AN- not really liking this chapter but oh well. Momma had a diner owner make sure she was always fed when she was in foster homes that didn't feed her and came by today to check on us all. And is just an awesome woman. Momma's still the same. Her fever seems to be going down very slowly but there isn't much change about the fluid in her lungs. Hopefully in the next few days they can try weaning her off of the ventilator. I have to be cough and fever free for 24 hours before I can go in her room. 10 hours down, 14 to go. The chapter is kind ofshort, sorry about that. There's only so much time I can keep concentrated on it before my mind wanders back to what's going on here.
Stef watched her family sit around the diner she had been going to since she was 5 years old. The massive plates that were usually devoured were barely being picked at. Jesus, the boy that usually ate them out of house and home stabbed at his potato hash, not bothering to grab the ketchup that was sitting in front of him. Jude didn't bother to even pick up his fork, instead resting his chin in his hand and sipping on a sprite that sat in front of him.
"Vince said he saw my favorite family." Stef looked over her shoulder to see Ann standing there, a southern woman in her 70's who started the diner. "How you guys holding up?" Ann asked quieter as she squeezed Stef's shoulder. Stef tried not to cry, it was that reassuring squeeze that got her through most of her struggles growing up. She threw Ann a questioning glance. "I saw the news today, Honey. I knew it was her right away."
Stef nodded. "Thank you."
"Jesus, you've beat my potato hash competition since you were 12. Now eat up. We don't want you getting sick."
"Yes, Miss. Ann." Jesus said, taking a few small bites.
"THe king once said..." Stef let her mind wander as Ann went on about Elvis. The whole diner was covered in Elvis memorabelia and had been as long as she could remember. That and teddy bears that sat on two overstuffed book shelves. "...and that is why you guys should eat a little even if you don't want to. Got it?"
"Yes Miss. Ann." The reply came from the twins and Lena. Stef chuckled. Her head turning when she saw Jude push his chair back.
"Where are you going?" Stef asked. Jude's eyes flickered to the bathroom. "That's fine, Baby." She said with a small smile as Jude walked quickly through the restaurant. She sensed more than heard Ann walk away, coming back moments later with a teddy bear in her arms, placing it on Jude's chair.
"Ann?" Stef asked with a confused look.
"They were looking at it. The first time they came here." Ann said with a thick voice. "She told me that Jude had a teddy bear his mom gave him, that looked exactly like it. But a foster father burned it when he was eight years old. Told him he was too old for a teddy bear. I want him to have it." Stef closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths. "You take care of him. All of you. He's sweet and kind. He's gone through too much to loose his sister." Stef nodded.
"He has." She whispered softly.
"I'm here to be his sister." Mariana said softly. "I lost my sister." she whispered "But I get to be there for him. I get to show him it's not just him. We're all here." Jesus nodded in agreement.
"You're a good girl, Mariana." Ann said, hugging Stef from behind. "Are you holding up alright, Lena?" Ann asked the woman who had been moving food around her plate. "I know it's hard. Especially after loosing the baby." Lena nodded.
"I'm ok." she said, not making eye contact. Ann thought back to the day Stef brought Lena. Lena had just been released from the hospital and didn't want to go home and face her other children yet.
"You'll let me know? If there's anything I can do?"
"Of course Miss. Ann. Thank you." Lena said with a small smile.
"I'm going to go make sure Vince is making the biscuits right. I'll see you guys soon."
Stef watched as Jude looked at the bear that was sitting in his spot and picking it up. "Do you remember you guys looking at it?" Stef asked him. "Miss. Ann thought you might like to have it. She must think you're really special. She's never given one of her bears away." Jude hugged the bear tight to him and buried his face in the soft fur. "Maybe we an say thank you to Miss. Ann for being so kind?"
Jude looked at her for a moment before gesturing writing. Stef sighed "Buddy can you talk to me? We're all hurting here. We all miss her." Jude looked down as tears filled his eyes. "Ok, ok, I didn't mean to push you." Stef whispered, grabbing a pen from her purse. Jude took it and scrawled a note on a napkin. After a little bit of time Stef gave up with getting people to eat. Taking the bag of to go boxes she set the tip over Jude's napkin. The note was simple 'Thank you for the bear. It reminds me of her.'
