another day

    “Ohhhh,” she breathes after the silence that had filled the room after Shel’s joke. “Oh, okay. Hey, you wanna make Lena one too? She needs some new sweaters– outgrown all last year’s. I can give you some money to do it if you want, it ain’t no problem.”

     “Sweetheart you don’t gotta pay me.” she assures her after picker out a few balls of yarn. “I’ll make her one too. What’s her favorite color? Don’t wanna make one that she’s gonna hate.”

    “God, yeah. I mean, to be honest, we didn’t exactly plan on havin’ another one yet, but, you know… – ideally, yeah, I’d have waited another year or so, but we’re rollin’ with it. At least for you, like you said, Cody’s old enough to help a little which I’m sure was a blessin’.”

    “That and he’s in school for most of the day so the only kid I gotta worry about is Em. But he does love to help with his baby sister. It’s adorable. Always wants to play with her too which is good. Keeps them both happy.”

    “Wh– What did I do?”

    “Oh I just wanted to scan you so I know which organs to harvest when I finally kill you.” she shrugs some while walking away and looking through a basket she has placed on the coffee table. Then she turns to her niece and laughs. “It’s getting chilly. I wanted to make you a sweater like I used to do when you guys were younger. Need your measurements. These days I can just look at someone and figure it out.”

    “I think we’re gonna need it,” Lucy laughs in response. “I mean, Lonnie’s sister’s coming up from Texas in a couple days to help out at least until this one shows up. I mean, I’m sure she’d stay afterwards as well – she’s a darlin’ – but I don’t want her to feel like she’s gotta, you know? As much as I’m sure we’d appreciate it.”

     “Hm, yeah I know what you’re talking about. Don’t wanna like, guilt trip her into it.” she nods some in understanding. “See, you just keep reminding me why I’m happy we didn’t have Emma until Cody was five.” she laughs. “God this house would have turned upside down in the first week.”

    “I think my two are a little young to really understand what’s goin’ on, you know? I mean, they’re two next week. They do know is they can get away with shit now though. That, the know for sure. It’s a nightmare. But, hey, we’re copin’ with it. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. Well– maybe less of the hospital visits, but otherwise– everything’s pretty great.”

    “Well consider yourself lucky on that account.” she tells the other with a laugh. “I mean sure they run around and you got two of ‘em to chase after but if they turn out half as curious as Cody is well I’ll be sure to pray for you. Seriously.”

    “Busy,” she laughs. “God, Shel, I swear my kids wanna kill me. They’ve come to learn that Momma can’t do shit to stop them doin’ certain things now so… you know.” Another laugh and she shakes her head. “They’re keepin’ Lon occupied.”

     “Cody was the same exact way.” she gives a shake of her head and a chuckle soon follows. “But most of the time he was asking all sorts of questions. Like how the baby was doing and when it was gonna come and all that. At least he was excited. Still is. Helps with Emma so much.”

Now I’m leaving to the city where the people are awake to chase a dream that isn’t real

    “Thank you, sweetie,” she smiles, taking the mug from Shel and resisting the urge to drink it; careful, it’s hot. The only bad thing about tea is the wait to be able to drink it. “So everybody’s doin’ good, yeah?”

    “Cody’s doing as good as he possibly can be. Emma’s as sweet as ever and Thaniel is keeping busy.” so the overall answer is yes. “What about you? How’s everything in the Chatterly household?”

    “Cody? Up to no good? But he’s such an angel, Shel,” she chuckles, tone sarcastic. “Well, hey, until we hear crashin’ and cryin’, he’s probably good.”

    “Oh my who could ever believe that my son is anything but a little saint? I swear I’m surprised he hasn’t broken any bones yet.” she lets out a small laugh and pours the hot water into the mug with the tea bag in it and carefully brings it to Lucy. “Careful it’s hot.” 

    “You still got those ones I got you? Because I’m feelin’ that licorice one real bad,” she replies, raising her voice enough so that it carries its way over to Shel. “Where’s my second-favourite little ones?” Second-favourite because– well, because she has her own kids. 

    “Sure do.” she moves over to the cupboard and grabs the tea that’s been requested and starts to heat up the water needed for it. “Emma’s taking a nap and I’m pretty sure Cody is up to no good somewhere.”

    “Shel. Shel, Shel, Shel,” Lucy practically whines as she sits herself down onto the couch, slowly (honestly though, slowly is as fast as she can do anything nowadays). “Shel, be a darlin’ and make your best buddy some tea.”

     “Now who said anything about best buddies?” it’s a joke of course and she’s already making her way into the kitchen, getting on the tips of her toes to reach the mugs and grabbing one once she gets to the cupboard. “Alright, what kinda tea are we craving over there?”

Kenya Rosewater - Slouching Towards Bethlehem (2x08)