Chapter Two

After I had deposited my brother's bag in his bedroom, I made my way down to the kitchen to see if Ma needed any help with her meal. As expected, she was bustling about, talking loudly to Richard who was sat in the other room, most likely nursing a beer. I could practically hear him rolling his eyes as he answered every single one of our mother's questions and I let a few giggles slip past my lips. Her head snapped in my direction and without a word, she pointed to the stack of plates on the counter and then gestured to the dining room. I nodded and grabbed the plates. Her eyes followed me into the other room where I promptly began to set the table for dinner, not daring to make a single sound. I was apparently on thin enough ice as it is.

When the last knife hit the table, Ma glided into the dining room, holding a bowel of potatoes and a serving spoon, "Clara, go tell your father and the boys to come sit at the table. It's time to eat."

Placing my hand on her shoulder, I nodded and leaned up to peck her cheek, "Of course, Ma." She went back into the kitchen to grab the rest of the food and I went into the back room to see Richard telling some story to our father. I leaned against the door frame and just listened and watched for a minute. It felt so surreal to have my big brother sitting here again and even though I knew it wasn't going to last, I felt a happiness spreading through me. My eyes moved over the room and stopped on Daniel Jackson. He was sitting next to Richard, quietly listening to his story, a small smile on his face. He seemed to be a quiet man, but he was very handsome. My eyes traced the line of his jaw before settling on his own eyes, which were now looking directly at me. I straightened immediately and stepped into the room, clearing my throat, "Food's ready." The other two men in the room turned to me and nodded as they stood from their seats. Pops and Richard walked past me, into the dining room, but Daniel stood next to me and motioned for me to go in front of him. I gave him a small smile and stepped through the doorway, Daniel following behind me. Once we were in the room, Richard motioned Daniel to the seat between him and Pops, who was in his usual spot at the head of the table. Ma was at the other end and I took my regular spot in the middle of one of the sides, Richard and Daniel across from me. Meaningless chatter fell over the table as dishes were passed around and food was scooped onto plates. Once all the food was sorted and everyone was situated, we picked up our utensils, ready to dig in, but I stopped when I noticed that Daniel had not picked up his fork yet. Instead his head was bowed, and he was mumbling quietly to himself. I put my fork down and placed my hands in my lap, waiting until an 'amen' passed Daniel's lips before picking up my fork again. It was fairly quiet as we all started eating, most of the noise being that of silverware clanging and food being chewed.

Ma continued to cut her food into small pieces when she looked up at our guest, "So Daniel, are you married?"

Daniel looked up from his plate and shook his head, "No, ma'am, I'm not." His eyes slid over to me for a second before moving back to Ma.

She nodded, "But you've left someone at home? A sweetheart?"

He shook his head again, "No, no sweetheart, just my mama and my sister, Alice." Ma nodded again and went back to her meal.

Richard narrowed his eyes at her, "What are you doing, Ma?" He looked over to me, but I only shrugged. "You finally found a husband for Clara? Or did you give up? Now you're moving onto Jackson because you're bored?" I felt the heat rush to my face and I knew my cheeks were a nice rosy color by now. She huffed, and Richard laughed.

"I am making conversation with our guest." She motioned to Daniel, who looked between everyone at the table, and continued, "I'm trying to find out more about him."

Richard shook his head and leaned over to his friend, "She's been trying for years to fix me up."

I leaned forward, "But she gave up on him a few months ago." I motioned to Richard, "I mean, can you blame her? Who'd want to marry that."

Richard's head snapped in my direction, his mouth slightly ajar, "Really? And what is wrong with me?"

I smirked, "Well for starters, you are quite the loudmouth." From the corner of my eye, I saw Daniel smirk which made my own smirk widen.

Richard shot me an incredulous look, "I'm the loudmouth? I'm the loudmouth?" I nodded, trying to contain my laughter. Richard pointed his fork at me, "And who was it that screamed so loud, all the dogs in a five-block radius wouldn't stop howling for twenty minutes?" My mouth dropped open in shock and Richard shook his head, "That definitely wasn't me."

"Now you're resorting to lies?" I ripped a piece of my roll and held it tightly in my hand, fighting back a smile, "You're spreading lies?"

Richard ignored me as he turned to our father, "That wasn't me, Pops, was it?" Pops shook his head and before Richard could say anything else, I threw the piece of bread at him. He laughed and grabbed his fork, loading potatoes onto it.

Ma shook her head as she saw what he was getting ready to do, "Don't you dare! You will not be throwing food at my table."

Richard held his hand out, "She started it." Ma glared at him and he dropped his fork, but not without a few more mumbled protests. Daniel started to chuckle, and I grinned over at him.

Ma nodded, "And she'll get it later." She turned her hard eyes to me, but I only giggled.

Richard took the opportunity to place more negativity on me, "Now she's mockin' you, Ma." My protests were overpowered by Richard's voice, "You gonna let her get away with that?" Apparently, this was enough to convince her to start in on my lecture now instead of later. I tried to get a word in, but she was not about to let me have any say.

The only thing that could cut through her voice was that of our father's, "Now that I think about it," he had started rubbing his chin, looking at the wall in intense thought, "Clara didn't make the dogs howl that day." His eyes snapped to Ma and he raised his eyebrows. It was quiet for a minute as we all stared at her, waiting to see what she would do.

She frowned, "Don't you dare." Pops only smiled which served to make her angrier, "Don't you go on making comments about my voice."

Pops shook his head, "It's not about your voice, dear." The tension left her shoulders for a second, but it came back full force when Pops smirked, "It's about your shrill yelling." Her face got red and she began shouting at him. Richard and I burst into laughter and I could see Daniel trying to suppress his smile. Pops tried to quell her verbal assault, but she was having none of it. She continued on him and we continued laughing. Then the doorbell rang.

The laughter died down and all eyes went to the front hall, but it was my father who spoke, "Now who could that be? It's dinnertime." He punctuated his statement with the clinking of his utensils on his plate.

I placed my fork down and pulled my napkin from my lap, "It's probably just Mae. She said she wanted to come over early and help me get ready."

My father's eyes snapped to me and narrowed ever so slightly, "Ready for what?"

"I told you yesterday, we're going to the Rosebud tonight." I wrung my napkin in my hands, waiting for his response.

His eyes narrowed further, "What are you goin' to the Rosebud for?" There was a soft knock at the front door, but I didn't dare move until this conversation was settled.

"Well there's a dance there tonight. I told you all about it yesterday."

"Who's going with you?"

I gave a tentative smile, "Mae."

He grunted, "Mae and who else?"

Shaking my head, I looked down at my place setting, "Just Mae, Daddy." I was hoping to appease some of his anger.

"No." It didn't work. I sighed and opened my mouth to respond, but he only shook his head and continued, "You and Mae are not going off to some dance on your own. Especially not tonight with all those servicemen spending their last nights at home." He threw his napkin on the table. He was getting really worked up now. "I know what they're looking for and they won't be getting it from my daughter."

My face flushed, "Daddy!" My eyes involuntarily slipped to Daniel and I saw him glance around the table nervously. I felt my face get hotter as my father kept going on his rant.

Richard's voice cut through the noise, "Alright, Pops, calm down, will ya?" Everything at the table was quiet as we all looked over at my savior. Richard slapped Daniel's shoulder, "Jackson and I will take the girls to the dance and make sure nothing happens to them, alright?"

I sat up straighter and locked eyes with my brother, "Really?"

Richard smiled over at me, "Of course, kid." I rolled my eyes and he laughed, "You know I'd do anything for you."

"Thank you."

"Don't mention it." My brother's smile turned into a smirk, "Plus, Pops gave me a great idea. This could be my big chance to find a pretty dame to dance with all night."

Ma was on her feet in a second, swinging her folded napkin at Richard's head, "Richard!" She ranted on as we watched her.

Richard held his hands up, trying to protect himself from her wrath, "Ma! Come on, it's a joke." He was unsuccessful as she only continued her verbal and physical assault. I took the moment to look back to my father. He hesitated, but ended up nodding. I smiled and leapt from my seat, heading to the front door. As I passed his chair, I leaned down and pressed a quick kiss to his check. He patted my hand and I was off again. Once I made it to the front door, I pulled it open and was met with a small woman with perfectly waved blonde hair, her hand up in midair like she was getting ready to knock again. She smiled at me, but quickly looked over my shoulder when she heard Ma's voice, still reprimanding Richard.

"Hey, Clara." She stepped into the house and turned back to me, "What did I miss?"

I shrugged, "It's been five months, but nothing has changed." I gestured to the dining room, "They haven't lost a step." Mae laughed as she followed me back to the dining room where it seemed that things had calmed down a bit. Ma probably remembered our guest and sat down to try to give him a good impression of our family dinners. Mae and I stumbled back into the dining room and I went straight for my plate, preparing to take it into the kitchen, so that we could go to my bedroom to get ready before Pops had the chance to change his mind.

"Well if it isn't little Miss Mae." Richard had gotten out of his seat and held his arms out. Mae looked over at him and smirked. My brother returned her look and the two stood there for a few minutes, before Mae couldn't take it anymore and she rushed into his arms.

She hugged him quickly before pulling back and looking him over, "Well the army has been good to you, hasn't it?" I rolled my eyes as Richard's smirk widened.

"You think so?" She nodded, and he winked at her. Mae let out a laugh as she released his arms and made her way over to Ma.

"Hi, Mrs. R. How are you doing?" Ma stood up and hugged Mae.

"I'm doing just fine, Mae." She motioned over to Daniel, who had been silent this entire time, "Please allow me to introduce you to Richard's friend, Daniel Jackson." At the sound of his name, Daniel stood up.

Mae held her hand out and he took it, "Pleasure to meet you."

She gave a sly smile, "The pleasure's all mine." Daniel coughed, and his eyes slid over to me.

I smiled gently at him, but directed my words to my best friend, "Come on, Mae." She released Daniel's hand and followed me to my bedroom. I was vaguely aware of a set of eyes following us down the hallway.