“Zev...Zev,” Mariam blasted over the phone, her patience finally wearing thin, “Since I’ve sprained my left hoof, I’ve done more finance logs and logistical editing than I care to count, and now, I’m holding a Highland’s Bank of Scots-Furs quarterly report right in my lap. What am I doing with a European account?”
Mariam just leaned in her large, Busy-Bob recliner staring at the family portrait on the opposite wall. The last one taken two years ago, the buffalo focused on the smiling wolf standing to her left. Since going to college, the family spread out, but by no means did that mean they did not keep in touch. This time though…
“Okay, you silly-wolf, tell that egg-headed mouse of ours…yes, I mean Kefa. Do you know any other one in this branch of the family?...Okay. Okay. Thanks…What clip? No one mentioned a commercial to me…In the latest batch of expense reports? Let me see; hold on a sec.”
Mariam set the phone down quickly thumbing through the pile of papers she got in the mail since yesterday. There is was – Jilly’s Confectionary Soda.
“Yeah, I will take a look at it…Yep, talk to you later. Hope to see you at the blowout. Shalom.”
Mariam looked across to her left, seeing the dark giant staring directly at her in the mirror. She looked down for a moment; since she got injured, the buffalo worked tirelessly on reports and special training. The wealth of wealthy always needed a constant vigil, still this was not something she looked forward to.
Jilly’s Confectionary Soda, one of many Walstein companies, managed under the watchful eye of her brother, Jeremiah, sent a preliminary copy of their first national commercial. Being family, the segment had to have her vote or back to the drawing board. Mariam wanted to be on the court, not handling some boring drivel. Still, the creation was kept in secrecy. She had her suspicions…
Shuffling to her large flat-screen, Mariam gazed down at her enormous sneakers. It was true what they say about basketball players. She grinned before putting the disc in the Bull’s Acoustic Wave Home Theater System. The walk back to the recliner seemed even more taxing.
The music, with soft undertones, complimented the scan of the old parlor - Mariam knew the place all too well - Old saloon doors swung open as a parade of various kits and calves zipped across the threshold, shouting and talking like young ones always do. A crusty old squirrel displayed an almost toothless smile as each of the little ones grabbed a stool at the counter.
What do you want? The old squirrel’s raspy voice cackles.
JILLY’S!!...WE WANT JILLY’S the kits and calves shouts loudly. The old squirrel laughs while handing out ice cold emerald, cream-soda bottles to each child. The screen focuses on three smiling faces, a female cape buffalo with large cheeks sitting between two identical okapis in dusty tees and shorts. The camera pulls back as a deep, yet clear voice narrates…
Over the years, our family visited Jilly’s Sweet Saloon every summer for one thing – his great tasting pistachio cream soda. Every year we would bust at the seams knowing it would be there just waiting for us. As the years have come and gone…The figures fade out leaving the old worn parlor intact…our family has come to appreciate old man Jilly and his great ability to put a smile on any muzzle. As a new generation comes…
Two more identical okapis, a little younger than the first two, burst through the saloon doors laughing, the camera focusing on their red, curly hair and piercing silver-gray eyes. They look around excitedly finally stopping at the counter. The first pair, in dusty tees and shorts, partially comes back into view, both holding a full bottle of soda. The other two smile as they are handed the cold beverage. Sluurp!! All four look at each other momentarily before rapidly licking their snouts all over. The first pair fades away as the other duo walks off, smiling.
We share Jilly’s dream of putting smiles on every face. From one generation to another, from our family to yours, enjoy the taste that brings a smile!
As she turned off the screen, Mariam choked down a few tears. She did not remember that moment, but now she would never forget. Her suspicions were right, but she could not more heartily approve. Spam! Spam! Spam! Mariam quickly grabbed her O-phone, knowing the jingle could only mean family.
“Hey sis,” the deep voice called as softly as possible.
“Where…sniff…did you get that?” Mariam choked down one last time.
“Uncle Reuel took the video that summer we went to ball camp for the very first time, remember?” Jeremiah treaded carefully.
“Todah Rabah, my Yirmeyahu.”
She only said his name in Hebrew when she was totally and completely pleased. “Jeremiah…was that David and Daniel?”
“Yep, my little cousins just love to do that tongue thing.”
“It must be hereditary.”
“Humph! Very funny, Mariam! They look so much like us, it just seemed appropriate…”
“Well, I know Jared would’ve been pleased…” Mariam trailed off. The moment filled with silence. They two probably hurt the most from another fateful day, but there was no denying a good commercial when they saw it. Mariam cleared her throat, unsure where to begin.
“Well, the commercial went well; each of the test groups thought it was – what’s the word?”
“Excellent.”
“Well, truthfully, some thought it was nice, but did not do the product justice. They would like to focus more on the bottle more, but then again, initial sales have been good so far, so what do they know?” the giant okapi chuckled.
“Yeah,” Mariam said softly again, “Well, you tell those silver-eyed cousins of yours that I’m coming with a surprise the first chance I get to the see ‘em. T-t-y-l!”
“God bless.”
Mariam threw the phone on a nearby seat and took a single, deep breath. She turned the screen back and froze to her favorite part. The three faces at the counter… She stepped back for a moment and stared. Still focusing on the screen, the buffalo reached for the little black book lying at the end of the couch. With a quickly look down, Mariam breathed several times….
Yitgadal v’yitkadash shameh rabah…The prayer came surprisingly with a smile. The smiles, though a frozen image on the screen, carried a little more weight. A breath of fresh wind gently caressed her face…Vimru Amen.
It was done. For a split second, Mariam did a double take,, swearing she thought she saw their smiles grow even larger. Click!
Ding, ding! The door swung wide as a very assertive Giant River Otter made her way in. Ever the saucy and sassy maid, Mercedes could change the atmosphere in a heartbeat. Voices mingled and laugher reached the ceiling. Yes, it was good.
Mariam was ready for some more basketball.


FBA created by  buckhopper

Characters belong to  rgideonwebb