Thanksgiving morning in the Samuels house was only somewhat chaotic. Levi arrived at 9am and by 9:30 the Alexander Samuels were in a conference call with the Vancouver Samuels and the Toronto Samuels. All 9 children and their father spent half an hour catching up and wishing each other a Happy Thanksgiving.
Joseph washed his hands after the video conference ended and walked into the kitchen to to check on his turkey. He was making a Lemon-Herb turkey. It had marinated overnight, as well as being injected with goodness. He turned on the oven light and found it seemed to be doing its thing. He'd been up since before 6am and it should be done by 2pm. Opening the oven door, he basted and backed up, closing the door. He’s dressed more casually than he’s almost ever been. Jeans, a dark grey long sleeved tshirt with the sleeves rolled up and an apron that was white with ‘Oy Vey” printed across it.
Levi leaned against the kitchen counter, watching his father with a grin. His contribution was a sweet potato salad. He'd prepared it the night before and now it was on the counter, warming to room temperature. "Dad, I'm impressed. No smoke. No fire. At either of our houses." he teased them both as before the move to Alexandra, neither man had cooked much ... or at all. He dressed in jeans and a dark blue turtleneck sweater.
Daniel was stirring the snacks he had made on the island across from Levi. He had wanted to cook as well and he decided to make Crock-Pot Candied Pecans. Once he stirred , he emptied them into a large crystal cut bowl and looked at it before he took it into the living room and set it on the coffee table for people to snack on. He looked at it and nodded, then started moving around the living room, straightening couch pillows that didn’t need straightening. He was in jeans and a fall themed sweater he’d found at the thrift store in town.
Esther smiled at the men in her presence, proud of them all. She had made potato-leek knish and was currently stirring a large crock pot full of non alcoholic Autumn Spiced Toddy. Once satisfied, she put a ladle in it and poured herself the first cup. She was wearing a nice and casual sweater dress, very fashionable and comfortable.
Ruth had been more relaxed chatting with her other older brothers at this video conference than she had been for a long time. Alexandra was her home now and her anxiety was finally starting to unwind. She had baked pumpkin brownies after reading about them online. She made them the night before so the oven would be free for everything else. Everyone was cooking now, even her Dad. Their family felt ...it felt real. They were getting their hands dirty, it was exciting. Except for Danile and his obsession with the pillows. What was he doing anyway? She was wearing a brown knit sweater with an orange pumpkin in the centre and a pair of second hand comfy blue jeans. The sweater was second hand too and she could believe anyone would ever give it away. She had a pair of orange and grey woolly socks on her feet.
Jasper Rogers was at the door to the Samuels house carrying a large roaster full of little wild rice stuffed pumpkins.He’s wearing a nice pair of black jeans and a grey and rust coloured flannel plaid shirt under a khaki green fall jacket and a pair of brown hiking boots. He had over mitts on to carry the roaster as he had just taken this all out from their oven the next street over. Now he stood awkwardly at the door with his hands full looking at his kids “One of you please knock?” He chuckled.
Miranda Rogers was wearing a lined but short jean jacket over a mustard yellow sweater dress with a big scarf in orange and the same yellow. She was wearing black leggings and little black lace up boots. She had her bread that she’s baked in a basket with handles so she could knock “You could kick it and just be a bad ass.”
Jasper snorted “Not really the impression I want to give on our first thanksgiving with the Samuels. He smiled back at Romeo.
Hayley Brown saw the Rogers family, minus the oldest brother on the Samuels porch. She didn’t want to bare in on them being greeted so she hung back. It was her second go around the block. She had told daniel she probably couldn’t come to his family’s Thanksgiving dinner but then after everything that had happened on Saturday, she had just bravely announced, not asked and said she was coming to dinner. A few disparaging remarks later and she was on her way here. Hayley didn’t have many clothes so she was in what she had intended to wear to the dance before LaTonya lent her a dress. So it was the grey turtleneck and her brown pilling and in some ways a bit threadbare knit bib style dress. She had grey woolen leotards on tonight with a small hole in one knee and on her feet were the same runner she wore to school. Hayley had a lightweight blue hoodie on but it was worn thin and not very warm. Her long brown curly hair was pulled back in a low ponytail. She was pretty sure more than half the town knew about their family’s little kitchen fire that caused the fire department to come roaring up and had she and her siblings dramatically rescued. Sadly her parents got out last and her mother was still in the clinic with smoke inhalation. Her father...hadn’t come home late last night. Ruth would wait until the Rogers went in and then go and quietly knock.
Joseph poured himself a cup of the toddy and laughed at Levi. "It's been an education, learning to cook ... and to clean, for that matter. It feels rather liberating." he admitted.
Romeo was in his nicest jeans and a brown turtleneck sweater. On his feet were his runners. He smiles at his father. He hadn't made anything for dinner, but he'd been assured that it was alright.
Levi laughed as well. "Well, I'm proud of both of us." he is about to pour a drink when he hears the knocking. "That must be Jasper." he hurries to the door, smiling widely and opened it. "Happy Thanksgiving!" he motions for them to enter and gives Jasper a kiss on the cheek, since his hands are full. Then he noticed Hayley on the sidewalk. "Happy Thanksgiving, Hayley." he calls to her. "Come on in."
Daniel heard Hayley's name and jumped a little, unable to contain his excitement. He rushed to the door. "Hey you guys." he greeted the Rogers family as he ducked under his brother's arm and out the door of the yellow house. "You made it!" he walked down a couple of the steps. "You look fantastic. Come on in." he motions towards the house.
Esther saw the Rogers family and then Daniel is out the door. She laughed and walked up to them. "Welcome!" she looks at Romeo. "You must be this Romeo I've heard so much about Come on in and make yourselves at home. We have snacks if you're hungry."
Ruth beamed as the Rogers family arrived. She liked Jasper and his kids. Miranda was a bit of a role model for her as an older girl that rather fascinated her. She liked Romeo too of course. He was very funny and friendly. “Hi Miranda...Hi Romeo…” And almost as an afterthought “Oh hi Jasper.” She saw Levi greet Jasper and smiled a bit and then stepped back. Levi said the name Hayley and Daniel sailed under his arm to go meet her. So that’s what all the pillow fidgeting was about. She gave Hayley a little wave.
Jasper leaned his face into Levi’s kiss with a little smile “Smells good in here. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.” He tries to wiggle out of his hiking boots gracefully but they’re tied too high “Levi could you...take the oven mitts first it’s all still hot….” He chuckles at his own fumbling “I should have worn slip on shoes.” He had heard Hayley’s name and glanced back at her briefly looking surprised to see her.
Miranda steps in after her Dad “Oy….holding up the train here Dad.” She teases him.” Hi everyone.” She glances at Daniel and the girl...perhaps a girlfriend? She has seen her around and noticed them at the dance together. That was cute. She smiles at Ruth and Esther and Levi and looks past them to Joseph with a smile too before shifting her bread to one hand and unlacing each boot in singular one handed to remove them.
Hayley smiled awkwardly as she was spotted “Uh hi...thanks you too Levi.” Then Daniel is bounding towards her and she feels herself blush “Yes I made it...even though it’s a weird weekend.” She hovers a bit on the stairs waiting for the Rogers family to clear the front entrance. She sees Miranda holding something and her father as well “Shoot...I didn’t bring anything..” She looks embarrassed “Maybe I can do the dishes?”
Natalie saw a cluster of people go into the Samuels home as she and Marcus were still walking towards it. She was walking with Marcus, enjoying the fall breeze and the tapestry the turning of the leaves created all around them. Natalie was wearing a sort of wrap around dress in black linen over a pair of pretty patterned leggings with a wispy feathers design in multiple colors on black. She had a long thick deep red cardigan jacket on and a big black leather purse slung over her shoulder that matched the black leather of her tall boots. Marcus had been making a wonderful smelling soup and they were bringing that, along with their grandmothers…..and Kira was meeting them shortly she hoped. “What a beautiful day…” She exclaimed just as her foot stepped onto the first step of the samuels porch.
Petra was shuffling along in her usual odd clothing. She had on an orange babushka today with a little leafy pattern and a clashing pink and purple house dress over a long sleeved men’s thermal undershirt with a big brown and orange wool shawl on top. She had stockings on as usual and her signature red high top sneakers. “Ooooh Bertha she’s glowing now...look at her.: She follows Natalie up the steps carrying a grocery bag with 3 large yogurt containers she was reusing to put her red cabbage dish in.
Marcus walked with Natalie and their grandmothers. He is in jeans, a black sweater and is carrying the soup he's made. It's a Roasted Sweet Potato and Apple Soup and he's pretty happy with how it came out. Natalie comments on the day and he looks up at the sky and smiles. "Seems to me every day with you is beautiful."
Bertha walked with Petra carrying four square baking dishes of cornbread. Her locks were tied behind her by some other locs in a loose pony tail that came down to her calves. She wore black leggings and a long Kente patterned tunic. Grinning widely she nods to Petra. "Ain't she just nah? Glowing like a big ol pregnant beacon!"
Levi takes the mits and the pot from Jasper and watches him glance at Hayley, but says nothing. "You can't plan on everything, can you?" he teases.
Romeo laughs as his father struggles with his footwear, even as he easily and even a little obviously slips out of his own runners. "See Dad ... no hands." he smiles at Esther. "Yes ma'am." he nods at her. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs ... is it Samuels, too?"
Esther smiles at everyone. To Romeo she shakes her head. "You can call me Esther or Soba, young man. Soba means grandmother ... and I feel there is no need to wait for you to just call me that."
Daniel nods. "Yea. I'm just glad to see your OK, you know." he shrugs when she mentions she didn't bring anything. "That's OK. There are a lot of us so ..." he stops when she offers to do the dishes. "No way! Soba ... my grandmother would kill ME if I let you do the dishes like some kind of house servant." he reaches for her hand and will lead her inside, if allowed.
Joseph watches a small bottleneck at the door, but people are making it through. "Shalom! Happy Thanksgiving! Please, make yourself at home. Daniel has made snacks .. there is plenty for everyone!"
Ruth backs up into the livingroom and perches on an arm of the couch watching everyone make their way in. She could see Natalie and Marcus and two very interesting old women through the door. One black lady with really long dreads and a pretty shirt and one colourfully dressed lady with a head scarf on.
Jasper rolls his eyes at his children’s teasing “Thank you Levi. At least I’m a source of entertainment.” After his hiking boots are off he takes the oven mitts and oraster back from Lavi and heads for the kitchen “Hi Joseph. Shalom to you too…...did I say that right?” He smiles sheepishly between Levi and his father.
Miranda drops her bread off on the dining table and stays out of the way so others can get into the entrance of the house. “Hello Saba, Levi, Joseph.” She met them all early on with her dad of course. She especially knew and loved Levi. He was her father’s boyfriend but more than that, he had saved her from the fate of a terrible mistake she made earlier this season and for that she would be forever grateful. She goes to sit on the couch below where Ruth is perched “Hey Ruth.” she looks at the folks coming in the door. She had seen but not met Natalie but from family conversations knew her name and that she worked with Levi. Also Marcus was now one of her teachers since she’d chosen history. “Lady Lawyer….Cop teacher ….Hi Officer Lawry….and super cool old people!” She grinned at the other two older ladies.
Natalie slipped in past a few folks and laughed “Thank you Marcus….G-Mama I’m not that big yet...maybe after this dinner though.” It was still early enough that she wasn’t showing beyond a little baby bump, but the bump was there. She was 4 months now and she could now feel the baby move in the little bump, which was very exciting for both her and Marcus. The yoga place was now offering a prenatal class by request of the women in town since it seemed there was a bit of a baby boom in progress so Natalie was seeing other moms and moms to be in various stages. She pulled off her boots quickly and then offered to help carry things and was shooed away by Petra.
Petra stood in the entrance now, waiting for space to deal with her shoes but nattered at Natalie for trying to carry her things “No lifting. Go put your feet up!’ She looked at the two girls on the couch “You look like strong ladies…” And then she looked at Romeo “and a big strong boy…” she held out her bag and head jutted at Berth and Marcus “We need some young arms over here. We’re not just cool old people to be admired you know.”
Miranda jumped up and smiled apologetically “Of course.” She took the bag of yogurt containers “What’s in these? I’m Miranda.” When Daniel says he’s glad Hayley is ok she turns her head to Hayley “Oh that’s right those fire trucks were for your family. You’re here so I’m guessing everyone is ok? Is your apartment liveable?”
Petra gave Miranda a little pat on the arm “That’s a good name dear. Do you like red cabbage? Dusene Cervene Zeli. It’s an old Czech recipe.” She looks at Natalie “It’s good for growing babies….full of folates. I read it on the internet. I’m Petra.” she looks at the young woman too about the fire “No one was hurt I hope?”
Ruth goes right to the woman with the fascinating hair “Here let me take those...please. I’m Ruth.” She reaches for the cornbread. “You have really amazing hair.” she knew about the fire too and waits for Hayley’s answer.
Hayley looks a bit self conscious about all the concern coming her way “Yes I’m ok….everyone’s ok. My mom needs a bit longer in the clinic because she inhaled a lot of smoke. My dad had a bump on the head but it wasn’t serious. My brothers and sister and I weren’t hurt. Our stove is not working anymore but Mr. Stevens gave us a two burner thing we can plug in to cook on. We just don’t have an oven for a while.” She gets led by Daniel’s hand but looks around a bit awkwardly as they get inside.
Jasper was smiling about all the banter he overheard until Hayley Brown started talking about the fire and her parents. Then he looked uncommonly serious, almost uneasy about something. He covered it fairly quickly with a casual smile.
Joseph smiles and moves to pat Jasper on the arm. "You did fine, son." he tells him. "You don't have to speak Yiddish OR Hebrew to get into this family, despite it not happening much." he grins as the older ladies start giving the kids orders and steps out of the way. He looks at Hayley when she talks about the fire and then at Natalie. "I don't think she'll break." he suggests. "But you ARE a guest, Natalie. So sit. Daniel, get her something to drink.
Levi grins. "You did good. Maybe better than me." that's a lie. "It's been a while since I needed to use any..." he admits. Then half the adults try to get Natalie to sit and even his father chimes in. He looks at Natalie and shrugs. "The boss speaks." he intonew with a smile.
Marcus grins as he slips out of his shoes. "Today I'm Marcus, Miranda." he heads for the kitchen and looks around for space to place things. "Man I love this kitchen." he proclaims. Much as he loved his small kitchen on days like this he wished for more space to branch out.
Bertha smiles as she waddles through the house. "Super cool old people .. I like a girl who knows what's going on." she hands the cornbread to Ruth. "Thank you, baby. I let it do what it do and it did this." she calls after and looks at Hayley for her answer. "Well you don't always need an oven to cook, baby. It's all good." she finds a seat and lowers herself into it, fidgeting. "So now what I'm 'sposed to do, just sit here and talk to people? I can do that int he kitchen. Oh Joseph, I don't know bout this cornbread. Marcus wouldn't let me use no lard or bacon grease, but I think it'll be alright. It's kosher, I guess."
Esther laughs and goes to hug her friends. She had moved to a small place on 1st street and hadn't seen them for a little while. "Well yu have a roof over your head and hopefully your mother will be home soon." she laughs at Bertha. "I'll bet it's wonderful. It's not that hard to make things kosher. It's mostly just a lot of memory work. Thank you for trying so we don't have to break it."
Daniel sees the concern for Hayley and is glad for it. He leads her to more like the center of the house and lets go of her hand.
Romeo smiles and helps get things in the kitchen. He'd also heard about the fire, but doesn't say anything.
Petra had hugged Esther back before sitting herself down near Bertha and taking out her iPad, which she used to take photos with since it was a bigger screen to see. She snapped a photo of Natalie as she sat down “Proof that you do know how to rest in case you forget again.” Then she turned her camera on Bertha “Look alive...because we still get to...even without the lard!”
Miranda had smiled about the red cabbage and about calling a teacher by his first name after hours “I like all the foods. It sounds great. I made the poppy bread. Don’t worry it’s Kosher. We were instructed.” she smiled and took the red cabbage to the kitchen “Do I need to heat this up Petra?”
Petra calls out “Just a little warm up in a saucepan with a bit of water in the bottom Miranda.”
Natalie makes a face at her baba and everyone fussing “Thank you. We’re fine over here. Believe me I rest. My poor husband when I go to bed at 7 at night and leave him alone with the TV.” They had married quietly at City Hall with their grandmothers as witnesses, after Bertha had recovered from the health scare that kept the two older women from catching the ferry off the island before it shut down. After Bertha’s scare they really felt like they shouldn’t wait.
Ruth had taken the cornbread to the kitchen and just set it down and came back to her arm of the couch perch and listened to the conversation with her usual intense gaze.
Hayley looked a bit displaced as Daniel let go of her hand in this sea of people he and his family were connected to. Her family didn’t have holidays like this ever. Her mother had a brother in town and his family always invited them to holidays but because of a rift never explained to her between her father and her Uncle Gary, they never went. She had cousins she barely knew at school, the Carpenter kids. She watched Romeo Rogers moving around the kitchen. Jacob Carpenter was one of his friends. She’d seen them together. The Carpenters were easy to spot, all tall and almost painfully thin with frizzy mops of strawberry blonde hair, although likely from genes not how she was thin. Mind you maybe it was both. She quietly sits down on the couch by Ruth and listens too after a few polite nods about anything else said about the fire.
Ruth looks at Hayley and then Daniel, unsure what to talk to her about. Daniel had never brought home a girl before. With Levi it was easy talking to Jasper because Jasper was older and engaged her in conversation. His kids were all outgoing too.
Jasper looks happy about the language reassurances and then eyes the hot toddy “That smells nice.” He takes a cup and serves himself some and blows on it before he sips and compliments it “That’s fall in a cup right there…..comforting.” He’d had a tough shift on Saturday and some of it carried into Sunday. Levi and his kids may have noticed he was a bit preoccupied. This was a good distraction but he looked over at Hayley once or twice thinking about his recent awareness of the Brown family. Some things were not sitting right about them.
Miranda called over from her little red cabbage project “I’ll have some fall in a cup please.”
Marcus makes it back tothe living room and sits beside Natalie. "Yea .. she rest. In bed at seven and we can get up together. Not like when she was working in Vancouver .." he glances back at Joseph. "No offence, Joseph." he looks at the kids in the room. "Since I have you here, I want some feedback on my class. I've never taught befoe so I don't know if I'm any good. No one seems to sleep ... too much ... in class, but ... how you liking it those who taking it?"
Joseph chuckles. "Yes, Bertha. You've done enough cooking for one holiday." then he looks at Marcus and actually laughs. "I know, I know. 12 to 18 hour days aren't normal. Who knew? Now I am working less than 12, spending time with my kids. It's like I imagine being retired must feel like."
Levi laughs and moves closer to Jasper. He nods. "Perfect for just relaxing on an autumn day." he puts his arm around Jasper and gives him a one armed hug. The last few days had been hard on his love and he wanted Jasper to relax a bit.
Bertha snorts a bit. "Retirement is boring, believe me, Joseph. I still cook for the kids ... or I did before my little hospitalization." she rolls her eyes, even though it had scared her. "Now I got folks nosin all up in my diet like I ain't grown." she and Petra had gotten an apartment near this very house, but they still hadn't gotten to see much of each other as they settled in.
Esther grins and sits, crossing her legs. "I like being retired. Gives me more time to do what I want to do." she doesn't elaborate. "And this island is so beautiful, I almost feel it's Gods will we wound up having to stay here." she looks at Jasper. "Its very good, if I do say so myself. And I do. It's not alcoholic, because I wanted the kids to be able to have some." she looks around for Daniel. "Don't let your guest die of thirst, Daniel. We're not in Egypt anymore." she chides him.
Daniel was already on his way to the bowl. He got a cup for himself and a cup for Hayley, bringing it to her and sitting on her other side. He looks at Marcus. "I love history, Mr .. um .. Marcus. I didn't know anything about this place till we came here to live."
Romeo stood up and headed for the punch. "Fall in a cup for Miss Miranda coming right up." he pours for them both and gives her hers. "I love your class too, but there are rumors it's gonna get better? Which I don't get? How would they know and why do they make it sound so creepy?"
Miranda takes the cup from Romeo and leaves the cabbage to simmer on low “Why thank you.” she takes it and sniffs it first “Mmm!” Then she chats from the edge of the kitchen as the living room is crowded “I like your class Marcus. And I’m good with creepy.” She jokes “Can we have a murder tour of the town?”
Jasper leaned into Levi, feeling comforted by his closeness. He lets himself be drawn into the conversation. No wonder Levi worked so hard too with Joseph as an example. But who was he to talk? He gives Esther a little nod and then looks pleased his children are getting along well and enjoying the day. But then Miranda has to go for the shock value question and he shakes his head “Getting a little too into the Halloween spirit Mandy?”
Miranda laughs and shrugs “What...he’s a cop. He knows all the things!”
Hayley wasn’t in the history class so she kept pretty quiet. She took her cup from Daniel with a quiet “Thank you.” She held it and let it warm her hands just enjoying and being a little fascinated by this large blended family. When Miranda requests a murder tour her eyes go wide and then she actually pipes up, having lived in the town all her life and been born here “Most of them happened in one building so it might be a short tour.” As soon as she’s spoken up she looks painfully shy again.
Ruth beams at Saba when she says it’s God’s will they stayed. Ruth nodded in agreement. The idea of her father retiring was curious to her. But he was home so much more...and he was happy. This island was good. It was very good. She’s too young to be in Marcus’s history class so she just listens with interest. Then the murder thing comes up and she looks really curious. Hayley’s words make her turn her intense stare on her “One building?”
Natalie looks highly amused by the idea of Joseph ever retiring “You? Retire? I’ve based my entire workaholic mentality after your modelling….what will i do with my life if I can’t watch you look like you want to staple your eyeballs open reading files into the night?” She looks at Bertha “Please listen to your doctors...we want many more years with you and we need all the babysitters.” She winks at her. Then she looks lovingly at Marcus about his dedication to his teaching job. The murder thing is grim but she gets why a teenage girl is into it. Miranda was a bit of an extreme personality so extremes were probably interesting to her. The purple hair...the boots. Natalie wasn’t so far from her own youth she forgot, even though hers was so different for many reasons. She’s both curious about Esther’s doing what she wants to do and the one building with all the murders. She and Marcus had talked about it before though and she suspected Hayley meant The Olin.
Petra had nodded along, taking random snapshots and candids on her iPad of everyone there with little instructions “Close your mouth...smile boys…ah love” To Jasper and Levi standing so cute. She was vaguely listening to the conversation “Eh retire or don’t ...do what makes you happy.” She zeroed in on Joseph “Put your chin up Joseph….hide the jowls...the shadows are not always kind.” Petra was blunt. “Oh you kids want the blood and gore…..yuck.” She moves to Romeo “Stand closer to your sister...pretend you like it and smile…..there we go…” she panned around “Natalie...put your hand on your belly...no not like that….don’t make that face at me Zeli.” She snorted. Then she panned over to Daniel and Hayley “Ok you two don’t even have to pretend you like sitting together. You’re adorable. Daniel put an arm around her…..we know you want to.” She encourages and points the camera.
Marcus laughs at Miranda. "I almost could, but I don't know about knowing ALL the things." he shakes his head. "And no I won't be sharing crime scene photographs with the class. Sorry." he looks at Hayley when she pipes up. "That's right .. you're the only native Alexandrian in the house today." he pauses. "It IS a bit Halloweeny, so to speak, and I do plan to cover the mystical aspects of the class in November. That's why it's called 'Alexandra; History and lore' after all. But .." he holds up a finger. "I want all of you to stay away from the Olin on 1st. I've stayed in it and strange things happened to me, but Hayley is on the right track. A lot of strange things happen there .. but not always murder." he rolls his eyes. "It effects the whole island and not always in a bad way, either." he looks at his wife with love.
Joseph listens to Marcus even as Petra starts posing people from her perch. He gapes when she tells him to put his chin up. "I do NOT have jowls, ma'am." he huffs, standing a bit more regally without even meaning to.
Levi is thoroughly amused by Petra and her instructions. He leans his head into Jaspers and smiles, then he smirks. "Love is a wonderful thing, I have to admit." and he kisses Jasper softly on the lips.
Bertha chuckles at Petra and rolls her eyes at Natalie. "A little sugar .. that's allI want. Cake and cheesecake and brownies. But if you want me to live, I'll live. That'll learn ya!"
Esther chuckles and assures Joseph. "You are very handsome and good looking. And now you can spend all that leisure time working out to be the best looking almost senior on the beach."
Romeo rolls his eyes dramatically while he moves closer to his sister. He leans into her and puts his head on her shoulder, looking up at her in over exaggerated admiration. "Oh beautiful and wise older sister. Let me bask in your wisdom..."
Daniel laughs as everyone is put on the spot until it's his turn. He smiles and does exactly as he is told. He puts his arm around Hayley, letting it rest on her middle back, not wanting to be a creep and put it lower.
Hayley was amused by most of the conversation around them. She knew already to stay away from the Olin. She also knew it was part of how her parents met. She had overheard a conversation she wasn’t supposed to be listening to when her father was angry at her mother one night. Her parents slept on the pull out sofa so the kids heard a lot of those. Then Petra’s picture snapping comes to her and Daniel and she tells Daniel to put his arm around her. Hayley stiffened a bit but assumed he might put his arm around her shoulders like one of those sitcoms where the boy does the yawn and arm drop. So she was ready for that. But then Daniel’s arm ends up on her mid back and she flinches and looks momentarily pained, just as the photo is snapped. She had arched that part of her back away from his arm but then realized how abrupt and obvious she was so she quickly took Daniel’s hand in hers and squeezed it. “Sorry I fell down trying to get out from the fire…” In truth it was a giant bruise from her father hitting her back with a rolling pin with a great force whale calling her a lying whore for lying about who she went to the dance with. Apparently he had seen she and Daniel and only dragged it out of her on Saturday morning. Beat it out of her before her mother got between them. It has been the first spark of a much bigger situation, literally. Hayley forced a smile and tried to look casual even though her insides felt shaky.
Miranda couldn’t see Hayley and Daniel well from where she was so she was just still laughing at Romeo’s antics “Oh I have reems of wisdom for your basking dear brother.” She pets him on the head and then gives him a playful shove. But from nearby she can hear her father inhale and then he passes by them.
Jasper kissed Levi back and let it linger a moment, pulling away with a little smile, just in time to see and hear Hayley’s reaction and what he felt was an odd injury to mention after the fact. As he had treated her father and already had many questions he inhaled sharply and broke off from Levi to walk around to Hayley and sort of squat in front of her “Hayley….did any of the EMTs check your back? I was told you kids were in the clear after oxygen.” He looks concerned.
Natalie had been half annoyed at her baba making her pose but found her antics funny overall. But when she saw and heard Hayley’s off reaction she tuned in and her heart raced for the girl. Had something happened to her? She seemed to be rejecting Daniel’s affection with an excuse...like Natalie might have done years ago, like she had seen so many young women do.
Petra gives a little frown with how the photo turned out but then looks a little worried about the girl and happy when Jasper steps in “You should let him look at you. He’s a doctor after all.” She backs off back to her seat to sort her photos.
Hayley looks really cornered now “Oh I’m really ok...it’s just a tiny bruise.” She nervously laughs “I’m just a bit wimpy…” Which is a bold faced lie that no one here would know. Hayley’s tolerance for pain is quite seasoned and she usually hides it all way better.
Jasper backs off “I don’t want to put you on the spot Hayley. I could take a look not in a room full of people...you could bring…” He looks at his daughter “Miranda….” There were protocols about being a male doctor examining a young woman alone and he followed them to the letter. “Or you could come into the clinic next week with your mother if it’s still bothering you ok?”
Miranda was clueing in as the conversation went on and then her father seemed to be looking for her as a possible chaperone to examine the younger girl. She chimed in “I’m happy to Hayley. But your choice.”
Marcus is enjoying everyone being put on the spot by Petra's photography when Hayley reacts to the arm put around her by Daniel. He watches Jasper go to her aid and listens carefully to Hayley's words. Klaxons go off in his head, but he also knows that Hayley could very well be telling the truth about falling during the fire.
Joseph looks at Hayley when she arches away from Daniel and then looks at Levi, wondering if he saw it as well. But he notices that others do. Marcus picked up on it.
Levi looks at Hayley, then Daniel and then his father, following Joseph's eyes to Marcus.
Bertha sees the small Hayley girl draw away and looks curious. Jasper, bless him, goes to the girls aid. "He might can help." she advises, softly, ignoring the fact that she is having a hard time taking any doctors advice.
Esther watches Daniel put his arm around Hayley and the was the girl pulls away. "Oh ... " she watches Jasper come to her aid. "You might want to, Hayley."
Romeo didn't see the whole Hayley and Daniel thing from his position in the kitchen with Miranda, but he listens, curiously.
Daniel was mortified when Hayley drew away from him, but was partly comforted that he didn't when she took his hand. "Are you ... did I hurt you?" he asks, confused. Then Jasper rushes over and he looks between the doctor and Hayley, now clearly worried.
Ruth had stayed quiet during the picture taking and the whole situation about Daniel and Hayley and her back injury. She didn’t know this girl at all so she was inclined to take her at face value. But she also knew herself and how she had covered up for a year of bullying and Hayley was slinging out deflection like she had done. Sorry mom, I caught my backpack in the door…... I thought I could cut my own hair….Ruth didn’t say anything but she did wonder.
Hayley is smiling and forcing her eyes not to water as they were threatening to “I am totally fine. It’s just a bruise. I’ll go to a doctor if it never heals but i’m sure it’ll be gone by the end of the week. Thank you Doctor Rogers….and everyone. Really it’s no big deal.” She looks apologetically at Daniel and then downs her drink “ You didn’t hurt me Daniel. Is it ok if I go get more of this? It’s really tasty?” She was looking for an escape in any direction. She begins to stand and walk away.
Natalie’s jaw tightens and she looks unsure how to talk to Hayley but does mention “You can also go to Dr. McKinney...if you prefer a woman doctor.” Natalie feels compelled to say it in case Hayley needs to hear it. “No offense Jasper.”
Jasper looks completely understanding “None taken...believe me.” He watches Hayley walk like he’s trying to gauge how comfortably she’s moving and assess for injuries from afar. But he’s not going to get in the kid’s face again. That might have shut her down.
Petra has her head down swiping through her iPad but she’s actively listening to everything. After a while she looks up. This kid wasn’t going to let herself be looked at, whatever the situation was. “When do we eat?” She bluntly asks.
Miranda wasn’t sure what to think about it all. Her father was well meaning but he had been super stressed all weekend and this family’s fire was part of it. “You’re off duty Dad. It’s ok.” She tries to give him a little smile and then laughs at Petra “I like her…” She announces to the room. “I’m quite hungry too and it smells so delicious in here.”
Marcus can almost kick himself, because he isn't buying any of Hayley's act. But he can't force her and he has no reason to question her.
Joseph watches the whole thing and still feels a little uneasy. Then Petra mentions eating. "The turkey." he starts as if he's been electrocuted and rushes to the stove opening it just as the alarm goes off. "Oh thank God. he proclaims, reaching for the mits to pull it out.
Levi is a little taken aback by Petra's bluntness, but it dies as intended, he feels. He gives his attention to his father and when he thanks God, he puts a hand over his chest. "Sounds like turney and no pizza for dinner. Congratulations Dad."
Bertha takes it all in and then looks at Joseph in the kitchen. "No more fires." she insists. "How about we set the table while that birt rests from its cookin?"
Esther watches her grandson and his guest and finally, when Joseph rushes to his turkey, she pulls her eyes off of them. Then she stands and applauds. "Everyone, this is the first big meal Joseph has ever cooked. Ever! And I am sure it's quite good."
Romeo looks at his father, along with his sister. "Yea, Dad. Don't try to get out of this with a patient." he doesn't know what all is happening, but he doesn't want his father stressing. The whole point of this move was relaxation.
Daniel looks relieved that he hadn't hurt Hayley and watches her down the drink, stand and walk away. "Yea .. help yourself." he still looks a little stunned and confused. He hears that his father hasn’t burned anything and tries to smile. “Good going Dad. But still … we might still need a doctor in the house.” he looks at Jasper and tries not to look as confused as he is.
Hayley’s heart is racing and her hand shakes as she serves herself more of the fall in a cup drink. She could hear the focus shift to food and she took a deep breath. She really liked Daniel. She didn’t want him to know about all the ugliness in her family and stop liking her. She didn't want his family to think she was a bad person either. On some level she knew it wasn’t her fault but she couldn’t help but feel like it made her ugly inside and out. She sips her drink and Ruth appears before her so she tries to smile at her. Joseph was nearby too but distracted dealing with his turkey.
Ruth knew whatever was going on with Hayley, she wouldn’t talk until she was ready. She’d been there...recently. And people asking her things had made her feel awful. So she went into the kitchen and walked up to Ruth “Do you like board games? We could play one after we eat. I’ve been collecting some at the thrift store. Sometimes they’re missing pieces so we have to be a little creative.”
Hayley looked relieved Ruth wasn’t asking about her back or the fire “Yeah I like board games. That sounds good...thanks..”
Ruth smiled at her father and got out the cutlery and napkins. “It looks really good Dad.” Setting the table was her job. They had added a card table so everyone would fit. As she began to set places Hayley stepped in beside her and took some of the cutlery to help.
Jasper made his way into the kitchen to deal with his pumpkin rice bowls but stopped to let the girls pass into the dining room. Ruth was connecting with Hayley more effectively than he had. The poor girl was probably traumatized from the fire and he had been possibly a bit pushy. He had chuckled about Joseph and his cooking progress “Hey it looks good to me. Great work Joseph.”
Natalie eased herself to her feet and then got a big grin on her face and put a hand on her belly “Oh….it’s gymnastics hour…..” the baby was moving again. She smiled at Marcus.
Miranda had now ended up right beside Natalie and looked down at her belly “That’s super sweet….but have you seen the movie Alien...because that would be my first thought if I got prego…..just that…bursting scary creature” She shudders and then laughs “Sorry. My brain to my mouth path is like a superhighway.” She smiles awkwardly and heads to the kitchen to deal with the cabbage dish and the bread.
Petra was beaming at Natalie and Marcus but then frowned at Miranda and started laughing “You’re a very strange girl Miranda. And coming from me that’s saying something.”
Miranda calls back “Thank you Petra! I’m putting your cabbage in a serving dish!”
Natalie’s smile had faltered a bit and then she just laughs “Wow Miranda. Now no one will want to sit beside me in case our alien baby wants to jump out and eat their dinner.”
Marcus smiles at Natalie and then laughs at Miranda. "You're a scary young lady, Miranda." he tells her. "I like it." he hugs her. "I'll protect you ... or I'll run screaming like a little girl ... but it'll always be one of those, baby." he kisses her cheek.
Joseph pulls out his phone and takes a picture of his first big meal. Then he looks over at Daniel. "It's not too late to send you to a nice Jewish Military Academy, young man." he mock threatens. He sends the picture to Vera, because he really is proud of his cooking.
Levi stays out of the way as many head into the kitchen. He floats around Ruth. "Board games and snacks" he sighs. "Did you guys get to taste Daniel's walnut snack thing? It's really good. Seems we Samuels men are natural cooks."
Bertha watches the goings on. "Whoever's gonna cut the cornbread, it gets cut into 4 pieces per pan. Nice BIG pieces."
Esther grins and looks at Bertha. "You all will have me at the gym for the next week, I swear. But it smells so delicious. And it IS a cheat day."
Romeo rolls his eyes at his sister. "Well, now that you've scared me off of ever reproducing..." he rolls his eyes and moves to clap Daniel on the shoulder, to comfort him.
Daniel sort of hovered at this point. He wasn't sure what to do, what to say or what to do with his hands, so he sat back down and folded them in his lap. He gives a slight nervous laugh to his dad.
Natalie leans in to Marcus’s kiss on her cheek “Good to know my options.” She hugs him back “Let’s go grab seats before anything bursts out of me. How did I miss the walnut snack? I love walnuts. Daniel, can you bring it to the table?”
Petra chimes in “Walnuts…..they got good fats and vitamins and manganese. You should have some Bertha...but not too many. All in balance.” She worried about her dear friend since her scare. “We should go to the gym with Esther.” She declared. “Any cute me? Don’t worry we’re not looking at any of your relatives…” She gives Joseph a little wink “Even If he can cook now.”
Miranda laughs at Romeo’s words “Consider me your free birth control counselling Romeo. And if you ever bring home a girl...who’s not you know...Keisha...I’m putting on the movie.. I’ll cut the corn bread. I’m on a roll...a bread roll.” She puns “4 pieces…..oh my god this smells so good Bertha. You are the goddess of corn!” She starts cutting the pans as instructed. Ruth walks past her and she hands her a pan “Here I’m just gonna pass to you ok?”
“The walnuts are really good. “ Ruth admits as she takes the cornbread to the table. She’s amused by Miranda’s teasing of Romeo. She was mostly reserved with Daniel but she often wished she had the quick wit to razz him properly. Besides, Daniel and Levi were her favourites so she didn’t have a lot of angst with them. The old ones provoked her more. She pointed to a chair at the table “Hayley…..sit here, you’ll be between Daniel and I that way.”
Hayley had looked at loose ends after helping to set the table and glanced over to Daniel worriedly. Had she scared him off? “Ok…” She quietly goes and sits.
Jasper arranges his little pumpkin rice bowls on a big platter “There’s more in the roaster...I just don’t want to take too much table space.” He starts helping put other things on too, passing by Levi again “Kinda figured you guys could cook once you got going at it. Now we can cook together….” He realizes that can be taken two ways and hopes to god only Levi catches it and not his wise cracking kids.
Miranda just looks at her father dangerously but then tosses a glance at Romeo like she’s offering him the shot if he wants to take it. She’s already asked a pregnant woman if she felt like her baby was an alien after all and after Levi’s help with Spencer Newcastle and Brooke Martin she was not likely to tease Levi and her Dad about anything, her dad on his own yes, but Levi no.
A text comes through to Joseph from Vera:
Gorgeous turkey. Gorgeous you. Glad it all worked out. I’m wishing I was at yours now. Ronja insists on ham….and not a honey ham...a big Swedish salt cured ham. Not my favourite but I respect her cultural traditions. Maybe I should consider converting to Judaism and tell them I’m Kosher. XOXO
Marcus grins. "Let's get the beautiful pregnant woman some walnuts." he wonders when the weird ass cravings will begin.
Joseph is about to reply when he receives a text. He reads it and chuckles. He doesn't reply immediately but poskets his phone and heads for the table. "Would anyone like to carve?" he asks. "I'm afraid I don't have that part quite right. Doctor? Marcus?"
Bertha finds a seat and settles in, nodding. "Nice spread. So this is all Kosher?" she eyes it, not suspiciously. It all looks like food to her. she snorts. "We can find better places to pick up men, no offence to you Esther
Esther grins and sits with her friends. "Yes, it's all Kosher. Just think of it as meaning that God tells us some foods are forbidden. Pig is one of them, so no ham." she looks around the table at her family. Then she looks at Bertha. "Then maybe I should go out with you girls someplace."
Levi sits and when Jasper speaks, he smirks, clears his throat and innocently looks at Bertha. "And only fish with both fins and scales ... so no clams, shrimp and stuff like that."
Romeo sits and listens and catches his sister's glance. "Gee Dad." his voice dripping sarcasm and more than a little cheek. "You know what they say . too many cooks so I think we'll stay out of your kitchen for ... like ... ever. There's only so much I want to share with a therapist, if you know what I mean."
Daniel brings the walnuts to the table and puts them where Natalie can get them. Then he moves and sits where Ruth suggests, next to Hayley. He looks at her shyly and, boldy, he believes, reaches for her hand under the table, hoping that she is OK and that it really isn't that she doesn't like him now.
Kira Delmonaco walks up the steps of the house she knows Marcus and Natalie are in, because they told her its where they would be. She is in jeans and a long plaid mens shirt, completely buttoned at neck and wrists. The Grey Lady stands beside her and she takes a deep breath and knocks.
Jasper looks at Marcus and then at Joseph “I can carve if you like. If Marcus doesn’t mind?” He’ll start moving to do the task but slowly so as not to jump the line if Marcus had his heart set on it. He snorts at Romeo “That wasn’t what I meant but if it gets me the kitchen with peace and quiet I’ll work with that. And don’t tempt me on the therapy fodder.” He grins and then looks to the door “Are we missing anyone?”
Natalie looks at Marcus and beams “Kira….she came. “ She looks at Joseph and Levi “I knew she would. I’ll get the door!” And with that she’s up and the door is opened. Natalie greets Kira with a hug if she’s allowed “You’re just in time for supper. Come in…..I don’t know if this is a dog house but I know The Grey Lady is well behaved…’
Ruth only needs to hear the word dog once and she’s scampering from the table to the door wanting to pet the Grey Lady. She met Kira of course in the law office in passing “Hi…..may I pet her?” Ruth had been told to always ask.
Hayley let out a sigh of relief and took Daniel’s hand when he reaches for hers. She hasn’t blown it yet. She looks at him almost emotionally. She hated lying to Daniel but her truth was so ugly. But she wants him to know he’s the bright part of her world right now. She shifts her legs to the side Daniel is on and lets her calf lean against his shin under the table too feeling the warmth of his leg. Kira is at the door and Natalie goes and then Ruth goes when there’s mention of a dog. She doesn’t know Kira personally but everyone in town who was here before the new folks arrived knows of Kira and her story.
Miranda rolls her eyes at her father after her brother’s attempt “Oh please….you’re too polite.” She jokes. Then she frowns at Levi “I knew about the pork thing...but no shellfish? That’s actually a bit of a drag.” She’s about to ask more when there’s someone at the door. She hears the name Kira and wonders if it’s the law office assistant. I mean how many Kiras could there be right?
Petra is sitting comfortably and has started passing the various breads around after taking some for herself. “We should have a ladies night Esther.I might even skip my babushka and slap on some lipstick.” She glances towards the door as attention focuses that way.
Marcus shakes his head. "I don't mind one bit, Jasper." he tells the good doctor. Then he smiles as the knock comes and watches Natalie answer it.
Kira greets Natalie with a hug and walks in slowly. There is a young girl asking to pet Grey and she nods. "Yes ..." she replies, softly and takes another step in, closing the door behind her. She looks at the people here and inhales and exhales deeply. "She's ... with me." that may seem obvious, but she means that Grey Lady is her support animal.
The Grey Lady is a humongous dog who had been teased as something of a mini cart horse. She stands still while she is petted.
Joseph looks at his newest guest with a smile, but then his eyes turn to the dog. Well, it seemed friendly enough. "Welcome Kira. You're just in time to eat." he motions to the one remaining chair. He knows quite a bit about Kira, having been the one to put Natalie on the case in the first place. But they had also met a few times when Joseph came into the law office.
Bertha has heard quite a lot about Kira and smiles warmly.
Esther smiles at the newcomer and her dog, especially when nothing happens to Ruth when she pets her. She looks at Petra and nods. "Deal."
Levi also knows Kira both from her case file and her working at the office. "Kira is our secretary and receptionist." he explains to those who may not know.
Romeo smirks. "I am nothing if not a good and nearly flawless son. Face it." He stares at the huge dog. "Wow, thats one huge dog."
Daniel smiles a little when Hayley's leg touches his and he squeezes her hand in acknowledgement. He's still not sure what's going on, but if she needs him, he plans to be there for her.
Petra nods in recognition now as she too had heard about Kira “Welcome Kira. She’s also how Natalia and Marcus met….not all good reasons for her I know...but we’re thankful.” She looks fondy at the dog “What a kind face your animal friend has.”
Ruth gently pets the big grey dog “She’s very gentle too. Does she go with you everywhere then?” Ruth had picked up on the she’s with me part.
Miranda has to smile “She’s quite lovely.” She looks at Petra and then back to Kira. She didn’t know the history at all. Then she smiles at Marcus and Natalie.
Hayley knows all the bad parts from the news and the gossip but also that people helped Kira, not her family of course. Her father didn’t really go for that and they probably didn’t have anything to give. But seeing Kira looking as well as she did today and knowing she had a job working as a secretary in the law firm was nie to learn about. Some bad situations didn’t stay bad forever. Daniel’s hand squeeze was a comfort to her.
Jasper had met Kira too when he’d dropped in on Levi “So glad you’re here Kira. There’s lots to eat.”
Natalie gestures to the chair as well and starts back to the table “Grey can stay beside you...come join us. And yes Petra that’s correct. Kira is really part of our family.” She looks at her with kindness and gratitude.
Marcus smiles as Petra mentions that Kira was par of how he and Natalie met. He also nods towards the chair. "She definitely is." he agrees.
Kira smiles very softly at being called the reason Marcus and Natalie met. It was still very bittersweet for her. She sits in the chair and Grey moves directly behind her, laying down silently. When Natalie's grandmother mentions Grey, Kira's hand drifts to the dog as it often does in reassurance. She looks at the youngest girl and nods, then seems to consider it and speaks. "Yes. She makes me feel ... safe. Like I can ... go outside." she explains. "She's my service animal."
Joseph keeps his smile on his face. "Well, I know you are both a fine addition to the Alexandra branch, so you are both welcome here."
Bertha is amazed at the size of the dog, but she can absolutely understand how it could make the girl feel safe.
Esther smiles at Kira and the dog. And looks around the table at everyone assembled.
Levi smiles and nods. "The Grey Lady follows Kira everywhere and is never far from her." he explains.
Romeo nods, still enamoured with the dog. He knew service animals existed, but he'd never met one before now.
Daniel watches and listens, but mostly he remains quiet and watching.
Ruth has read about service animals and seen them around in the world but this one is different. “You don’t have one of those harness thingies? You know with a sign that says she’s a working dog?”
Hayley looks at Grey and then at Ruth “Alexandra is a bit different than other places Ruth. We all just know Grey is there for Kira.” She looks shy after speaking up again and looks at Kira “Not to speak for you….sorry.” She looks away. She felt maybe too comfortable here but at home she knew speaking out of turn had consequences.
Jasper smiles kindly at Kira. Clearly there was a story behind it all and from the sounds of it maybe this dog was for some kind of anxiety? He’d heard of those service animals before “Well it’s good you have Grey.” He starts piling up turkey meat on the platter and then adds a leg and a wing “We can be ready to pass this around. But I can carve more as we need more.”
Natalie gives Kira an encouraging look. She was doing so well and probably none of these folks aside from her and Marcus and Kira knew it. Levi and Joseph knew of it but they hadn’t seen it. Hayley’s comment reminds her that Hayley had seen Kira before her healing began and knew the story, even if by hearsay. “The Grey Lady is always welcome Kira, as are you where our family goes.” She looks at Jasper “Oh good. I was going to eat all the walnuts if you cut too slow. Got a human to grow after all….or an alien?” She winks at Miranda.
Miranda takes the service dog info in and doesn’t put Kira on the spot but she’s still a bit curious. She watches Ruth ask her question after Kira’s explanation and then hears Hayley. Alexandra was different. That part was very true. She smirks at Natalie “Sorry about that. But I’m really good at photoshop if you want to send out some freaky deaky birth announcements when the time comes.”
Petra smiles warmly about the connection between Kira and Grey and then looks eager about the turkey “Let’s pass all this….time to fill our faces.” She shoots miranda a little look about her photoshop offer “A very strange girl…” She mutters.
Marcus watches as the turkey is carved and conversation begins. Then he glances at Kira. "She's right. If you ever want to go to the mainland and aren't comfortable with just you and Grey, let us know and we'll go with you." he winks at Natalie. "Maybe one of each." he smirks. He looks at Miranda. "So we can have two heads or an extra arm? That could be interesting."
Kira sits with one hand on Grey, but otherwise at her ease, apparently. She looks at Ruth and then at Hayley. "But you're right." she replies, softly. "I don't leave the island. And if I did, I have a card, if anyone asks." she shudders a little at the idea that anyone would confront her. She looks at Marcus and Natalie. "Thanks ... but right now ... I belong here." Alexandra was almost everything to her now. She just wasn't ready to leave it.
Joseph begins to pass the dishes around the table. He's feeling very comfortable about this bunch. He hasn't had a lot of diners at home with his family, and that is what it feels like now to him.
Bertha just watches, especially Kira and her dog. "I had a neighbor once who had a dog for her anxiety, but that was one of them little pocket pets that was probably genetically engineered or something. Called a Teacup Yorkie." she shakes her head in disbelief.
Esther smiles around the table, loving the interactions and the overall feel. Everyone in her family that was here was much more relaxed than they had been in Vancouver.
Levi grins and looks around the table. His eyes pause on Miranda. She was nothing if not creative in the imagination. She seemed much more relaxed and he assumes she isn't being bothered anymore.
Romeo laughs at his sister's offer, but for the most part, he's waiting on food. He wants something of everything.
Daniel listens to what Hayley has to say and also how she says it. he squeezes her hand and smiles at her. She seemed to be a little less nervous. That fire had to have been terrifying for her, he assumed.
Hayley feels Daniel squeeze her hand again and sees his smile. She smiles back shyly but he makes her feel happy and she can’t explain why...but he makes her feel safe. In his house with his family and extended family. No one is holding power over anyone’s head, yelling, scaring, threatening or raising a hand. This is what a family is supposed to be like, kind to one another, taking and eating together, even sharing jokes. The plates get loaded up and there are lots of compliments on the various foods.
Petra is dipping Bertha’s cornbread in her red cabbage “Bertha this is good, it’s always good, even Kosher.” Then she rips off some of the poppy bread and puts some lemon turkey on it “Mmm! Mazel tov!” She grins at Joseph and then Miranda. Food is joy.
Miranda sees the bread dipping action and copies it but her poppy bread goes in the soup “Thanks Petra…..oh my god who made this soup? It’s so good! I could seriously live off bread and soup. No offense to all the other yummy things.” Natalie points to Marcus about the soup and Miranda raises a spoon in toast “Good job….I suppose I could make you all aliens….I was going to do the baby burst and just superimpose the face on the creature.”
Natalie laughs silently but she’s too busy eating to comment back. Everything is so good.
Jasper settles in ready to dig in after setting the half carcass in the kitchen after carving. But before he eats he takes Levi’s hand on top of the table “I’m very thankful we met….and our families are celebrating together. I love you.” He’s fine with everyone hearing it all.
Ruth is very excited about all the foods and happily eats. Her mother is not telling her what to eat or how much this holiday so she takes an extra helping of potato leek knish and beams at Saba “This is my favourite!” She had giggled at Miranda and she saw Daniel and Hayley holding hands under the table and then Jasper took Levi’s hand on top of the table and told him he was thankful and then said he loves him. She smiles at them, glad to see her brother with someone so happy to be with him.
Marcus enjoyed the food, trying a little bit of everything. Everyone had made something different, even though it was all kosher.
Kira filled her plate and ate. She didn't complain nor did she compliment, as she was still very used to blending into the background whenever she could. But this was another time she was able to get out of the house and socialize and maybe that was closer to her new normal.
Joseph is over the moon at having his food praised. Had Ruth not had her spout of difance, he thought that he would never have needed to learn to cook, or learn hos satisfying it was to cook for yourself and your family.
Bertha is more careful with her portions, knowing that she had to watch her sugars. But everything was good. "I suppose its prolly healthier too. But it's still good, yea. All of it is."
Esther enjoys meals with people. She is a very social woman and this place gave her a wide variety of personalities to enjoy. She grins at Ruth when her knish is praised. "Eat up, Ruth. You're too thin." she proclaims.
Levi ate while enjoying compliments and conversation. This transfer was the best thing to ever happen to him. Jasper takes his hand and speaks beautiful words to him in front of everyone. Levi takes his hand in his and kisses it. “I love you, too.” he replies. “I don’t think I’ve ever been happier than I am with you, Jasper.”
Romeo is in food heaven. He's nearly always hungry these days, but he figures he is at that age.
Daniel is also happily eating and looks across Hayley to his sister with a wide grin. She had taken a chance when she ran away and stranded them here, but they hadn't left yet and he was glad of it. He hoped they'd never move back to Vancouver.
The meal was devoured and the pumpkin brownies were served with the last of the fall in a cup drink and what was left of the walnuts. Bellies were satisfied and belts were tight. Ruth dragged a small rubbermaid tub full of board games into the living room as promised and took off the lid beginning to list options “We could play Clue….Snakes and Ladders, Monopoly….Jenga….”
Miranda was clearing plates and called over “I vote for Clue!” She scraped them as needed and then rinsed them, ready to help load the dishwasher.
Jasper was finding containers for leftovers, his heart and his belly perfectly full. He didn’t answer about the games, thinking Ruth was mostly talking to the kids and teen crowd.
Hayley had been helping to take things to the kitchen too but it seemed there were too many people dealing with dishes for her to jump in, despite what Daniel had said earlier. So after she helped clear the table she went and sat by Ruth “You have a lot of board games.”
Ruth looked up at her “What do you play at your house? Your brother Dustin is in my class. But I mostly hang out with Emma Wong, so I don’t really know him. You have a younger sister too….and an older brother right? You guys must play games.”
Hayley nodded and looked conflicted. She and her siblings didn’t exactly have a normal carefree childhood full of play. “Laura and I play cards a lot.” She states. It was something quiet they could do together when they were hiding out in their room and cards were easy to come by.
Ruth perks up “Oh….well I have some card decks….would you rather play cards?”
Hayley shakes her head and smiles “No that’s ok. We can try Clue. I’ve never played.” She looks a little sheepishly at Daniel feeling like all her answers to normal questions must sem odd to him.
Now Natalie looks surprised “You’ve never played Clue Hayley?” It was such a common game she figured every kid had played it. She looks at Kira “Will you stick around for a game of something?” She was enjoying having Kira and Grey there with them.
Petra heads back to the chair she was in before and tools around on her iPad, listening in but not looking ready to engage in a game.
A text comes into Joseph’s phone from Vera. It’s a selfie of her with her three grandchildren, two little wild brown haired boys, one on each side almost grabbing on another over her and a sweet little blonde girl in her lap looking up at her. Vera looks happy to be in the center of it all. There’s a little heart on the photo like a sticker.
Romeo is game to play any game, but he looks surprised that Hayley has never played Clue, but he doesn't say anything about it.
Daniel loves Clue. He enjoys figuring out mysteries. It's a little odd that Hayley hadn't played CLue and he is guessing it might be a matter of money.
Joseph is interested that Hayley doesn't know how to play Clue. Then again, he didn't have as much time to play games as he did when he was literally a child. His phone chimes and he pulls it out to see Vera's text. He grins and replies;
Beautiful ... all of you. The kids are playing games now and I am thinking of beating my mother to the dishes.
He sends it and then realizes he's called Esther his mother. It is common for him, because she was like a mother to him and had been his mother-in-law. He pockets his phone again and moves into the kitchen to try and do the dishes.
Marcus has had an incredible time and now looks forward to watching the kids play a board game. He's more interested in Clue, as mysteries had always been his thing. He sits on the couch and waits to see if Kira will stay or head home.
Kira watches all of the people and, when Natalie asks her to stay looks a little torn. But after a hesitation nos, slowly. "I .. I can stay."
Bertha has thoroughly enjoyed the dinner and ettles herself in a living room chair. But the tryptophan overcomes her and soon she is sleeping lightly.
Esther is smiling happily watching her grandchildren and the others. She is about to go into the kitchen to get ahead of the dishes but sees that Joseph is already there. "Oh .. Joseph // doing dishes?" she blinks but moves ot his side, not offering help unless he needs it.
Levi stands and helps Jasper and when he sees his father at the sink, he laughs. "This is HAVE to see!"
Jasper hears Esther and then Levi and turns to look at Joseph “Oh? This is rare?” He’s still a bit amused by the Samuels recently learning all their adulting. But Levi and his father are taking it on without pretense.
Miranda opens the dishwasher, which is empty and starts loading in plates as she catches the whole dishes conversation “Well we could just soak them and do like two or three loads over the afternoon and evening. Then you really only have to wash the things we can’t put in right?” Miranda hated hand washing dishes.She had noticed Joseph texting and figured it was to one of his older kids celebrating elsewhere. She thought about her mom briefly but didn’t even yet have a phone number for her. Wherever she was, she wasn’t reaching out to her kids.
Ruth laid out the game board on the coffee table and began to hand out game tokens “Hayley, Daniel, Me, Miranda, Romeo...we can have 6, does anyone else want in?” Miranda was still in the kitchen. “Who do you want to be Miranda?”
“Professor Plum!” Miranda called back “Goes with my hair. I’ll be there in 2 secs.”
Ruth sets aside the purple token and looks around at the others. Hayley had never played so she offered to her next “There’s Mrs. Peacock, the blue one, Mrs. White...white obviously, Miss Scarlett is red. You don’t have to pick a girl character...Miranda didn’t. One of the boys will just have to play as a girl character. Not that it matters. And then there’s Mr. Green and Colonel Mustard.”
“I’ll take Mrs. Peacock.” Hayley says with a nod, picking up the blue token “I like the colour blue.”
Ruth grins “I’m still going to make a boy be a girl then. I’m taking Colonel Mustard.” she takes the yellow and looks between Daniel and Romeo. It was the closest to teasing her brother she got and she wasn’t sure it was even effective.
Now Miranda walked up with a drink “Oh make Romeo be Miss Scarlett….Miss Scarlett the harlot.” she goads at him as she sits cross legged by the coffee table.
Natalie laughs at both Joseph and the dishes and then the banter around the game “Marcus...Kira, do either of you want to play?” She knew Marcus was a kid at heart but she also thought Kira might need a little fun in her life.
Petra lay her iPad across her bosom and dozed off with Bertha in the chair beside her. They were an adorable pair of snoozing old ladies.
Vera texted Joseph back:
I find covering myself in children to be an easy way to get out of dishes. But I support you in your endeavours dear:)
Romeo watches from his position in the open concept space, amused. But he was understanding more and more how successful Levi's family was. They didn't know how to cook or clean or anything. It was all new to them. He puffs up indignantly. "Are you calling me a whore, big sister? Just because I have more friends than you ... or rather cuter ones." the teasing never ends with them.
Joseph has been looking at the pile of dishes like it was a challenge. "I've never done dishes in my life. Neither have my kids … all nine of them." he admits. Miranda mentions using the dishwasher. "Yes. Right ... the dishwasher." he huffs a bit. "I've been doing them by hand, since there are only the three of us. How long does a dishwasher take?" he sort of likes doing the dishes by hand and wonders if that makes him strange. He watches as the plates are loaded. "They'll get clean that way, won't they, Miranda?" he gets another text and replies;
I LOVE doing the dishes. It would be even better if the sink was by a window, I think.
Levi nods at Jasper. "Yes. Before I came hee, I never did them either. We had people to do that. Believe me ... we're babes in the woods when it comes to being grown ups." he laughs, but it is a delighted sound. "I love doing the dishes by hand and haven't used my dishwasher yet."
Daniel is standing and watching his father in the kitchen. "Yea ... um .. " he rubs the back of his neck sheepishly. "I never had chores before. I break a lot of dishes. They get slippery with all that soap and water, but it's still fun."
Marcus watches the game set up while he listens. "Well if Joseph can do dishes than I can play Clue." he announces, sliding off ot the couch and onto the floor with The Grey Lady. “Is Plum taken?”
Kira watches, a small smile on her lips. She shakes her head at Natalie. She's nearly socialed out, but wants to stay.
Bertha opens one eye, not completely out of it. "Ya'll a damn trip." she rolls her shoulders and closes her eyes again.
Esther watches carefully. "There are good and bad sides to a successful career." she says. "I think Daniel is just at a clumsy stage. Growth spurt, I suspect. Dishes are easily enough replaced." she looks at him fondly.
Miranda makes a face at Romeo and whispers shouts “Man ho!” Then she realizes she’s possibly offensive to Ruth who’s younger and smirks “Sorry.” Then she snarks at Romeo “Your friends are not cuter. Winona and Tyler and plenty cute….they’d be even cuter together but they seem to be denying their fate.” She calls over to the kitchen “You guys are so weird. You understand why they call it a dishwasher right? Of course they’ll get clean. You go from not washing dishes to the freakin turn of the century?” She gestures at Daniel “Dude, seriously...dishwasher. You’ll break less.” She holds onto her little purple token and looks at Marcus “I have Plum...but you’re my teacher.” She gives him the side eye “would you consider Mr. Green? Will it affect my grades if I don’t offer to trade?” she laughs “Oh wait we don’t do grades….I’m keeping Plum!” she scoops up the green token and offers it to Marcus as she giggles at Bertha’s little brief waking comment.
Hayley sits quietly rolling the blue token between her fingers. She looks pointedly at the game board as she listens to a baffling conversation about how no one in Daniel’ family, including Daniel has done any kind of dishes or chores until now. How rich were they? And what a strange life. She had done more than her fair share of chores since she was old enough to hold a broom. In fact she often took Laura’s and Dustin’s if they weren’t moving fast enough and their father was in a mood. She and Maddox were faster and they knew it. She tensed when Daniel talked about breaking dishes and Esther’s comment shocked her. She looked at Daniel curiously “You don’t get in any trouble for breaking dishes? We don’t have a dishwasher.” She was ever so careful when she washed dishes. They didn’t have a dishwasher so it was all by hand but the once or twice she’d dropped something she heard her father unbuckling his belt and knew she’d pay before the first blow was struck
Natalie smiles at Kira and then just watches contentedly as Marcus joins in. She laughs a bit about the dishes conversation happening all around.
Ruth puffs up “I have never broken a dish yet.” She knocks on the wood of the coffee table. “I like having chores. It makes me feel like our house here is more real….like we’re not living in some weird bubble.” She sorts the cards into piles and shuffles and then picks out the answer cards keeping them face down as she slides them into the secret envelope. Then she shuffles the rest together and starts dealing. “Daniel, you’re Mrs. White if Marcus takes Mr. Green. Everyone move your tokens to your starting squares.”
Jasper smirks “Hey whatever works, as long as they all get clean eventually. Babes in the woods…” He laughs “Daniel will get better at it in time I’m sure. I had to train my kids pretty early on chores. I worked a lot of nights and Bea…..she was not the most diligent dish doer….but when you have enough people it all works out.” He looks over to the game and smiles as it looks like a good time so far.
Romeo rolls his eyes. "Matchmaker." he accuses and then he laughs at her teasing. And he just shakes his head at his sister when she tries to bargain with a teacher that was also a cop. He moves his piece to the starting point. His jaw tightens slightly at the mention of his mother, but he just focuses on the game.
Joseph laughs. "What do I know?" he calls over to Miranda. But delightedly, he begins to fill the sink to wash the rest by hand.
Daniel looks at Hayley and shrugs. "No .. if anything Dad and Ruth laugh at me." he rolls his eyes at his sister's teasing. "You'll have growth spurts too, you know. And I WILL get better at it. Just watch." he tells her, but then he nods and moves his piece. "Our house and us, too." he bites his lip and looks at Hayley again. "At my old school everyone got dropped off by drivers or their parents. We lived in a big 7 bedroom penthouse. We all had our own rooms and ..." he shrugged. "It kinda sucked." he tries not to be embarrassed at his good fortune and money.
Marcus chuckles at sibling banter and gives Miranda the side eye right back. "I'll accept Green ... but shrewd trading" he smirks. "Even if I could always consider it an attempt to bribe a police officer .. which is sort of illegal..." he moves his piece to the starting point.
Levi laughs at all of it, he's in such a good mood. "Yes, we have had a pretty sheltered life." he admits. "But we're learning ... and we have people now to teach us to do things ourselves.
Kira sits back and listens. She even chuckles at the banter about how the rich folks were learning to be like everyone else.
Bertha chuckles in her sleep .. she's more resting, but it's all good.
Esther shrugs. "Why get upset over a broken dish? You can always buy a new one, even second-hand." she chuckles. "Not that any of my grandkids learned about second-hand before they moved here." the teases a little bit in her turn.
Miranda had wiggles her eyebrows at her brother and then cast a slightly irritated look at thor dad when he mentioned their mom’s name too. She sighed and shook it off and then pretended to look shocked at Marcus as he suggests she’s bribing a police officer. “I would never!” She jokes at Daniel’s saying being rich and pampered sucked “Oh yes that sounds terrible Daniel…..” she laughs and then looks at Ruth “I do get how it would feel kinda stuck up. Hey you’re the youngest. You get first roll right?”
Ruth nods “I’ve been feeling like our lives were fake...for a long time. I know we’re lucky to have all the things we have and had….more there than here. But I felt like…..well and maybe it was because my mom sheltered me a lot too...but i felt like we weren’t really living in the world. Now I feel like we’re part of it and I like it. Even the dishes.” She rolls the dice and counts out her moves and then smiles “OK so I made it to the lounge and I’d like to make a suggestion.” she peeks at her cards and then looks up. She had handed out the little checklists and pencils already “I think it’s Miss Scarlett the harlot…” She grins at Miranda and then Romeo “In the lounge...with the candlestick.” She looks around waiting to be proven wrong.
Another text comes in for Joseph from Vera:
Well it’s good that my kitchen sink is by the window. I’ll keep you in mind oh dish lover. BTW I just won Mario Kart. I am a cool Grandma today.
Hayley blinks at Daniel and then tries to look polite. Their lives were so different. She’s not sure how to respond to him so she just gives him a slow nod but lets her foot slide to touch his, letting him know without words that she still liked him even if they came from different places. She wondered if he’d ever understand her family though. She tunes into what Miranda says and then even more to what Ruth says.Maybe he would get it, not from the scary stuff, just from feeling apart from the world, like she did hiding her awful truth from everyone. When Ruth makes her suggestion she smiles a bit and goes to her cards “I’m supposed to show you right? If I have one of the things you said Ruth?” Ruth nods at her and so Hayley sneakily shows Ruth a card.
“You can show everyone if we want a faster game….but it’s kinda more fun if we don’t all know like a race.” She turns over her check list and makes a little mark and then flips it “Up to you Hayley.”
Hayley thinks about it and nods “Well I’ll just show you this time.” Hayley had shown Ruth the candlestick but no one else had seen it.
Natalie shifts a bit in her seat “I have to pee. I’m shocked it’s taken so long.” She knows the layout of these houses now since she’s met a few clients in their homes “I’ll go upstairs.” She gives Kira’s shoulder a little pat as she passes her.
Jasper listens curiously to all the life skills learning and where they came from vs where they are with the lifestyle of the Samuels. He gets the sense Hayley will be more confused than his own kids. They haven’t been poor growing up but certainly not rich either. From what he saw of the Brown family, they live in poverty so this is the opposite. And there may be more factors with Craig Brown than just a lack of resources. He tries not to dwell on it. Levi is so happy and he’s happy to be with him “I’ll teach you anything you want…” He says before he thinks it through “I mean about housework…” He laughs, blushing a bit.
Romeo snorts. "You so would." he corrects. He looks at Daniel. "I bet a lot of times you wouldn't know if people liked you for you or because you had money and they knew it." then he looks back at Ruth and rolls his eyes. "You always blame me." he mocks.
Joseph is having a great time washing dishes and looks it. He hears his phone and dries his hands before looking at it, then replies.
I'd love to do your dishes. And you'll have to teach me to play video games sometime.
Daniel nods along with his sister. "Exactly. Mom wouldn't have liked some of the friends I have now. But also, I haven't heard from a single friend of mine from Vancouver, never mind Toronto." he feels the foot and taps it with his own. "Here, I know when people like me and when they don't."
Marcus watches the play and his own cards. He listens to the kids talk without interrupting.
Levi is still half watching his father. "Dad ... part of being normal is NOT working." he chides with a laugh. He leans into Jasper. "I know. I'm counting on it." he smirks at Jaspers correction. “Maybe vacuuming next.” he says in a low voice that doesn't carry to the kids.
Joseph looks at his son. "I have friends, you know." he insists and then looks at Levi and Jasper. "Boys. Honestly." he protests, but he laughs.
Kira listens to the conversation the kids are having. She remembers her time having things and her time with less than nothing. She leans forward and touches Grey Lady, who is sleeping.
Bertha is still catnapping. she adjusts herself and sticks her legs out.
Esther listens quietly as she watches Joseph wash and text. "Friends. Well, I like that idea." but she looks a little concerned. Then she looks at Jasper and Levi and just laughs at them. So playful.
Jasper puts an arm around Levi and leans into him with a chuckle “Behave yourself now….” He grins at him after and then kisses Levi lightly on the lips before turning to Joseph “Friends are good. All work and no play is bad for your health.” He smiles at Esther after.
Petra has not moved since she nodded off but she’s snoring ever so quietly now.
Ruth grins at Romeo as he teases her back. It was fun. Then she nods about people being fake when they knew your family had money. “It’s been kinda refreshing to come here where no one knew us...so the friends we’ve made are just real.” She hands the dice to Daniel “Clockwise. Mrs. White rolls next.” She hears laughing in the kitchen and glances over, Her brother and Jasper are being sweet and her father is laughing and then Saba. Things were good. She smiles at Kira and the sleeping dog. Natalie was still upstairs in the bathroom.
Hayley hears what everyone is saying about people being fake. She also hears Daniel say his mom wouldn’t have liked the friends he has now and she wonders if that means her. Was that bad? Was his mom nice? Did he miss her? Hayley sees the dice come Daniel’s way and she says quietly “I like you.” with a shy smile.
Miranda sees her father and Levi goofing around and has to smile. Then she looks at Romeo “Of course we blame you Romeo. You’re the Scarlett Harlot.” she nods at Daniel and Ruth “It’s good to keep it real.” she chuckles at Petra’s snoring “She snores like a cartoon.” Then she overhears Hayley says she likes Daniel and gives them a sweet look “You two are adorbs….”
A text reply comes to Joseph’s phone from Vera that says”
Consider it a deal. Going out for a walk now with Ronja so I may be slow to reply for a bit. Love you.
Romeo glances over at his father and Levi, before giving his attention back to the game. His sister keeps teasing and he plucks at his tshirt as if snapping the collar of a fine shirt. "I'm Romeo, baby." he preens.
Joseph points to Jasper. "What he said. I've decided I am not going to tie giving closing arguements." he slips the phone back in his pocket and goes back to his dishes.
Daniel smiles becuas ehtie friends here in Alexandra are very real. He holds out his hand for the dice in the same moment Hayley quietly says she likes him. He fumbles the dice and they bounce all over the table top. As he picks themup to roll, he smiles back and nods at Hayley.
Marcus watches Daniel fumble the dice with a slight grin. He doesn't want to bring attention to Hayley and Daniel because kids crushes were so fragile and in this case it was truly a rich and poor sort of a deal.
Levi hugs Jasper and then hears his father. "That's good to hear, Dad. And you need a good golf buddy or whatever. Not that there's a golf club here, but you know what I mean."
Bertha clears her throat in her sleep and turns her head.
Esther looks between Joseph and Levi. "As long as it's not a woman under 50, Joseph." she sighs. "If it IS a woman."
Joseph looks exasperated. "Mom ... my friend is over 50. I swear. Those days are over. I promise. No more women in my life half my age." He smirks at her. “How about YOU?”
Esther mock huffs. “I am proud of being a cougar, young man.” she retorts. “But I suppose you have a point. I’ll stick to over 40’s. I promise.” and she playfully pokes him in his side.
Miranda makes a gagging sound at Romeo and then laughs and watched Daniel fumble the dice “D’oh.” She gives Hayley a little smile “You see what you do to boys…..it's a gift...some days…” she snorts.
Hayley sees Daniel fumble too and blushes as she hears Miranda’s words. She doesn’t really want to “do” anything to boys but if that was because of her she is a bit flattered. She does lean back a bit, letting Daniel have space to roll.
Ruth laughs at Romeo and Miranda and then watches Danile with Hayley after Miranda’s comment with curiosity. This is a new side to her brother she’s seeing. It’s possible he’d liked girls for years as he had complained about the girls not being in school with him before. She can’t help but overhear the conversation in the kitchen though because they are not quiet. Saba was teasing his father about women needing to be over 50 and he said his friend was over 50? What friend? Now she just has to ask “Daddy what friend is over 50?” But then her father turns on Saba and what she says makes her mouth hang open as she stares. “Saba…” She caught the gist of what a cougar was from the context but still muttered “I need to look up what a cougar is…..”
Miranda was looking towards the kitchen about Esther’s declarations and mouthing “Wow…” and then she snapped her gaze to Ruth “Do NOT google image search that! You will be scarred Ruth. A cougar is an older woman who likes younger men...in case that wasn’t clear.”
Natalie was coming back into the room as the definition of cougar was given “Just to be clear….I’m only a few years older than Marcus.” She winks at him and then goes to sit by Kira and whispers to her “who were they talking about?”
Jasper just laughs into Levi “Oh I feel like we’ve opened a few cans of worms here…..wow Esther. You go. You do you…..and you know the rest is none of our business.” He laughs again.
Romeo grins over at Daniel. The conversation suddenly turns to cougars and he laughs, dropping his head in his hand.
Joseph hears Ruth and is opening his mouth to reply when Esther gets questioned. He simply chuckles and continues to do the dishes, giving the chore far more attention than it deserved.
Daniel recovers at a lovely deep shade of red. He rolls and blinks. "Twelve. I guess you're good luck for me, Hayley." and then his father starts talking about not dating anyong under 50 and his grandmother proclaims herself a couger. He shakes his head. "This is my family." he tells Hayley. "Now's your chance to escape." he looks at his sister. "Do NOT look that up." he orders, then points at Miranda. "See. There. That." Then his head whiplashes towards Jasper and his grandmother. "Could you NOT do you .. or anyone else .. please? Because we haven't got a shrink in the family and I feel my psyche crumbling over here."
Marcus was chuckling until Natalie came down and announced the was only a few years older than he was. Then he laughs and ulls her close. "Esther." he tells her.
Levi butirs his face in Jasper's shoulder, laughing. He calms only long enough to lift his lips to Jaspers ears and growl like a couger. After all, Jasper IS 15 years older.
Bertha is blissfully asleep, but will possibly be anoyed once she's caught up on the goings on.
Esther giglesaniel ... don't worry." she tells him in her most grandmotherly tone. "I won't be having any more babies. I promise."
Joseph fumbles a frying pan onto the floor. "Mom!"
Jasper was almost falling over laughing at Daniel’s sort of and disclaimer. Then he hears Levi’s growl and gets the joke directed at him with a look of jovial disbelielf “Oh fuck you...you’re lucky you’re so cute Levi. Do NOT call me a cougar.” He’s laughing though because their age difference does put him in the category. Then Esther calls out Joseph and he drops a frying pan and it’s even funnier.
Now Miranda hits the floor laughing “Oh my god you guys...I’m dying over here…..” she slaps the floor and then gasps for air from laughing “I need more oxygen…” She pushes herself up and walks to the window and opens it, still laughing as she calls out “Help us Alexandra, we’re trapped in a house full of cougars!”
There’s laughter from outside on the walk as a voice calls back “Should we call the vet clinic or animal control?” The voice might be familiar to a few people in the house, Joseph especially but also to a degree Marcus, and any of the students who heard her on morning announcements at school until Levar Hawkins-Domino took over after he was elected student council president. It’s Ms. Fisher.
Miranda turns back to the kitchen “Of course you’re one Dad…” She teases and then she looks back out the window “Oh hi Ms. Fisher! We’re all fine in here. I’m just being dramatic.”
Ruth squishes in at the window and waves, smiling “Hi Ms. Fisher. Hi……” She’s not sure of the other lady’s name but she’s seen her in the school.
“Mrs. Burrows.” Ronja calls out “Happy Thanksgiving kids. Be careful of those wild animals.”
Somehow the two ladies outside getting it wrong was all the funnier to Miranda and she slinks back down laughing “Ok...thank you….”
Petra wakes with a start as everyone gets so loud “Everyone’s so boisterous. What did I miss?”
Ruth keeps chatting out the window. She likes Ms. Fisher “No they mean cougars like older ladies that like younger men. Apparently I’m not supposed to google it.” She’s secretly a little happy Saba is cracking down on her father and the age of his woman after all the terrible things the bullies said to her about how much older he was than her mother.
An eruption of giggling from outside happens after and Vera’s voice rings out “Probably best not to. Always ask your father before using the internet.” She only half jokes.
Natalie shakes her head and laughs and leans into Marcus before looking back at Jasper “How old are you? I mean i know you have teenagers….but you have a young face.” she smirks at he and Levi and then looks from Joseph to Esther to Kira “Who knew this would be the silliest house in town today.”
Hayley had blushed at Daniel’s words and then laughed and shook her head “Not running. This is the most fun dinner I’ve ever been to and I like them and the jokes.” She admits. The entire conversation was hilarious and amazing. She stands for a moment to see who’s out front and then waves “Oh it is Ms. Fisher and Mrs. Burrows walking by. I don’t think they can see me from back here.” She sits back down.
Romeo nearly falls over laughing too. "Oh my god. Dad ... No!"
Joseph laughs and then hears a voice from outside. He picks up the pot and continues to ash it. Why shouldn't he? Vera Fiaher is publically a friend, at best. No need to rush, of course. He faguely hears Vera saying hte word 'father' to he thinks Ruth and almost fumbles another pot, but saves it.
Daniel smiles at Hayley. "Well, I'm glad to know that." he smiles softly. "Oh ... yea .. my .. we have a big family. My oldest brother is 40 ... there 9 of us. Lots of kids." he realizes he can't remember if Hayley knew how big his family was.
Marcus does't place the voice until Ruth calls it out of the open window. Ruth very bluntly sets the record straight and he leans into Natalie as she leans into him.
Levi looks at Jasper. "Fine then, Tiger." and he kisses him quickly on the lips.
Bertha wakes and looks around at all of the amusement, but only smiles, getting part of it. This was why she hated having to take naps.
Esther chuckles. "That is EXACTLY what a cougar is and you girls will appreciate it more after you've grown a bit, eh."
Miranda exhales a few times trying to regain self control and finally does but she’s wiping tears from laughing so hard “Oh my god…” She drags herself to standing “I need to pee…” She wanders into the hallway pointing around “There’s a bathroom on this floor right?”
Vera is trying to herd Ronja to keep moving now “Well you kids have a Happy Thanksgiving. Bye now.”
But her efforts are thwarted by two of the Brates cats, Fred and George as they come and brush past Ronja’s legs and snuggle her “Oh you sweet babies...I wish my husband wasn’t so allergic.” She bends down and pets them and they purr and purr.
Vera sighs and stands there awkwardly. She does of course pet George as he comes to her because he is very sweet.
Ruth calls out to Miranda “Yeah right by the door.” Then she looks back “Oh I love those orange ones. So much nicer than the black one that bites.” Now Ruth hops from the window and goes straight past Miranda out the front door to visit the cats leaving the door wide open in her haste.
The bathroom door shuts behind Miranda.
Hayley looks at Daniel with wide eyes “Nine of you? Where did you all sleep? I have one sister I share a room with and my two brothers share. My parents sleep in the living room on a pullout sofa,” She says it all and then feels like it might sound awful to Daniel and looks a bit self conscious.
Natalie smiles at Bertha and Petra “We got louder, sorry. But you two are making me want a nap. We seem to have lost Ruth to some cats.”
Jasper kisses Levi back and grins “Tiger...I like that better.” He keeps his arm around Levi but eases off as they were getting a little flirty for in front of the family. Joseph is having a hell of a time with the pots it seems “Hey Joseph you ok? Is Esther making you flustered?” He laughs “I thought it was Daniel who dropped the dishes.” He smirks at Esther.
Romeo stands and waves at the people walking outside, then turns his attention to his father again. It feels like he can never get enough of seeing his father in love.
Levi nods and relaxes a bit, looking at his father. "Yea, Dad. I'm not sure you should have that much fun at dishes. But... yea .. Soba ... You're beautiful but I feel the need to run all of your dates for their backgrounds now."
Joseph chuckles and covers. "Soap is slippery, son." he argues. "And Daniel has all my grace and style. Let's just hope he can stick to one spouse." he puts the pot in he drainer and hears that uth has gone outside after a cat. "I'll get her." he dries his hands on his 'Oy Vey' apron and comes outside.
Daniel shrugs. "Well, we had like 7 bedrooms and that was after I was born, but me, Ruth and the three above me are closer than Levi and the brothers above him. Levi was 18 when I was born and 21 when Ruth was born, so he was out of the penthouse. There's a big gap between Levi and Immanuel. 13 years." he explains. But he smiles. "I think I would have liked sharing a room with my brothers ... But that sounds crowded. I mean I like Levi's apartment and it's small. At least to me. I feel like you might be closer than me and some of my siblings. Cause there so many of us with so much time between us." he hear
Marcus winces. "Sorry G-Mama." he looks at Natalie. "You good, baby? We can go home, you know."
Bertha blows out a breath. "First of all, I wasn't asleep, I was resting my eyes. And daydreaming. I just wasnt paying attention is all."
Esther chuckles. "Well Joseph my dear son tried to get on me about being a cougar and the kids wanted to know what it was and ... oh .. you didn't miss anything." she chuckles and heads out with Joseph to wrangle Ruth.
Ruth is now outside standing between Ms. Fisher and Mrs. Burrows holding Fred like he’s a baby with his feet sticking up. Fred looks delighted and keeps closing his eyes like he’s basking in the attention. She sees her father and grandmother coming and beams “Look….he likes it!”
Vera sees Joseph and an older woman walking out of the house and towards them now and smiles warmly, but there’s a bit of extra warmth in her eyes for Joseph she tries to tone down, maybe unsuccessfully “Hi there. Happy Thanksgiving.” She greets to them both. “Sounds like a fun celebration in the Samuels house.” She doesn’t know the older woman so she introduces herself “Hi I’m Vera Fisher. Vice Principal at the Alexandra Academy. And this is Ronja Burrows, our Resource Department head, and my daughter in law. Ronja this is Joseph Samuels….” And she waits for the woman’s name.
Ronja smiles “Hi. Happy Thanksgiving. It’s a cat day….little ones out here...cougars in the house from what Ruth told us.” She laughs “I have three kids. I get it. Nice to meet you both.”
Joseph walks outside to see Ruth holding a big old orange cat who doesn’t seem to mind how it’s being held. “I see.” he tells his youngest. He looks at Vera and smiles. “Happy Thanksgiving Ms Fisher and Mrs Burrows. A pleasure to meet you.” he means Ronja, as he and Vera have met. He motions to Esther. “My mother-in-law, Esther Fogel.”
Esther looks at the cat, but then closely at both this vice-principal and her daughter in law the admin. “A pleasure to meet you both. Happy Thanksgiving.”
Vera keeps it very professional since Joseph called her Ms. Fisher “Thank you Mr. Samuels. I return the sentiment.” It was the strangest way to speak to a man she was madly in love with but she did it. Then she turns to Esther “So nice to meet you Mrs. Fogel.” She smiles at Ruth and the happy cat in her arms “I don’t think you can take him home dear but he’s very affectionate.”
Ronja is also professional “Mrs. Fogel.” She chuckles about the cat. “My Astrid is negotiating for a rabbit hutch since they can live outside.”
Ruth’s eyes light up “Oh! They can can’t they?” She looks at her father with big eyes “Rabbits are easy pets I bet.”
Vera cringes a bit and smiles apologetically at Joseph “Oh now we’ve planted an idea. Sorry Joseph.” She slips on her formality. She looks awkwardly at her cup.
Ronja snorts “Sorry.” She elbows Vera “You did tell me to shut up and drink my juice didn’t you?” She teases and sips.
Ruth now looks at the cups “What kind of juice are you drinking?”
She’s directing it mostly at Vera who she knows but Ronja answers. “Oh it’s a yucky one. Very sour grape.”
Ruth looks a little irritated. She feels like Mrs. Burrows is talking to her like she’s a baby.
Vera catches the look from Ruth and tells the truth “ You’re too old and clever to buy that aren’t you?.” She smiles “It’s wine. Don’t tell on us ok?”
Ruth looks at Vera like she appreciates being trusted and acknowledged for her intelligence “I won’t. They won’t either.” She smiles at her father and Saba but right now she feels like Vera is her visitor and she’s still holding a sweet kitty.
Joseph grins. “I suppose they can.” he agrees. “How fascinating.” he glances at Vera when she calls him Joseph. He looks at her daughter in law wondering the same and then Very admits it is wine. “Nothing to tell.” he smiles. “The children drink wine at Shabbat and on the holy holidays. Just a touch of course, until they are grown. My youngest son on his bar mitzvah and Ruth will be allowed at and after her bat mitzvah in a couple of years.”
Esther chuckles about the rabbits and then when Joseph explains about the alcohol and knowing she is dealing with school administrators, but not of a Jewish school explains a bit more. “It’s Jewish law. When a child is 13 they are a man or.” she nods at Ruth. “Woman. So they get more privileges.” she almost appears to fear these women will judge them or think they let their kids go hog wild at 13. “But they are still monitored, of course.”
Vera looks a little contrite as Joseph looks at her after she calls him by his first name. Then she smiles about the wine and listens with interest about the Jewish coming of age cultural practices. “I was aware of some of that but not the full scope.” She looks between Joseph and Esther “I think it’s a beautiful way to help young people make that transition between stages in their lives. Honour it and celebrate it. And of course you’re still there to guide them. I mean I suppose the secular way is to tell them they’re old enough to be unsupervised and hand them an iPhone.” She laughs “Into the fire without hesitation or reflection.” She looks at Ruth and smiles “It makes sense to me.”
Ruth nods at Vera “That’s a good way to put it. Some of it’s still a bit scary. And I do already have a phone.” She looks a bit sheepish because she’s aware it’s a privilege to have one.
Ronja nods in agreement “It’s an interesting place where culture and religion meet. And I agree it’s good to mark those milestones significantly. Give kids that feeling of purpose and connection. Thank you for explaining it.”
Joseph smiles, because it’s just not easy for him not to smile today, especially with the extra added treat of seeing Vera. “Yes, the kids all got phones at a young age, I suppose. We were just saying earlier there are good and bad sided to our success. But we have also learned that some things effect us all.” he is thinking of the pandemic. “I suppose for us it was having to have Daniel’s Bar Mitzvah virtually. He was not amused and we never had a party for him afterwards.”
Esther nods. “But when that time comes you will be ready, Ruth. I have faith in you.” she looks between Ronja and Joseph and sighs. “Ah yes, poor Daniel. But I supposed he could have a party here?” she shakes her head. “Please forgive me, ladies. My mind sometimes just takes off in random directions.”
Vera looks encouraging “You could still have a party and invite his new school friends. He’d probably love it. Especially if he feels like he missed it before.” She smiles at Esther “I do that all the time too. More after age 50...we’re just storing too much wisdom perhaps.” She chuckles.
Ronja smiles and nods and sips away at her wine.
Ruth has a little lightbulb go on in her head. Ms Fisher was over 50? Didn’t Saba and Dad talk about that? And Dad had some “friend”? She liked Ms. Fisher and thought she’d make a better “friend “ if it had to go there. Now Ruth boldly turns on the interrogation after setting down a now squirming orange cat “Ms. Fisher, you don’t look over 50. Do you have a husband? A boyfriend?” She thinks about Levi and Jasper “A wife or a girlfriend?”
Vera had taken a sip of her wine and half choked at Ruth’s questions “Goodness Ruth. You just go diving right in.” She feels her cheeks blushing “I thank you for the compliment. I have been married twice. To men, specifically. I divorced from the first and then I was widowed.” She has to chuckle at the child’s curiosity.
Ruth nods and looks at her father. “My dad’s divorced and widowed too.” She announces. Now making it obvious why she was asking. “In case anyone was wondering.”
Ronja starts cracking up “ Subtlety is not your thing Ruth.” She looks between Ruth, Esther and Joseph and then back at Vera, highly amused and noticing the blushing.
Now Vera really blushes “Ruth....” She looks everywhere but at Joseph. “I suspect your father can sort out his own social life. But thank you for being so informative?” She has to laugh at the irony now and she does finally look at Joseph with an almost resigned smile “We should let you all get back to your family.”
Joseph nods. “That might not be such a bad idea. Or some kind of double thng for his birthday in the spring.” he looks thoughtful until Ruth starts in matchmaking. He shakes his head at Ronja. “I don’t think she can even spell subtlety, never mind practice it.” he sighs and looks at his daughter. “I’ve already been set up on one date at the grocers, Ruth. A nice lady but not for me. Plus, I’m not sure how professional it would look.” then he can’t resist. “And .. I thought you of all people would be against me dating.” he realizes Vera is trying to give them an out to get back to their guests.
Esther laughs at her granddaughter in surprise. “Oh my god, Ruth.” but she can’t help but laugh. “And I thought the same as your father. You and Daniel … your father hasn’t been legally divorced very long from your mother …” she blows out a breath. “Maybe we should discuss this later. When we don’t have a dozen guests?”
Ruth is unabashed and smiles at everyone “I’m not against you dating. I just want to help you pick people I actually like.” She smiles at Vera now “You don’t talk to kids like they’re clueless and that’s important. But yes Saba…” She looks as Esther now “Later.”
Vera just laugh coughs and shakes her head “This sounds like a family discussion for another time perhaps. And no Ruth...I don’t think children are clueless at all. Maybe a bit too clever for their own good sometimes though.” She starts to step away and smiles at Joseph and Esther “Well good day and good luck.” And because Ruth has sort of broken the ice a bit without realizing it she gives Joseph one last sideways grin “And nice apron Mr. Samuels.” She comments as she takes a step “See you at school Ruth.”
Ronja laughs silently through the whole conversation and gives a little wave as she starts to head off with Vera “Cheers!”
Joseph can’t help but smile at Ruth. She liked Vera and that counted for a lot with him. Vera compliments his apron and he returns the smile. “Thank you Ms … Vera.” she got one, he could too. “Good day.”
Esther laughs and offers her granddaughter a side hug. She knows the talk will happen .. but they did have guests. “Good day to you both. Take care.”
As Vera and Ronja get out of earshot down the sidewalk Ronja looks back and then leans in to Vera to say something and Vera looks at her in mild alarm and then playfully swats her before they both burst out laughing about something.
Ruth watches the two ladies as she leans into her grandmother’s hug and sighs “She really is a nice lady.” Then she wiggles out of Esther’s grip and gives her father a cheeky look before bounding back up the front steps and bursting into the house only to almost run into Marcus and Natalie and Petra and Bertha. They all seem to be putting on their shoes and Kira and the Grey lady are waiting behind them like they’re ready to go as well “Aww...you’re all going already?” Ruth pines at them.
Natalie yawns as she pulls on her second boot “Sorry kiddo. I need a nap. Thanks for the fun.”
Petra gives Ruth a little pat on the head “Be a good girl. Help your Saba and your father. Although I think the dishes are all done so maybe you can sweep.” Petra was all about chores building character. She takes her hand away and ties up her red high top sneakers.
In the living room, Miranda has been showing strange music videos on her phone to Romeo, Daniel and Hayley while they waited to resume the board game. “These guys...I mean it’s not new but it never gets old...they have one with zero gravity in a plane too that’s mind blowing. And they did recycle the paper…”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgmxMuW6Fsc
And after that one she starts another. “This one’s older but I like the song better….”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MejbOFk7H6c
Hayley sort of leans the side of her body into Daniel’s to see Miranda’s phone screen looking amazed at the music videos “Those must have cost a fortune and taken months to set up….”
Jasper is in the kitchen watching his beloved wash all the dishes and drying as he can. He has a dish towel over one shoulder as he waits for things to dry but they’re almost done them all.
Marcus smiles at Ruth. "We'll see you again, I'm sure." he tells Ruth as she seems disappointed to see them go.
Bertha smiles at Ruth and explains. "You get a bit more tired when you get older. And besides, we have old lady things to do." She slips into her shoes and heads out with her family.
Esther chuckles at her granddaughter and watches her go back into the house. She looks at Joseph. "At least she was distracted from asking you for cats or rabbits?" she offers. "Oh girls .. and Marcus .. you have a wonderful evening and thank you for coming."
Joseph chuckles at Esther, but doesn't talk about how he dodged the pet bullet. "Oh, yes. Have a good evening and thank you for coming. This has been a great Thanksgiving, I think."
Kira and the Grey Lady are the last to leave of the big group. She pauses at Esther and Joseph. “Thank you. I … I had a nice time.” she looks at Ruth. “And thank you, too.” and she is gone down and across the street.
Daniel is leaning back on his arms as Hayley leans into his side. He almost has his arm around her, but he doesn't have his arm around her. He is a happy humn lounge. "Where do you find this? I mean ... what the ...'' he is amazed.
Romeo watches the video and looks at Daniel. "Never ask where my sister finds anything. That is one of the things that should remain unsolved. It can't be good, wherever it was." he intones.
Levi is washing the rest of the dishes and handing them to Jasper to dry. Many have left, leaving them with mostly family ... Jaspers family and his family. And, of course, Daniel's little friend. He looks around as his sister, father and grandmother come in. "I was wondering if you got kidnapped by one of the Alexandra Ghosts." he'd never heard of such a thing, but you never knew in Alexandra.
Ruth had said her goodbyes to Marcus and Natalie, Petra and Bertha and then Kira and the Grey Lady. It was a very interesting group of people in their house today, and a dog! She’s about to walk into the living room when Levi’s question distracts her and she drifts over to he and Jasper “We didn’t see any ghosts but we visited some nice cats and our school’s vice principal, Ms. Fisher and resource teacher Mrs. Burrows. I tried to set Dad up on a date with Ms. Fisher but I’ve been told we need to talk about that later.” She’s loud enough to hear through the house even though she’s not trying to be loud. “And I’m hoping to get a rabbit hutch.”
Jasper starts laughing at Ruth’s precociousness “Matchmaking for your father and rabbits in the same day? You’re having a busy thanksgiving Ruth.” He grins oever at Levi and then at Joseph and Esther. He’d called out his farewells earlier to those heading out.
Miranda smiles and shrugs after the last video “I like weird shit. You know on YouTube when you find one thing it leads to the next…..it’s like an algorithm.” She leaned sideways and waved “Bye Alien baby family and cool old ladies!” she had called. Then she overheard Ruth and stifled a giggle “Oh my…..Ms. Fisher’s quite the dish though. I think I have a girl crush on her clothes. She’s a great dresser.”
Hayley had looked back and smiled as people left “Bye…” Then she looked at Daniel to see how he felt about what his sister was saying and finally back to Miranda “Girl crush?”
Miranda snorted “Well I don’t think I’m a lesbian...not that that’s bad….bit on the bi spectrum maybe...but no in this case strictly the clothes. I mean she’s hot...but she’s old right? And I do like boys….despite most of the ones I’ve gone out with turning into morons.”
Esther chuckles as she overhears Ruth and the children. Ruth was very ... animated and it felt like she wasn't afraid of anything now that she was away from that school she hated. But she says nothing and lets her son and grandsons deal with her.
Joseph moves into the kitchen. "Oh, you finished tham." he sounds a bit disappointed. "Thank you." he tells them politely. Ruth explains what happened outside and he sighs. "So all I have to do is date Ms. Fisher and get you a hutch full of rabbits and you will be happy?" he snaps his fingers. "Oh and have an in person bar mitzvah party for Daniel."
Levi blinks and laughs. "Ruth I look forward to the day you take over Canada." he teases and blinks at it all rea;y. "The .. principal?" he blinks/ He's not really met her, but he was on the list of contacts to call if there were an emergency with one of his siblings. Then he smiles. "That would be a great belated present, Danial. What do you think?"
Daniel is blinking about Miranda's 'girl crush' when he hears about a bar mitzvah party for him. He turns. "Really? That'd be so cool. I'd heel the numbers down, Dad. I promise." he looks at Romeo, Miranda and Hayley. "My bar mitzvah happened just after the lockdowns started last spring so mine was virtual. I did it in the living room." he rolls his eyes. "And I never got a party."
Romeo laughs at his sister. "If you just want her clothes that doesn't make you a lesbian." he rolls his eyes and the looks at Daniel. "Congrats?" he blows out a breath. "I confess .. not sure what a bar mitzvah even is...."
Ruth gives her father a cheeky look, feeling like he’s placating her now “Only if you mean it on both counts.” She beams at Daniel “See? You can have a party?” She shoots one of her intense looks at Levi “Oh I will don’t you worry.” She hears Miranda and puts a finger in the air like she’s ticking off another box “Ms. Fisher does wear pretty clothes. Another point in her favour,” She nods “I’ll start a list. I’ll even ask her what kind of music and movies she likes…..and food. Then we can really see how well matched she is for Dad.” She heads back to the livingroom and looks at the board game “Oh shoot Marcus left. Do we want to divide his cards or scrap the game and do something else? We can peek at who it was…” She sits on her knees by the coffee table on the other side of Romeo.
Miranda snorts at the ongoing matchmaking and nods at Romeo “Yeah. I think i just wish I was a lesbian because boys suck.” She looks at Daniel and Romeo “Present company excluded and no offense.” She thinks about the bar mitzvah thing “Isn’t that the boy becomes a man thing….for Jewish culture?” She looks at Hayley “You’re dating a man then.” She teases.
Hayley looks happy for Daniel because he’s happy about the idea of a party “Belated congrats.” She nods with Romeo “I don’t know much about it either.” Then Ruth goes on about more matchmaking and making lists and she shakes her head and laughs at her. “I’m cool either way on the board game.” Miranda’s declaration that she’s dating a man makes her blush fiercely and look at the hem of her dress.
Jasper chuckles at Ruth and looks at Joseph “I hope the vice principal has a sense of humour about being interrogated on her likes and dislikes by a ten year old. I mean she works with kids so I’m assuming she does.” He looks kindly at Daniel “Hey congrats and that sounds great.” Then he gives Miranda a bit of a confused and concerned look. She hadn’t talked about any heartbreaks since they moved here. Where was this anger at boys coming from all of a sudden? He pulls the dish towel off his shoulder and hangs it over the oven door handle looking thoughtful.
Joseph chuckles at his daughter. "Let me think on the whole pet thing. If I had to choose, it would probably be a cat over a rabbit." he gets his own cheeky look. "Rabbits aren't kosher, after all." then Ruth makes a list and he comes very close to confessing all right then and there, but he is curious to know if Ruth would choose fr him to date Vera. If she does, then it might be a nice surprise to know it had already happened. And if the didn't ... well ... that talk for that time.
Esther laughs lightly. "Let the children decide who you date. I like that idea. But I do like Vera, she seems very sweet and mature." she emphasises the final word. Then she looks at Miranda. "It is indeed. A boy becomes a man at 13 by Jewish law." and she looks at Ruth. "And a GIRL becomes a WOMAN at around 12."
Levi grins. "See. Daniel gets a party, Ruth gets a cat and a girlfriend for Dad." he looks at his father. "Would have been nice if you'd let me decide on your last two wives. But then I wouldn't have such great siblings." he looks at Jasper a bit and he looks a little worried. Possibly at what Miranda said, but he knows what Miranda has been through and hasn't told Jasper about it. The only secret he is keeping from his love.
Daniel grins. "Thanks." he looks at Miranda and then at Heley. "Wel, a man by Jewish law. Canada still says I'm not old enough to do pretty much anything. But ... I think I could still take you for ice cream next weekend ... you know .. if you wanted to ... before it gets TOO cold?"
Romeo snorts. "Well Madame Prime Minister and Fashion Lesbian and Man Dater. We could watch a movie? Man Dater Hayley, pull out the cards and tell us who dunnit." he elbows Daniel a bit. "That whole man thing sounds like a mixed blessing to me."
Hayley smiles shyly back at Daniel “I like ice cream. We can do that.” She was listening to all the Jewish cultural stuff but Daniel asking her out won her attention. Then she giggles at Romeo “alright...if it’s mandated I should check the envelope.” She’s getting comfortable enough to actually joke in this room of people now. She liked it here. Hayley reaches for the little envelope with her small thin hand and pulls out the three cards. “It was….Miss Scarlett in the library...with the rope.” She looks briefly at Romeo since he was representing Miss Scarlett and shrugs.”Apparently it was you Romeo.”
Ruth beams at Saba “Girls go first because we mature faster?” She liked what Saba said about letting the children choose who her father dates but she doesn’t want to overplay her hand on the matter just yet. “Cats over rabbits...ok.” She smiles a bit. She hears what Levi says but doesn’t know how to feel about it. Her mother was a complicated entity to her still. Then Daniel asks Hayley to go out for ice cream and she smiles as Hayley says yes. Ice cream flavours. She would have to ask Ms. Fisher her favourite ice cream flavour. When the cards reveal the killer, weapon and room Ruth holds out her cards now face up “I knew it was the library….I got all rooms this time. Miss Scarlett…”she teases Romeo.
Miranda makes a face at the Fashion Lesbian label “I don’t like it worded like that. I feel like I’d have to get a more butch haircut and start eating more hummous….not to stereotype.” she grins about the girls going first in the bar bat traditions “Of course women mature faster. We’re totally kick ass.” She looks at Ruth, Hayley and then Esther and then reacts to the murder msytery reveal “Miss Scarlott the harlot! Mr. Boddy couldn’t please her so he had to die…..” She looks dramatically at Romeo and mimes a noose around her neck and pretends to die “I would have figured you more of a poisoner….with the name Romeo.” She calls out from the floor as she lays there like a corpse.
Jasper smiles at Levi and then watches the antics of the kids. Miranda was still Miranda, whatever her life lessons were with boys. He just wished she’d tell him if there was something to tell. Of course Duncan had kept his secret earlier too. He hoped to god Romeo would just keep being blunt and honest all the way through. Teenage life was complicated. But he chuckles in the end and then sighs.
Romeo rolls his eyes at his sister. "Own it if you're going to be it." he tells her. Then he reacts to the reveal. "Because of course it was me." he scoffs. "Are either of you planning to be a lawyer, because I think I might sue Clue for defamation." he ponts at Ruth. "You should be my lawyer. After all .." he motions to himself. "This body cannot possibly look good in Miss Scarlet's dress. I was CLEARLY framed."
Daniel beams at having his offer accepted. Their first real date. He is listening to the adults, but keeping most of his thoughts to himself.
Esther grins at Ruth. "Indeed we do." and she winks at Joseph. She liked this island more every second, it seemed.
Joseph listens in on the kids and can't help chuckle when young Romeo threatens to sue.
Levi laughs when Romeo makes the threat of a lawsuit. He catches Jasper's sigh and moves to his side, taking his hand. "Ours is a beautiful family, isn't it." he declares.
No comments:
Post a Comment