* 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇 / 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 !

“as someone who was once THAT HOUSE, let me tell you that candy, especially chocolate, are your safest bet.” the year she tried to just hand out different snack packs was a rough one for her. “especially if you can somehow score the regular sized over the fun sized. you’ll practically be mother theresa.”

isadora could often be lost in her own little world. it wasn’t that she believed she was the most important person in the world, but she sure could concentrate on herself and her little tasks throughout the day. it wasn’t until the other spoke up that she realized there was a person in her vicinity with BLOOD all over their face. “OH MY GOODNESS!” she reaches into her bag, digging around until she pulls out her little travel bag full of tissues. isadora holds her arm out and offers them to the other. “feel free to keep them. i haven’t sneezed all day,” she says in an attempt to lighten the mood just a smidge.

isadora was doing her grocery shopping on her usual thursday afternoon. she had her handwritten list in the child seat on her cart, slowly but surely making her way around the store and gathering everything she needed. however, once it came down to PICKLES, of all things, her usual brand was not on the shelf. she frowns as she carefully picks up one jar per hand and inspects them. isadora glances over and sees someone not too far from her in the aisle and decides she needs their help. “hey! i hope you don’t mind me asking, but have you tried either of these pickle brands?” she holds up both jars, one with a blue label and one with a white label. “my usual choice isn’t here and i’d hate to pick the worse jar.”

“honestly, a croissant sounds AMAZING.” isadora couldn’t help the need to carb load after a workout. most people did, didn’t they? her and luis deserved it. “oh, it was incredible. honestly, i think this class was better than the last. i really think my brain was working at five percent-- that’s a new low for me. one of these days, i’m going to be so relaxed i think about absolutely NOTHING. now that’s relaxation. what about you? how do you feel?”

“i see i’ve trained you well,” isadora answers with a pleased smile. “don’t worry, my lips are sealed,” she says as she traces a line across her lips like a zipper. at his question, isadora looks between him and the trailer before landing back at him. “not really,” she admits. in fact, her arms are still pretty sore from having to load them INTO the trailer. “sometimes i forget you do most, if not all, the farm work by yourself. you really should hire some people to help you. or maybe i should’ve just hired movers to bring your gift. i guess i CAN help you, but i will be taking the smaller weighted ones and leaving the heavy ones to you.”

isadora holds up the shirt alex has brought her. it’s absolutely TATTERED, rips and holes everywhere. she pretends to inspect it carefully, but knows it’s far beyond repair. “um, alex,” she starts, dropping her arms and sitting the shirt in her lap. “may i ask... how did your shirt even get like this in the first place?”

if isadora had a clear morning, she always tried to take the opportunity to go for a walk around the neighborhood. walks were a great way to get the metabolism going and a good way to get some exercise before the day really started. at least, that’s what she told herself. every now and then she’d see a neighbor out and throw them a wave, but it was especially rare to see matías out of his house. the most she’d ever seen him outside while still being home was when they saw each other checking the mail at the same time. “HEY MATÍAS!” she pauses her walk to give him a smile. “haven’t seen you in awhile-- how are you doing?”

isadora sits down across from jay, juice in hand. she had taken his yoga classes just about since he started. she even remembered the switch from the old instructor to him. she remembers being hesitant ( she’s a big creature of habit ), but after the first few classes she decided to stick around with him. “not to sound super creepy or anything, but i remember once you said you went back to korea and really... FOUND YOURSELF. would it be alright if i asked you to elaborate on that now?”

isadora lets out a sigh of relief as tomas makes it clear he likes his gift. she can’t help but tense up as he gives her a tight hug. not that she doesn’t enjoy a good display of affection, but she knew the kiss atop her head would more than likely leave her hair looking just a tad bit frizzy. as they pull away, she’s quick to fix her hair. old habits die hard, as they say. “well, they’ll be some seriously good looking horses in training. definitely the most stylish. and if you get any visitors asking where you got these lovely blankets you’ll say...?” she askes with a pointed look.

isadora loved taking yoga classes. there was nothing better than connecting with yourself on a spiritual level. her breathing was always incredible during her yoga classes-- she never felt freer. she was always grateful that luis agreed to tag along with her. she always felt weird going alone, so she tried to get others to go along as much as she could. “luis, it’s like you read my mind! i think brunch right now is an absolute MUST. i just hear orange juice calling my name. even without the champagne. isn’t that crazy?”

“it’s a bit of a silly talent. why would i need a unicycle when i can, you know, DRIVE A CAR?” isadora laughs at her final comment. “yeah, it is pretty selfish of you, matilda. do better.” the second matilda seemed interested in what isadora had in mind, she quickly began picking up matilda’s papers. “well, i’d start with a good COLOR CODING SYSTEM. you know, red for found evidence, orange for suspects, blue for alibis... that way you know where to jump exactly when you need to. and, you know, i’d be happy to help you organize. i’ve got plenty of sticky notes and highlighters to share.”

she sighs. “i JUST said they were in a trailer-- i swear, it’s like you don’t listen,” she says, mostly to herself, before turning on her heel. she assumes he’ll follow. he’s a smart man-- at least, she hopes. her car isn’t far from the front door, so it’s a pretty brisk walk. she opens the trailer to reveal MANY horse blankets, all sewn by isadora. “there are different weights for each, because i wasn’t sure what you and your horses may want. i don’t know if you really use them or need them, but i know they’re definitely things that some people use. i hope you find a use for them.”

“no, of course!” isadora hadn’t meant to come off as judgmental, but sometimes the way she carried herself could come off as holier-than-thou. while it was never intentional, she couldn’t with one hundred percent positivity say it didn’t happen. isadora’s eyes light up as the quieter one speaks up with an ADORABLE little fact of her own. “you know what? i DIDN’T know that! i feel so much smarter now that i do, though. thank you for sharing,” she says as she offers her a smile.

“it’s the nearly thirty year olds playing teenagers that cause teenagers to want to look like nearly thirty year olds-- then have the AUDACITY to be surprised i don’t need the assistance of a walker yet. sometimes i think the world would be better without television.” isadora is just being dramatic, a tendency she has every now and then. “when we hit our forties, promise we’ll get neighboring oxygen tanks at the hospital.”

“HEY - quit moving!” this was not the first time she’d asked josh to try something on just to see how it looks. it was probably something she’d end up giving him anyway, so tailoring it to his measurements was always ideal. “how is zachary doing? you know, my offer to teach him how to sew is still there if he ever gains any interest.”

for some reason, one of the worst feelings was waiting for someone to answer the door. it’d be even more embarrassing for isadora if tomas wasn’t even home, even if no one was here to witness it. after a brief moment, she raises her arm to knock again. but, before she can, the door opens and reveals the man she’s looking for. “ah! perfect, you’re home!” isadora clasps her hands together and gives him a smile. “FIRST OF ALL-- happy birthday! second, i have some gifts for you. however, they’re pretty heavy and i had to rent a trailer to bring them all to you. also, you’ll probably have to unload them all yourself. but i really think you’ll appreciate them.”