Honey you're familiar like my mirror years ago

WHERE: Old Lymemouth, in her yard WITH: Sophie Johnson @soph-johnson​

“Mommy, it’s Rain!!” Hallie called, tugging on her mother’s hand in an attempt to tell her that her friend - and their neighbor - was outside. With a small sleeve of plastic cups in her hand and a thermos - she’d made some hot chocolate for hers and Hallie’s adventure to the backyard - and placed the baby monitor in her jacket pocket in case June woke up from her nap. It wasn’t typical that Anni got to spend much anytime with her family, so when she could she really tried to do anything Hallie asked of her, within reason. “No honey, it’s not raining-.” she paused laughing a little as she caught sight of her neighbors and shook her head. “Oh, Rainey. Her name is Rainey, honey, not Rain. But good memory.” she encouraged, opening the door as Hallie darted towards the yard, eager to play with her friend. “Hey there.” Anni offered the blonde a small wave. “Hallie was so eager to come outside to play with sweet Rainey. You guys have time for a small little play date?” she questioned. “I have some hot - or well, a luke warm container I guess - chocolate if you’d like some.” she smiled, holding up both the Thermos and the plastic cups to her neighbors line of vision. 

After working overtime the last week Sophie decided that she needed a break and to focus on her daughter. Unlike her own mother who never really spent time with her kids growing up, she wanted to do the exact opposite. Rainy would always be her first priority. After running a few errands including a stop at the toy store, Sophie and Rainy sat outside playing with the bottle of bubbles she had picked up that day. For such a simple thing it sure made the two-year-old beyond happy. Mostly the little girl liked to chase after them. Looking up when she heard a door opening, she grinned when she saw her daughter’s friend and the girl’s mother. “Hey. Perfect timing. I think Rainy is starting to get tired of my company. I guess playing with your mom isn’t as fun as playing with a kid,” she joked. A playdate was just what Rainy needed right now. “Sure. A playdate sounds great and so does lukewarm chocolate. So how have you been? Feels like I haven’t seen you in forever despite being neighbors.”

“That’s okay. At least your honest.” She replied, brushing her fingers over her belly as she watched Sophie put the items back on the shelf. She felt bad for not helping more, but bending over was starting to get tough. “I can’t wait till I’m further along if this is happening now. I’m gonna have to bring you with him to clean up all my messes.” At five months she was really rounding out. Mostly due to all the treats eddie was feeding her.“Maybe we should then? I feel like enough moms around here be interested.” A group to support each other sounded wonderful honestly. “You should bring her to children’s activities at the library. I’d love to have her.” Hearing she was a sassy little princess, Shelby laughed. “She certainly sounds like a little handful, in the best way. I’ve got a feeling my cousin Colton or uncle Luca may to the same with this one. I’m gonna have to keep a close eye on them. Maybe her uncle needs a time out.”

“Some people say I’m a bit too honest sometimes. Think that’s a family trait. We’re just brutely honest,” she shrugged with a laugh. In her mind it was better to be honest then to beat around the bush and give someone false hope. “I’ll just let you borrow my daughter for a while. She’s at the age where if you drop something she likes to pick it up. Then again she likes to throw things too so maybe not that helpful.” Some days she just gave up trying to clean up after her. What was the point when she’d just make another mess right after? “Think a Facebook group might the easiest thing. ‘Moms of Bridgeport’ or something like that. Next time I have a day off I’ll take her to the library as long as I’m not too tired,” she promised. “I would say don’t let them around your kid too much but that’s free childcare. When someone you know and trust ask you if they can watch your kid for you never pass that up. Think I’d go crazy if Jamey didn’t take her sometimes.”

Shelby was taken back by the words. She couldn’t even speak for a minute, just nodded. “ Listen, Jamey may be a bit of a menace at times, but his hearts always in the right place.  Thank you for raising him with good sense.” She admired his sister a lot, looked up to her in some ways even.  Sophie was calm, levelheaded, and always seemed to know just want to say. “A little bit of both?  I know Harper in verity will help, but I don’t really trust your brother in the kitchen.  He left dishes in the sink so long they were growing mold.” She half teased, laughing at her comment about Rainey and mud. “ I ate mud as a kid too. Now my immune systems rock solid. I think she’ll be a good taste tester none the less. As a reward I’ll happily play with her while you take a mommy break. What are you shopping for?”

“Thanks. He’s a good kid. Well not really a kid anymore. He’s 26 after all. I guess I can’t keep referring to him as a kid.” Though in her mind he would always be a kid no matter how old they got. Hard not to think of him that way after basically raising him. “Yeah he’s never been the best in the kitchen. I tried teaching him how to cook once but he just ended up burning the pan so I told him to just stick to doing dishes. That is until he broke a stack of plates and then I just banned him from the kitchen all together,” she admitted. Maybe it was best if he just stayed away from cooking all together. “Just as long as nothing looks like worms or is green. I made spaghetti the other night and she refused to touch it. Her class at daycare is having a parent’s night and I volunteered to bring dessert.”

“I have been putting it off, but I can’t avoid it any longer.” Harper replied as after living here for two winters now she’s realized it gets colder than she wants to deal with on any given day. Which was fine. “I have been spending a lot of time locked in my house and working on art projects. I am hoping to have an art show soon.”

“There’s definitely no putting it off any longer. You need a warmer coat. Well unless you decide to hibernate and not leave your house until spring which is always tempting.” If she could Sophie would never her house until the weather was warm again and snow was all gone. “An art show? Well congratulations! If you do let me know. I’d love to go.”

“I just always find cool things I hadn’t thought of, and then  I end up picking them up too.” Luca replied with a slow shake of his head. The issue was that he didn’t have a lot of self-control when it came to his loved ones. “I suppose this way it is a double win though. You get her a cool toy, and  she’s got some boxes to play with.” He chuckled, as he could remember being young and entertained by anything.

“I think that’s why shopping online is easier especially when you have a list. You don’t have to walk by all these cool, very tempting items. Though they do have all those cool ads so maybe we’re screwed no matter what,” she joked. “Or I could just save money and buy her a bunch of boxes instead. Think she’d be happy no matter what. So what are you getting your family for the holidays? Hopefully something good.”

Kitty found herself laughing at the other woman’s good sported reaction to the mess she’d made. “It seems like I’m getting bigger every day, and I’m not quite sure how to maneuver this thing yet.” She waived her hands around her stomach. “ I’m glad I’m not gonna be the only man that does it. It can be our little secret.”  She winked, slowly bending to get a few pieces. “ thank you. It’s really nice of you, you didn’t have too.” Kitty let out a little sigh, touched by the kindness of the other girl.  she just understood, and honestly, Kitty didn’t have too many friends her age with the kids. So it was nice talking to her.“Listen, if you ever need anything. I got your back. Us moms we gotta stick together. How old is your little?”

“I hate to break this to you but you’ll never learn how to maneuver it or at least I never did. Maybe people learn after two or three pregnancies. Or maybe they’re all just lying about it,” Sophie joked. “Oh I’m sure everyone knocks things over when they’re as big as a house. No need to mention it.” What type of person would she be if she had just let the poor woman struggle while trying to pick things up like that? She’d taught her siblings to show kindness and wasn’t about to be rude. “We really do. I wonder if this town has some moms club or something like that. If not they really need to start one. She’s two but she acts like a teenager or at least she has the attitude of a teenager. I blame her uncle. Think she’s been spending too much time with him.”

Shelby smiled as she placed them in her cart. She liked Sophie, unlike jamey she cleaned up after herself around the house. He was such a pain in her side. Still, she loved him. “Thanks. I’m hoping the roommates are a fan too. You’re welcome to join us, we’re having a little dinner this weekend. I drew the Short straw, so I’m in charge of dinner prep.  As you can see, it’s going great.”  she laughed, sarcastically, looking down at her mediocre assortment. “ I could really use some help if your not too busy? How’s little Rainey? I’m always up for a game tag, or I could show her how to dribble a ball if you need a break.”

“Beggars can’t be choosers. I used to tell Jamey that all the time growing up and look how well he’s turned out,” she joked. Really her brother was doing pretty well with his life. He was working, had a car and a place to live. The most important thing was that he wasn’t acting like their parents. “Dinner prep? As in getting the food or in cooking? Since if it’s the cooking part then I can always help you with that. I’ve been told my food is passable. Rainey seems to like it but then again she eats mud so maybe not the best judge,” Sophie shrugged with a laugh. “She’d love that. She gets tired of playing with me all day.”

“It is seeming that way.” Harper replied as she just needed to readjust to the weather again. “I think I am going to buy myself a parka or something this year.” She added as at least then she wouldn’t be overly cold all of the time.  “Yeah, a blizzard wouldn’t be ideal.”  Harper said with a shake of her head.

“Wait. You leave in Maine and you don’t already own a parka? I thought those were basically a requirement to live in this state,” Sophie joked. Growing up she had always made sure that her and her siblings had warm jackets during the winter even if it meant stealing one. “Yeah. So what’s new with you? I feel like I haven’t seen you for a while.”

“Yeah, a list would be smart, but I also think I’d have trouble sticking to it.” Luca replied, and he didn’t even have the excuse of having a kid. He often just found something to buy that was better than what he’d originally had in mind.  “There is something magical about watching children on Christmas morning.” Luca said, not that he was able to relate fully as he didn’t have any children of his own.

“Oh come my dear Luca. It isn’t that hard to stick to a list when it comes to shopping. Well maybe it’s harder when you have a shitload of money,” Sophie teased. Really she was proud of him for starting his own company like he did. It had to be hard but he had made it seem easy and he was good at it. “Yeah but she’s at the age when I could just give her a box and she’d be happy. Think buying these toys just helps me feel like a better mom,” she shrugged.

Jamey’s slender arms went around his niece and he stood up to his full height, with Rainey in his grasp still. Hearing her giggle caused the male’s grin to grow wider. Due to how the Johnson kiddos were raised, Jamey never saw himself with kids himself. However, the male couldn’t imagine his life without Rainey as his niece. He chuckled at Sophie’s answer. “Honestly, you guys are welcome anytime. You know this.” Jamey pointed out. “Ya know I’ve been eating. I was literally just plotting my breakfast. I only smoke the appropriate amount, mk.” He said with a grin, turning towards the kitchen. “You guys hungry? You want some pancakes, Rain?” He asked his sister and niece, carrying the young girl while they walked towards the kitchen.

Sometimes Sophie felt like she was Jamey’s mother. Despite being only seven years apart she had basically raised him after all, and even though he was an adult she still liked to check in on him. “I know. If that little angel of mine had her way she’d be hanging out with her uncle every day. Maybe that’s because someone likes to spoil her,” she jokingly rolled her eyes and laughed. “Good since you know I’d bring over groceries if you said no.” That was just the type of sister that she was. Always making sure her siblings were taken care of. “And there you go with spoiling he Jamey Bug. Of course she wants pancakes. Pancakes, chicken nuggets and mac and cheese is the only foods she seems to like lately. She’s way too picky!”

Closed Starter: @soph-johnson​

Luca sent a smile to Sophie as he noticed her in the store. “Are you doing early Holiday shopping too?” He asked as Luca knew that he usually tried to get all his shopping out of the way sooner rather than later. “I swear every year I start shopping earlier than the year before, but still don’t finish until the week before because I think of last minute items that I want to buy.” He said to the woman who he’d known as long as he could remember. 

Sophie grinned when she saw her old friend. Someone she had known basically her whole life. “This is why you need to write out a list and stick to it. If it’s not on the list, then you don’t buy it. Though that’s easier said than done sometimes especially with a kid,” she joked. “I think I’m more excited about Christmas and toys than Rainy is to actually play with them. I started shopping for her back in June and have just hidden them all away.”

Closed Starter:  @soph-johnson​

Harper was on her way down the street towards her house when she noticed a familiar face coming towards her. “Hey, how’s it going?” She asked her roommate’s sister. She was not sure if Sophie was on her way home from visiting Jamey, or just out and about.  “I swear it got about ten degrees colder today. Which makes no sense, because isn’t it supposed to get warmer as the day goes on?” 

Sophie grinned when she saw someone familiar. Harper. Her brother’s roommate. Someone who had a good influence on her brother which was something he needed. “As little Rainey told her Uncle Jamey the other day winter is here. You’d think it would get warmer as the day went on, but I think Mother Nature likes to play tricks on us. I just hope she doesn’t give us a blizzard,” she joked.

It being one of Jamey’s day off that week, the male was still lounging around his room at the Banana House. He had smoked a joint earlier that morning, having a chill wake and bake morning. The munchies started to come over him, so Jamey was standing in the kitchen when his sister and niece came strolling in. The red-rimmed hazel eyes lit up at seeing Sophie and Rainey with a grin to match the happiness in them. “Oh snap!! My Rain, baby!” He hollered, rushing over to his niece and crouching down to be at her level. The male pulled Rainey into a hug and smiled up at his sister. “Hey to you too, Soph. What bring ya over?”

Standing up, she smiled down at the sight of her brother and her daughter. After everything that had happened to them growing up, she had struggled with rather or not she wanted to be a mother. She had raised her siblings after all and just wanted to enjoy her youth for once. Seeing this sight, she knew she wouldn’t change anything for the world. “Can’t a sister just want to check up on their brother? Want me to do the whole mom routine? Have you been eating right? Getting enough sleep? How much pot have you been smoking lately?” Soph joked, watching Rainey give her favorite uncle a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

One thing Sophie liked about being the manager of the Soap Opera Laundromat was the fact that she could take time off if she needed or wanted it and the only people she had to ask was the owners. With it being the start of the holiday season, she had decided that she wanted to spend some time with her daughter. Unlike her parents growing up she made a point to prioritize family time and that included occasionally checking in on her. Bundling up Rainey, she headed out to her brother Jamey’s place. She didn’t even bother knocking on the door and instead just walked right in. “Hey Jamey Bug, someone has been dying to see you!” She called out as she started to take off their jackets.

Wellerman and sons

Stasus: OPEN

Shelby was picking up a few items for the Friendsgiving for her and her roommates at the Banana house. Considering they were all on a budget, they would be having picante chicken flavored Ramen in place of Turkey as the main course with instant mashed potatoes and can of Cranberry sauce for the sides. After securing some wine she found herself eyeing a container of Whoopie pies in the bakery asle.“Do you think you could pass me one of those?” She asked the fellow shopper, not wanting to reach in front of them.

@bridgeporthqstarters

Normally Sophie didn’t care about the holidays. Growing up there was never much to celebrate. Thanksgiving had only ever been whatever she could scrape together which usually consisted of pb&j sandwiches and a can of soup if she was lucky. Now that she was a mom though? She wanted Rainey to have everything that she didn’t growing up and that included a proper Thanksgiving meal. Looking at what desserts were left in the bakery aisle she looked up when she heard a familiar voice. “Of course Shelby. Good choice in dessert.”