"Now Ruth, do you promise to be a good girl while I go out ?" asked Alison.
"Yes Mummy, of course I do" was her seven year old daughter's self-assured reply.
Alison, still single, hated having to go out and leave her daughter here with Celia, but the thought of yet another night without male company was unbearable.
"How do I look ?" asked Alison, posing in front of the mirror. "Good enough to catch one ?"
"A frog, or a prince ?" Ruth giggled.
Ruth loved the fairytale about the princess who kissed a frog who turned into a prince, and never tired of hearing it although she could recite the story word perfect. Her mother first told her this story when she was two years old, to explain the men she occasionally brought home. "I'm looking for a prince" she would say with an ironic smile, knowing in her heart just how true it was.
Ruth took this very seriously. Alison was usually ill-tempered the day after a bad night out, and Ruth would invariably ask "Another frog, Mummy ?". Ruth learned early in life that there are "lots of frogs and not many princes" around.
"He'll probably be just a frog, but we can always hope" said Alison, in reply to Ruth's question.
"It's been ages since you last went out frog kissing, Mummy" observed Ruth.
"Yes, honey. A couple of months, I think."
"Why not try more often, Mummy ? There mightn't be many princes, but the more frogs you kiss, the quicker you'll find one."
Alison had to chuckle at that. If only it were that simple, she thought ruefully. She hated one night stands because to her they were nothing more than temporary relief for a persistent ailment, a few hours distraction from a constant itch.
As Ruth had so crisply pointed out, she didn't scratch the itch very often. She loved her daughter, valued highly their time together, and went out once or twice a month at the most.
Ruth continued. "You don't have to stay home because of me. I want you to find a prince because you deserve one and you'd be very happy and I'd have a Daddy."
Alison hugged her daughter for this almost unselfish and sweet thought, fighting back the tears that would smear her make-up. But Alison knew the routine very well by now. Get made up, go out with high hopes to the meat-market discos and impersonal single bars, meet someone and have some fun (with luck), wake up the next morning, depressed that he was just another frog, resolve she'll give it up and be "just a mother", and keep the resolution until ... Alison sometimes wondered whether she kept the frog prince fairytale alive more for her own benefit than Ruth's.
"Now, remember what I told you" continued Alison, back in control. "Let's see if you can remember. What do you do if I bring someone home tonight ?"
"I have to make out I'm not here. If I want anything, I ask Celia. I don't go into your room, not for any reason at all."
"Very, very good !" exclaimed Alison. She bent down to kiss her daughter. "I love you, honey."
Ruth hugged her mother. "I love you too, Mummy." Alison faced her full-length mirror one last time.
Make-up and mascara OK. Hair was fine. Pity she couldn't afford newer clothes, but the outfit was passable. She posed with hands on hips.
"OK" she said, nodding her head once. "I've passed inspection, I think." She grabbed her purse and turned to Ruth, sitting on the bed watching her mother. "Goodnight, honey." She blew Ruth a kiss.
Ruth waved goodbye. "Goodnight Mummy. Have a nice time."
Then she added as an afterthought "Hope you don't get warts."
Alison chuckled. "You don't get warts from frogs" she said. At least I hope I don't, she thought wryly.
At the front window, Ruth watched Mummy walk out the front door, start the car and drive off. She sat at the window for a while, thinking about how Mummy had changed over the past year.

**
Alison was a single mother who had never quite found the right man to settle down with. When Ruth was younger, Alison used to introduce her latest liaisons to her daughter as "Uncle so-and-so". Alison didn't much care if "Uncle whoever" knew she had a child, because he'd be out the door the following day never to be seen again.
Alison further reinforced this to Ruth by saying that the frog prince story "is our secret, and we should always call them Uncle until we found out whether they're one or the other". Ruth loved conspiracies, and went along with the story totally. Well, almost ...
Then Lewis came along. Alison found herself going out with Lewis for an entire month. He'd take her out to dinner then back to his place about three nights a week. From the third time they went out together, Alison suspected that this could be the long term relationship she was looking for, and for the first time allowed herself to think that he might be a prince. So she took the bold step of inviting Lewis to her flat.
Around midnight, Ruth came into her mother's room and, unperturbed by the extra body in the bed, sat down next to Alison and shook her awake. This took a while and a fair bit of effort, for Alison was a very sound sleeper. Lewis wasn't.
"Mummy" said Ruth, when Alison finally awoke. "I can't sleep."
Lewis, wide awake from Ruth's vigorous shaking, raised his eyebrows.
"And who is this charming young lady ?" asked Lewis teasingly.
"This is my daughter, Ruth" replied Alison yawning.
"Ruth, this is Uncle Lewis."
"Does he croak ?" asked Ruth conspiratorially.
"You never mentioned her" commented Lewis blandly.
This set Alison a little on edge. "You never asked" was her sheepish reply. "Does it make a difference ?"
Lewis shrugged. "Not a bit."
Alison breathed a visible sigh of relief and, they all went back to sleep.
Morning arrived, and Alison awoke, sat up and stretched, then reached for Lewis.
But he wasn't there. Weeks went by, but he did not call her again. He'd dumped her, and hadn't even the courtesy to say goodbye. He wasn't a prince or even a frog. He was a toad.
From that time on, Alison insisted on "Your place, Not mine", unless her boyfriend of the time was very insistent. And just on the off chance that he'd turn into a steady, Alison cooked up a little piece of subterfuge with her daughter. Ruth would pretend not to be there whenever "Mummy brought someone home".

**
Ruth walked away from the window when Celia called out "Bedtime". Tucked in her bed alone, Ruth thought about the little game of deception she and Mummy played. If Mummy said it was alright to fib occasionally, then it must be OK. And NOT telling the truth was as bad as a fib. Then she thought about all the "Uncles" she used to meet. She didn't like most of them, and Mummy didn't seem to either, because most of them never came back a second time.
Ruth was a light sleeper, and her ears pricked up when the front door opened. It was very late. Ruth listened. Two pairs of feet walked through the lounge into Mummy's room. The unknown voice was male. Mummy's voice was slurred and quiet, the man didn't talk much.
Ruth dutifully stayed in bed and pretended she wasn't there. She heard funny, muffled screeching noises coming from Mummy's room. The noises stopped after a while and the flat fell silent. Ruth looked at her Mickey Mouse clock (she was very proud of being the only child in her grade who could accurately tell the time), and decided that Mummy would be asleep by now.
Ruth crept out of bed and up to the door of Mummy's room. As usual, it was slightly open, and she pushed it a little more. Peeking into the room, dimly lit by a night-light, she sized up her latest Uncle.
Ruth had checked out most of her other Uncles in this way. As long as she wasn't seen, this was not to Ruth a defiance of Mummy's wishes. And Ruth liked to look at her Uncles. If one looked really nice and un-froglike she'd encourage Mummy to see him again. She, too, wanted an Uncle Frog to turn into a Daddy Prince. Alison had often commented on what a good judge of character her daughter was, and Ruth liked the look of this Uncle. Easing the door open fully she crept in to take a closer look.
Standing next to his side of the bed (nearest the door), Ruth looked at his kind face. Her first impression was confirmed : I like him, she thought.
Ruth was just about to turn and walk back to bed when man's eyes opened. He looked straight at the little girl.
Ruth didn't even flinch. "Hello" she said quietly. "Are you my new Uncle ?" Against Mummy's wishes she'd now have to talk to him if only to be polite.
It was the man who was taken aback. "E-err ... I suppose so" he stammered.
Ruth smiled. "What's your name ?"
"Warren" he replied crisply. "And what's yours ?"
Ruth climbed up onto the bed and sat down next to him.
"I'm Ruth. Pleased to meet you."
Warren held out his hand to shake, but Ruth hugged him around the neck instead. "I like you" she said earnestly.
"D-do you want to see your Mummy ?" asked Warren, still a little uncertain of the situation.
"No, I came to in ... in-spect you" giggled Ruth. It was the first time she'd used the word "inspect" and it sounded good. Must use it again, she thought.
"You might wake Mummy" warned Warren.
"Nuh. Sleeps like a rock. The only thing that can wake her is me screaming or crying. And I don't do that very much."
"And I take it you don't sleep quite as well ?" asked Warren, at last gaining composure.
"That's right. But I'd better get back to bed now, and make an effort. Goodnight Warren." She hugged him goodnight. "Will we see you again ?"
"You sure will, as long as you promise come and talk to me again."
"I promise. But only when Mummy's not awake."
"Why is that ?" asked Warren, puzzled.
"Mummy made me promise. See you later."
Ruth strode confidently to the door, turned and waved goodbye, and returned to her room.
Warren lay awake a short while, thinking about Ruth. She was the most forward, precocious and lovely little girl he'd met in a long time. Why hadn't Alison mentioned her ? And what did she mean by "Mummy made me promise ?"

**
Alison brought Warren home again two nights later. It was after Ruth's bedtime, but she stood behind the lounge door and listened as they chatted in the lounge.
Alison and Warren were snuggled up close.
"... so were you ever married ?" asked Warren.
"Not yet. And yourself ?"
"Same. How about children ?"
Alison drew back slightly. "I just told you I wasn't married."
Warren shrugged. "Doesn't mean anything these days."
"No" replied Alison evenly. "No kids."
Behind the door, Ruth put her hand to her mouth and let out a silent gasp. "Oooh Mummy, that was a fib ! Princesses don't do that" she said under her breath. But that's OK Mummy, thought Ruth ... as long as you allow me the occasional fib too !
Back in the lounge, Warren stood up. "I'd love to stay, but I have to be up early tomorrow." He kissed her lightly on the lips. "Goodnight."
Alison looked up in mild surprise. She grasped his hand.
"Just a little longer, Warren ? Another hour ?"
"I'd really like to but I can't. You see, I take a while to fall asleep. I'm an insomniac, like ..."
Warren caught himself just in time. He was about to say "like your daughter", but he remembered that Alison had directly denied having one. There was something odd here, but Warren felt that he did not know Alison well enough to challenge her directly. A more subtle approach was needed.
"... like no-one else I know" completed Warren.
"I know a good way to make you sleepy" Alison countered coquettishly.
"But I'll need too much sleep afterward. Sorry Alison. I'll see you Friday."
Warren left then, pausing only to blow the stunned Alison a kiss.
Uh-Oh, thought Ruth, I'd better get back to bed quick 'cos Mummy's about to explode. She silently scurried to her room.
Alison sat very still for a few moments. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she stiffened her jaw.
"No !" she said aloud. "I'm not going to cry this time."
She stood up, grabbed a plastic and smashed it on the floor. She stomped out of the lounge, slammed the door, and kicked the wall and every piece of furniture in the corridor. Then she reached the door to Ruth's room.
Ruth braced herself in her bed. Mummy came in.
"Are you angry, Mummy ?" asked Ruth, a little defensively.
"Yes honey, I am" replied Alison, with surprising softness.
"Is it because of me ?"
"No darling. You're a good girl. But you know I have my moods."
"Did you and Uncle ..." (she nearly said Warren) "have a fight ? I heard your voices from here." (A little fib wouldn't hurt, seeing as Mummy told a big one.)
Alison chuckled, and ruffled Ruth's short hair. "You always did have good ears. We didn't really fight. I wish we had. Would have been easier."
"Are you going to be grouchy tonight, Mummy ?"
"Very. And probably tomorrow, too. So if I yell at you, don't take any notice, OK ?"
"I understand, Mummy. I know that you love me."
"More than anything else, honey. Give us a kiss."
"Are you angry because he might be a prince, but he won't come out of his frogskin ?"
Alison never ceased to be amazed at Ruth's incisive observations. They said exactly what she, Alison, wanted to say but couldn't express. They kissed goodnight, then Alison stomped off to bed.

**
Alison brought Warren home again Friday night. Ruth was glad because Mummy wasn't mad at him anymore. Warren stayed the night, since he did not have to work the next day.
When Ruth was sure Mummy would be asleep, she sneaked into Mummy's room again. As expected, Warren was still awake. He greeted her with delight, she climbed up next to him, and they chatted for a while.
Despite the short time he'd known her, Warren felt that nothing the confident, well spoken child would say could surprise him. But he was wrong. In the middle of an animated discussion of Ruth's favourite TV programs (The Addams Family and Neighbours), Ruth asked Warren a question that would have floored him, were he not already horizontal.
"Did you and Mummy have sex tonight ?"
Warren was too stunned to say anything but a simple "Yes". Alison must be a very frank woman, reflected Warren,
to have a daughter who could ask that. But his surprise abated when he recalled his own niece, aged two, whose vocabulary of four letter words was truly astounding.
"Oh, that's good" continued Ruth. "That means Mummy won't be grouchy tomorrow."
Warren saw what she meant, but could not understand how SHE could understand. "How do you mean ?" he asked.
"Well, it's like this" commenced Ruth, self importantly. "When Mummy gets made up and goes out, then comes home early, she's like a volcano next day, and I keep out of her way. But when she comes home late, or brings someone home, she's happy the next day. Mummy's told me about sex, and something about bees and birds but I didn't understand that bit. I don't mind her doing it, because I might get a baby brother out of it."
Warren was nearly crying with laughter at this amazing recitation. Ruth smiled. She liked seeing Warren happy.
"Tell me, Ruth" said Warren, beginning to take control again. "Why did your mother say she didn't have any children ?"
In a simple yet lucid fashion, Ruth told him about Mummy and Uncle Lewis, who had walked out seemingly because of Ruth.
"So, since then, Mummy suspects any man would dump her if they knew she had a daughter ?" asked Warren, more to himself than Ruth. Then a twinkle appeared in Warren's eye. "Listen Ruth. How'd you like to spring a little surprise on Mummy ?" he asked mischievously.
"Sure. What ?" responded Ruth eagerly. She liked surprises.
"Do you know what time Mummy gets up ?"
"Yep. Same time every day."
"Good. When she does, here's what we'll do ..."

**
Alison awoke, sat up and stretched, and looked at the other side of the bed. Warren wasn't there, but Ruth was.
"Hello honey. Where's ..."
"Oh, I think he left" replied Ruth matter-of-factly. "I think I heard the front door an hour ago."
"Shit !" cursed Alison. "And he was going to spend the whole day here. So much for trusting men."
"What's that ?" asked a voice behind the closed bedroom door. The door opened, revealing a refreshed Warren clad only in a towel.
Alison opened her mouth to speak, but the words jammed in her throat. He had seen her with a girl obviously her daughter. All colour drained from Alison's face.
But Warren seemed to be ignoring her. "Hello Ruth" he said, pointedly looking at Ruth only. "How are you this morning ?"
"Fine thanks, Uncle Warren" replied Ruth, also pointedly ignoring Mummy.
Warren strode over to the bed and sat down next to Ruth, who gave him a hug.
"I thought we agreed you wouldn't call me Uncle" continued Warren. "We're friends, remember ?"
Alison could only watch this carefully rehearsed act, speechless.
Warren, still hugging Ruth, turned to Alison. "Why did you tell me you had no children ?" he asked evenly. Alison couldn't read his face. Was he angry, curious,
disappointed ? She tried to think how she would feel if she were a man told such a lie by a woman. How would she feel ? She didn't know.
But Warren didn't wait for a reply. "Ruth told me about Lewis. Now Alison, I don't like being lied to, but I can understand why, so I'm not angry."
"But how ... ?" stammered Alison, still incredulous. "You're lucky to have a daughter who cares about you so much. She came in while we were asleep to check me out. But I'm a light sleeper, and I woke up. We hit it off instantly."
Alison looked at Ruth, who shrugged. "He looked nice. I wanted to encourage him, Mummy. And I haven't heard him croak yet."
"Don't worry, Alison" continued Warren. "I'm not going to walk out because of Ruth. In fact, I'd like to stick around because of her."
A couple of tears trickled down Alison's blanched cheeks. Still speechless, she threw her arms around both of them and cried a little. When Alison finally drew back, Ruth spoke to Warren.
"I think it was a bit mean of you to tell me to say that you'd already left" she said seriously.
Warren nodded, and kissed Alison on the forehead. "Yes, it was a bit unkind. You forgive me Alison ?"
Alison found her voice. "Sure" she sniffed.
Ruth piped up. "Does this mean you'll get married ?"
"It's a bit soon for that" replied Warren. "But I'll be around for a while. That is, if you can both put up with me."
Ruth and Alison nodded together.
"And even if we don't get married" continued Warren, "we can all still be friends, can't we ?"
They all snuggled up together again, and remained that way for quite a while.

THE END ?

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