Chapter 3.

Annabel and Marilyn

Lilly's Mother Annabel Moose sneezes after Marilyn thinks about her. And has a reunion with her too.

Marilyn was in a library, looking at books she might be interested in.

"I wonder what Annabel would suggest if I asked her what I should read..." she thought to herself.

In another part of that same Library, Annabel was just finishing reading a book when her nose twitched as her nostrils flared up. She was going to sneeze. She tilted her neck back and released the sneeze.

"Haaah... Tchew!"

Annabel sniffled as she rubbed her nose with his hoof.

"Hmm. That's strange..." she said to herself, quietly. "Must have been the dust."

As Annabel was about to put the book, she heard a familiar female voice.

"Annabel?" The voice sounded like Marilyn.

Annabel turned her head and her eyes widened with surprise when she saw her mother. "Mom? Is that you?"

"Yes, honey, it's me," Marilyn said as she hugged Annabel. "I heard you sneezing, Are you feeling alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine," Annabel replied, "How's Dad doing?"

"He's alright, too," Marilyn replied.

"Still just sleeping and watching TV?" asked Annabel.

"Yes, but he still loves you and your brother."

"I'm glad to hear it," said Annabel, "Do you want to know how my husband and daughter have been both doing too?"

"Oh, certainly," Marilyn said as she nodded.

"They have been both been doing very fine," said Annabel.

"Oh, that's nice," Marilyn said.

"And do you want to know about my brother Lumpy too?" asked Annabel.

"Of course," Marilyn said with a nod.

"He has been doing great too. And has a girlfriend by the name of Skittles," said Annabel.

"Oh, that's wonderful!" Marilyn said, managing to keep her voice down since they were in the library.

"I decided to get out of the house for a little bit," said Marilyn.

"And what is Dad doing right now this very minute?" asked Annabel.

"He's at home. Watching a movie, I believe," Marilyn replied.

"Mom, could I see that photo of the family home please?" asked Annabel.

"Oh, certainly," Marilyn said with a nod. She reached into her wallet, pulled out her picture of the family home and showed it to Annabel.

Annabel smiled as she looked at the photo of the family house where she and Lumpy both grew up in.

"I had such a wonderful childhood at that place."

"Yes, you did," Marilyn agreed.

"And I remember that thing you and Dad used to do to Lumpy too," Annabel said with a chuckle.

"You mean..." Marilyn then spoke with a quiet tone. "...tickling him?"

"Yes I do," replied Annabel.

"I didn't realize how much you remember that..." Marilyn blushed a little as she chuckled.

"I was there when it happened," said Annabel.

"I don't really remember tickling you, though..." Marilyn replied.

"I know that, but it was quite fun to watch," said Annabel.

"And also, I have a question," Marilyn went on. "But I'd like to go somewhere else first. Somewhere... quiet."

Annabel and Marilyn went to a quiet corner of the library.

"Annabel, my darling, may I ask what you're allergic to?" Marilyn asked.

"Oh, you're lucky. I've noticed that your brother is allergic to many, many things..."

"Like what?" Annabel asked.

"Lumpy has told me that he's allergic to pollen, dust, feathers, pepper, and many other things."

"Like what?" Annabel asked.

Marilyn sighed to herself. "It doesn't help that he gets sick with colds quite frequently..."

Annabel decided to change the subject.

"Mom, I just have one more question," she said, "Why do you call Dad Lumpy when his name is Lumpward?"

"It's an affectionate term, darling," Marilyn said.

"Oh..."

And with that, Annabel spent the rest of the day with her Mother Marilyn.