In the Magic of Indian Summer

“Actually I do.”

“Uncle Jesse said he’d do pictures for me, Tommy, and Annie too. When we get bigger.” Beau explained as he reached his little arms up for her to pick him up. “Where’s your pictures? At you house?”

Piper slipped her hands under Beau’s armpits and picked him up as gently as she could and settled him on her lap. “All of my pictures are at home. If you could get me some paper and something to draw with, I could make a picture of you.”

Beau’s eyes grew wide and he beamed. “Gram keep some in dere.” He told her, pointing to a desk on the other side of the room. “Can I watch?”

Once the girl’s plate was ready and full, Jesse brought it over to her. Then he returned to fill one for himself. Finally, he sat down and started to dig in. Slowly, the rest of the family filed in and took their seats.”This is great, Ma! We oughta have this more often!” Jesse exclaimed brightly. 

When he brought her back a plate, she thanked him and flashed him a bright smile that meant more than words could say. Rather than starting to eat as soon she got her plate, she waited for the rest of the family to arrive before beginning to eat.  It was different to be eating so intimately with his family back at home, papa was not always home for dinner despite his deepest efforts to join her. “This is delicious, madame Tuck. I have not had a meal like this in a while.” she bubbled politely.

“Oh, thank ya, Lass.” Mae beamed. It wasn’t often that the family had had company. In fact, the last time they had was miss Foster. But she dare not bring her up right now. Not when Jesse seemed to be doing so well. Plus, it would hardly be fair to the child here now to recollect on the other. “I thought since we be havin’ company, might as well have somethin’ new for a change.”

“You had no way to know.” Jesse reminded her. “Ain’t your fault. Now, how ‘bout we talk ‘bout somethin’ a little less heavy, eh?” He grinned, running a hand through his hair. 

“I still feel as if it was my fault though,” Ange countered with a small sigh. It hurt to see the jovial boy she met on Eiffel tower reduced into his broken self, a side of him that she assumed not many had seen. She drew out of her thoughts, flashing him a tentative smile. “D’accord, since you are at my home, I was wondering if you wanted to meet my cat. If I recall well enough, you told me that you are fond of animals.”

“Sure!” Jesse beamed, getting to his feet. “More of a dog person myself, but I do love any kinda critter.Why my folks ‘n my brother ‘n me, we had a cat way back when. Before we drank from the spring. Matter o’ fact, it was the cat dyin’ that made us realize. Don’t rightly remember who’s cat it was... But his name was Nutmeg. I remember that much, cause I was the one that picked it out.”

Crushed | Jesse & Maddie|

It took him a long time to answer, odd but not uncommon. Age seemed to be a question that, whilst one should know easily, people often had to think of. 21 seemed awfully old for this boy, he had such a young looking face, Maddie knew she would more easily pass for it than he would Oh, so what’s your favorite drink?“ She teased, leaning a bit closer, not even fully aware she was doing it, with a little giggle.