Chapter 20: Park Talk
Two weeks passed since the Dumbledores moved in. Apollo and Poseidon had become fast friends with little Albus. Katherine was rather fond of the little tyke as well.
She was just getting her boys ready for an outing to the park that day.
"Mummy let's asked Albus to come," Apollo suggested holding his small sail boat.
"All right we'll ask. But be gentlemen about it when asking," Katherine replied checking his vest and jacket.
Apollo nodded as he dashed out of the house and across the street. Katherine followed slower holding a large picnic basket and Poseidon's hand. She was also holding an umbrella over her head from the sun.
Apollo knocked on the door at 1212 and waited. Kendra answered the door and smiled down at the young lad.
"Hello Apollo what brings you here?" she asked.
"We are heading on an outing to the park for a picnic. Would you and Albus like to join us?" Apollo asked bowing and kissing her hand. Kendra laughed sweetly at the young man's antics and curtsied.
"I believe Albus and I would love to go. Please wait just a moment," Kendra grinned shutting the door.
"Well?" Katherine asked walking up the front steps.
"She said yes! And she's coming too!" Apollo exclaimed.
"I like Mrs. Dumbledore…she's kind of like you mummy," Poseidon replied, "But you're still my favorite."
"Oh well thank you for that," Katherine laughed as Kendra and Albus came out of the house.
"Hi Ms. Katherine! Thank you for inviting us. It's a true honor," Albus replied bowing as Apollo had done and kissed Katherine's hand.
"What a perfect gentleman. Albus you are a sweetheart," Katherine laughed as she and Kendra started toward the park with the three boys.
"Katherine how do you handle two young boys by yourself for so many hours of the day? Do the elves watch them?" Kendra asked as she and Katherine sat on the checkered blanket under a large oak. The boys were not far off by the pond sailing the boat and throwing rocks at it playing war.
Katherine eyed her young friend from the corner of her eye and waved a hand majestically.
"I do not wish my children to be raised by little creatures with ears the size of elephants. I am perfectly capable of watching them. The trick is to spend one on one time with each so they don't feel neglected. Plus they each have a different bedtime ritual at night to help them sleep. That's when they get Stewart and I to themselves," Katherine explained.
"That's revolutionary isn't it?" Kendra asked.
"What does it matter if it is? What's important is the children grow to have the confidence they can do anything," Katherine replied.
"Do they fight a lot being so close in age?" Kendra asked.
"A lot of questions my dear," Katherine laughed turning to the woman.
"Well I….I'm just curious," Kendra stammered.
"All right…well sometimes. But that's not to say they never fight with Athena because she is so much older. Siblings will always fight with each other. It's human nature to do so. But because they are blood they will always love each other," Katherine replied as she turned rather sadly and looked at her sons.
Kendra noticed her friend's change in demeanor and guessed she must not get along well with her family. Of course being muggle born she was very naive about the pureblood ways; especially since her husband was disowned from his family. Something told her that Katherine had secrets and that gave Kendra the hope she could trust her with her problems. The witch decided she'd talk to her husband that night and see what he thought.