Bath Time

The last light of the day was drifting in through the window with a final attempt to reach out across the world. Cold floor tiles under my feet were radiating their lack of human contact through the day. With a flick of the switch, next to the door, the bathroom was illuminated with life from the round yellow lights above the mirror. Heat permeated the room as they made their presence felt. It's a small space just enough for the white tub and shower crowding together in the wall opposite of me and the toilet and sinks to my left. The ceiling heater starts making it's whirr of activity and blowing warm air across my face. A small turn of the faucet knob starts water gushing out into the bath tub, like a mini waterfall, and splashing the cold water around the bottom of the tub. Before long I can see the steam from the hot water dancing in the air with little waves. Another adjustment to the knob forces the faucet water into a perfect temperature of relaxation. With all the pieces in place the stage was now set for what had become a nightly bath time ritual, and all that was missing was the bubbly three year old little girl to make the picture complete.
Just as the thought enters my mind I hear the laughter approaching and the tan Mastiff, Ehod, closely in tow, tail wagging frantically, and tongue out. The guest of honor, Mackenzie, had arrived a short three year old girl with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a infectious smile. With the air of a three year old going on thirty she exclaims that she is a big girl and can get undressed for the bath on her own; she doesn't need help! Ehod finds his usual spot on the tan tile to watch patiently until it is his turn to participate. After a successful show of her maturity, with the pink shirt and jeans piled on the floor, she slides to the tub and checks the water temperature. One foot and then two in the water send ripples out {text:soft-page-break} across the surface, announcing the intruder to the tub. Before I can even...