the CD case of cast albums, and pulled two CDs. Which one, Annabelle, London or Broadway?
There’s only one, she sniffed. Broadway.
I limped to the CD player and put the Broadway cast album into the CD player.
Now what, Missy? I asked.
Thatch! Stella? Come with me! Let’s get dressed! I proclaim to-die Liza Doolittle Die! Mr. Moore, play away the overture!
That’s from The Beggar’s Opera, Annabelle.
Well, it still applies. Play it!
Yes, Missy! I pushed the “play” button, and the overture began. I watched three cats run into the bathroom to dress.
While the music played, I did a little tidying up and checked my emails. As Julie Andrews finished “I Could Have Danced All Night,” I logged off my email and watched the bathroom door. As the “Ascot Gavotte” began, I watched several attempts to open the bathroom door, which refused to open more than an inch or so.
I watched this go on for some timne. Finally the door opened and Thatch and Stella gracefully entered. Thatch wore a gray suit and top hat, Stella was dressed in a black and white gown which went nicely with her tuxedo coat.
Daddy! Daddy! Stop the music, Thatch yelled at me.
Okay! Okay! I moved to the CD player. Is there a problem?
Yes! Thatch yelled. Stop the music!
The CD player stopped playing. I turned back to Thatch. What’s going on? What’s the problem?
It’s Annabelle. Her hat is so huge, she can’t get through the door!
©2022, Larry Moore
Annabelle & Thatch 