Oracle 25: Of Mother and Child
Helen Plum doesn't know what to say to her younger daughter. She just holds Stephanie tight in her arms for one long minute. She's definitely not a hugger or a kisser. She is never very good at properly and openly showing her feelings and emotions. She's also really not good with words, and tends to babble a lot when she's too upset or nervous. She always expresses her worries and concerns for her family by constantly nagging and reminding them of just about everything, and the only comfortable way for her to show her love for them is to feed them and take care of their everyday needs. Now Helen's happy, simply happy to see her daughter safe and sound, and she's so grateful that Ranger found Stephanie that cold rainy night and took her in. She quickly blinks back her tears and puts on a warm smile as she releases Stephanie and turns to face Ranger. "Come inside, please. Dinner will be ready in a minute." She spent the whole afternoon cooking and baking after Frank received Stephanie's call sometime around noon. All of Stephanie's washed, mended and ironed clothes are already packed, and the three dozens of chocolate chip cookies and the moist chocolate layer cake (yes, with extra chocolates) she baked for Stephanie are bagged, too. Helen also prepared a plate of warm chicken salad and some oven baked vegetables beside the usual pot roast, gravy, mashed potatoes and pineapple upside down cake.
She then hurries into the kitchen while, for once, her mother and husband take turn instead of elbowing each other out of the way to hug and kiss Stephanie and shake hands with Ranger (well, Grandma does get to give him a hug and a kiss on his cheek, mind you). A happy smile blossoms on Helen's face as she looks up and sees the clock. 5:59. Perfect. The pot roast won't be too dry tonight.