Title: A Family Scramble to Rebound.
Rating: M (Language & Situations)
A/N: Dick Wolf owns LOCI characters, all others are mine. NO LINKS BETWEEN THIS CHAPTER & REALITY ARE INTENDED.
Gathered in Jeremiah's living room, Tynie's family takes turns looking her way. "Guys, I know you're worried about me, but Bobby told me something last night. He said, since Jeremiah took lead on my surgery, how we work with my restrictions is up to him. There may be times, where Bobby or Frank steps in to keep Jeremiah's plans from fucking up our insurance, though. You know how petty that company is, so you'll be told when that hits, too. If you get an idea on it, just run it past Frank or Bobby, so they know how to defend it." Tynie proclaims. "What if we get the idea, when they're unavailable?" Tia wonders. "Do it, and explain why in a text message, after you're done." Anita replies. "I know what inspired that, guys. Jeanine Perran, St. Lucia's Billing Resolutions Administrator, told me, the feds are all over several insurance companies… including ours.. for the pettiness Tynie mentioned." Frank defends. "Anita wants us to have evidence, in case the feds need it!" Kiki blurts. "If she's wrong, us going that route is a good way to test our phones for issues." Keisha sustains. "You're right, on different levels, ladies. Anita told me, on our way here." Bobby verifies. "Bobby, I hope you'll forgive a different kind of pettiness. Tynie's had three cardioverter surgeries I know of, so I believe what I'm advising is best for her. We should make a family pact, so she mainly works to help us avoid shitty alcohol conditions, alcohol related sickness, and DWI's. I know she'll hate it, but I'd rather not have her risk ER visits she can dodge, especially after what Frank learned." Clint appeals. "I'm not an invalid!" Tynie snaps. "We know, sis. He's just trying, to lead us through repenting, for basically treating you like a servant. You've been amazing about it, when you should've never endured it in the first place. He just didn't know, my part in the pact, entails asking our family to use your tech rules with me. If they will, I'll get my baby to carry it over to your grilling ones." Alicia debunks. "You misunderstood him on the insurance angle, sis. We'll need to create a rotation on everything except his alcohol angle, have it put in writing, and put in Anita's purse. She may not like it, but since our meeting was set before Frank got a chance to replace his Padarean, it's the best we can do." Tia reexamines. "Sis, there's an alternative. I'll text Anita, saying we agreed to do the rotation on a meeting by meeting basis. That way, they'll hear who's working, and who'll report in to Frank if anything arises that'd affect his insurance, each time." Burt contradicts. "For example, I'll ask my baby, and Davin for help on meals. We'll need Keisha, Alice, and Alicia to do coffee table setup and report in, though. If they'll do it, I'll ask Lori, Mom, and Flo to get our drinks, and have Jack do those report ins. Yes, I meant that as it came out, because I believe we should extend those to who's head of the house we're in. Jeremiah may disagree, but either way, I'll need Dean, Dad, and La'Tario to do cleanup. I know it breaks our rule on elders relaxing, but given the timing, that beats Tynie's restrictions being violated." DaJuan explains. "Guys, I'm more comfortable having you report in to me, and leaving our insurance angle in my hands. You didn't know, but it's because Dad still has bases to cover from yesterday." Markus prefers. "Alright." DaJuan retorts.
Closing her eyes, Tynie compels Bill to say "Sis, we adore your drive to do more. It's just, you're blessed to have made it out of the surgeries you've had. We don't mean to upset you, but we're scared. Terrified really, you'll overwork yourself so much, your cardioverter fucks out and we lose you. None of us want that, which is why we're hellbent on not having you do much. If we find out our ways offend Dr. Perez, I'll call a meeting to modify them, and let her know. Ok?" "Yeah." Tynie gasps. "We know you never meant for him to speak that truth on all our names, sis. On the same side of it, we know you'd cuss us out for bullshitting you. Hell, I can see you making Frank blush in the process! He may not like how I just segue'd him into this deal, but we'll be as safe as we can. You'll learn how to follow us through each situation, too." Ted states. "We realize you didn't expect them to go there, sis. I'll bet Frank never thought he'd live to see the day where his risk of blushing is the least of all evils, either. Sorry, but it's the best we can do." Felicia bemoans. "You read me, sis. I wish it was different, but I want Tia and Clint to understand, today's not their only chance to set up their wedding and honeymoon. If they struggle with any part of it, I want texted a time to bring them to my house, so Bobby can help fix it. You guys will be updated, when it's done, too." Frank dissents. "Guys, he missed a couple bases. It's fine, because I can cover them. The first, since we don't know if we'll encounter delays with travel agents or sites: Clint and Tia aren't to worry about my checkups clashing with their wedding and honeymoon. I'm not afraid to reschedule those, and have Bill enforce his offer on offending Dr. Perez. Worst case scenario, I'm texted, saying it ran me a fifth of Jack Daniels. He knows I'm good for it, but he'd get it after a restock, because of all the dicktarts on the roads. The second, Frank's to use my Mazda on his contingency plan, and learn if theirs fucked out. If so, he's to wait until they're in our living room, give one of them my keys, and go from there." Tynie renounces. "Sis, I know you're striving to be amenable. It's just, I'd feel a lot better, if we made how you changed my baby's offer a last resort. You won't owe us anything for it, because you've already given us the fuckin' world. I just hope Frank's OK with it meaning, your offer for his contingency, is to be treated the same way." Flo disqualifies. "I was just about to advise the same things, sis. You didn't know, but she was right to warn us about the risk of those delays." Frank accommodates. "She missed one, without knowing it, brother. I had to file for a new Visa card a couple days ago, because the strip in mine went bad. What makes it worse is, I don't know if the marriage license office takes ATM/Debit cards or personal checks." Clint admits. "You may not have to worry about that, brother. If I can use Liza's computer, and Jeremiah's fax machine for a while, you'll learn how I can settle it." Bobby contends. "Go ahead, brother." Jeremiah allows.
Dusting a kiss to his wife's cheek, Bobby nods, and exits the room. "Jeremiah, I owe you one." Clint ingratiates. "You have it backwards, brother. My baby and Bobby made a deal last night, where she was supposed to help him find out if he can legally buy your marriage license. You gave us the perfect work around, which is why he was so fast to ask about using those electronics. We'll have to wait for him, to find out if it worked. Either way, I have disheartening news on Tynie, which leaves me curious. How do I repay you, for making my baby's part in it alarmingly easy?" Jeremiah counters. "Let us discuss that news over Sapporos, Kirin Ichibans, and Frank's version of a screwdriver, and I'll call it even." Clint replies. "We're out of Ciroc X Vodka, because I refused to buy bottles with obvious scratches by the safety seals. Are Jim Beam Highballs an OK replacement?" Tianna wonders. "Yeah." Clint cites. "I can't go on a honeymoon, when my baby sister needs me." Tia mopes. "Yes, you can. After I find out what kind of vacation spot you want, I'll tell Bobby to get the closest one to us. He planned on buying your honeymoon anyway, so that'd make it easy." Tynie contests. "Sis, I have a different idea. You kick back, while I find that out, and meet with Bobby. If he finds issues with what he's using, I'll handle it, and update dad later." Markus counterintends. "I didn't know that was covered by your decision on the insurance until now, brother." Tynie justifies. "It's Ok, sis." Markus lulls. "Markus, do you mind helping Bobby's household keep eyes on her while we go to a cabin or beach house for a few days?" Clint proposes. "Isn't it easier to reserve one of those for at least a week?" Kiki inquires. "I believe so, sis." Felicia assumes. "Ladies, that makes three of us. You can relax, while I clear the rest." Markus corrects.
Simply nodding, Kiki and Felicia obey, as he heads to prove his word. Twenty minutes later, Bobby and Markus rejoin their family, the first man praying "Clint, I need forgiven. I told Dori Anderson of our Circuit Clerk's Marriage License Division, you had to file for replacement ATM/Debit and Visa cards. They don't take personal checks anymore, because there's been a rash of people using those without having enough to cover it. The only good thing is, it's how I was able to sign an affidavit that lets me buy your marriage license. I have it on me now, and will need to show it, when we go to that office. Dori said it's protocol, but I'd prefer to get that done, before setting up your honeymoon." "All you did was, work within guidelines you got from a state agent. I'm fine with it, but I'd rather we get that settled, by the end of next week. On our way here, I heard on the radio, area schools will be starting their mid-semester breaks soon. Lord knows how that'll affect travel agents or site schedules, but I'd rather not find out, if we can avoid it." Clint disapproves. "Bobby, isn't it easiest to update Frank's contingency so that decision's covered?" Taia wonders. "You read my plan, sis." Bobby evades. "Guys, my advice: do it Tuesday at nine. That way, you avoid the crowds that usually hit state agencies on Mondays and Fridays." Dean counsels. "I believe how traffic's been lately, justifies us meeting by seven. If my baby, Clint and Tia go for that, I'll cover our meals, coffees, and tankup." Tynie obstructs. "Guys, before you dispute that, I know what drove it. She wants Bobby to use it, as supplemental evidence for his claim. We don't know if any of Dori's co-workers will be problematic, so you'd be best off, letting it happen." Bill intercedes. "Consider it done on my end, brother." Tia ripostes. "I'm in, too." Clint affirms. "Sounds like we have a new plan, guys." Bobby surmises. "Jeremiah, now that's settled, I'm curious. Would having Tynie officiate my wedding violate her restrictions?" Tia inquires. "It depends, sis. If you mean strictly officiating, no. If you mean Tynie's definition, which adds in handling issues like ConEd coming onto our property to resolve an electrical problem caused by storms, yes. I'm aware she'll loathe it, but Dr. Perez told me there's only a two sided reason she'll qualify for another cardioverter surgery. It depends on if her current one fucks out because of a mechanical issue, or falls under a recall. Matter of fact, that's why Tynie's special consent to be armed, got revoked yesterday. I have the papers to prove it, if you want to see them, too. If not, I'll get copies for Frank's insurance to him, shortly." Jeremiah quantifies. "Jeremiah, before you do any of that, I have a question. Do you have a problem with us getting married on your land?" Clint probes. "I'm flattered, but Burt's would be better, because it's bigger. Had you guys not carpooled, I seriously believe, I'd be answering to the fire marshal right now." Jeremiah declines. "Guys, in his defense; our new one already has a reputation for being a petty shithead. I know it, because there have been a lot of ads for an expose' on that fucker, these past few days." Kiki intrudes. "Hell, for all we know: the expose' could lead to another, pettier fire marshal getting the gig. Either way, Jeremiah was absolutely right to advise against us risking problems with them." Tynie adheres. "Thank you, ladies. Tynie, that was the last time I want you defending any of us. I know it violates your ethics, but as we all just heard, that's the least of all evils. Bill explained another way I can prove it, when he spoke every mind in this house, earlier. We love you, with all our hearts, little shit. Yeah, we know it's mutual, but this is a huge opportunity for us. It's a big chance, to prove we'll take care of you like you have us, and my decision is just part of it. You'll learn the rest on a case by case basis, so you see, there's no way in hell we'll fuck this blessing up. I know that, because I'm making a unilateral family rule on it, right now." Markus restricts. "But, you guys's hearts, the stress.." Tynie pines. "We'll gladly take the risk. You have, for us, so many times we've lost count. You, Tia, and Bobby may get pissed at me, but one way I can prove this, entails forbidding you from officiating her wedding. Last time you did, we had other issues arise, and we can't predict if it'll happen again. I'd much rather not chance it causing you to disobey Dr. Perez, given what we just learned about your medical situation." Burt abstains. "Let me settle my end of it, brother. From now on, if any of you believes she's about to risk violating her restrictions: tell me or text me, then explain your plan to avoid it, and I'll stand by your decision. If I feel the same way, you'll get the same respect." Bobby rebukes. "Sis, before you react to that, I just realized there's a work around. I'll need to find out if Tia's OK with me learning the particulars of your officiating style, and set a time to do it, though." Annalise interrupts. "I'd prefer we get the marriage license, and have it stashed in a lockbox first, sis. You can blame it on how far Bobby had to go, to keep one of his offers, too." Tynie hesitates. "Speaking of people standing by decisions, I do, with the ones I just heard. Burt wasn't sure I would, but there are a couple parts of Jeremiah's advice on my wedding, I'm not clear on. Does Burt take personal checks? If so, how much does he want in one, to rent his land?" Tia counterproposes. "We don't believe in that, sis. You didn't know, but no marriage in our family has been allowed to start with the engaged couple being in debt. Now, if you want to write a list of preferences and get it to me another day: I'll call smaller meetings, with everyone but Tynie and Bobby, to settle it. They're doing enough, especially since we have no clue how much he'll spend on your honeymoon. He's been known to insist on five star quality, and get private jets for that kind of thing, because of our family's history of problems with standard airliners." La'Tario rebuts. "Damn." Tia slurs. "Sis, there's a bit more to it. We tend to include limos for our weddings, so none of us risks dealing with a shit cabbie, one that's drunk or high, one that's driving on revoked licenses, one that fits all those bills at the same time, or leaving their car in long term airport parking. Lord knows what'd happen to them, but I need to know two things. One, if you want a standard stretch limo, or an SUV version. The other, what color." Anita propositions. "SUV, white, if you can get it." Tia stammers. "Ok. I'll call Annalise to set her meeting, after we get all this, settled." Bobby reconsiders. "Do you mind if I join that meeting, sis?" Dean asks. "As long as you'll split my definition of officiating, so Annalise covers the strict part, it's fine. She can blame my decision on more news I got last night, too. Mack had Alice text me, saying our state's tightened the rules for how Frank gets our gun cleaning kits. Now, he can only buy four cases a month, so Mack advised we make that our grounds for only keeping our family's men armed. I don't know if you already knew, because Mack and Alice didn't know if anyone's phone batteries died when they texted me. Here's the thing, I asked him to make this wedding our first major family event under that rule. Last I knew, he was going to text you all on it, before we met up." Tynie obstructs. "He did, and sadly, you two were justified." Flo begrudges. "I figured that, sis. Now, I'm wondering if we can legally use it to back signing our guns over to our men so they have a contingency." Alicia imparts. "I'll look into it, and get back to you, sis." Bill debates. "Jeremiah, please forgive me for making a decision against your house. I just, believe how his promise links to Tynie's medical, makes clearing the first part urgent. If you'll allow it, I'll show you how I'd move our meeting, if it were my house." Clint hopes. "All you did was, read my mind, on how that should be handled. I understand you weren't sure, but you can still lead the way on the rest." Jeremiah refuses. "Ok." Clint rasps.
Excusing himself by family custom, Bill returns to the others, an hour later. "Apparently, our area media refused to air news, local gun distributors filed for a federal injunction on the new regulations. They swore, it was a massive government overreach, but Her Honor Tina Byersworth took it further. She's ordered our state pull all the gun regulations they've made in the past year, because she believes they were a precursor to this one. Essentially, that's the legal version of Tynie's door analogies, but there's a catch. The ATF had to be notified of her orders, so they can monitor how businesses like Karrigan's work with them. If any are found non-compliant, the ATF will have perfect grounds to pull the owner's licensing, for life. I have print offs to prove it, if you want to see them, too. Either way, I should apologize for not being back sooner. Jeremiah's laptop and fax machine had master software updates come through. He may not like the fact I shut everything in his home office down, but that was because we don't know if the weather will turn to shit." Bill decrees. "Can't we use the print offs to back acting on Alicia's idea?" Felicia ponders. "It depends, sis. We'd have to agree to do it in a rotation, so Karrigan doesn't have issues with the fire marshal. God knows if that'd trigger what Bill said about the licensing, and I'd prefer He keeps that knowledge to himself.. If you get my drift." Kiki prescribes. "We all do, sis. Bill can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think we'd also have to swear we're doing it in case Her Honor Byersworth's orders get voided by a higher ranked judge. I know it'll probably mean we sign affidavits, but Karrigan knows our rules for that. Unfortunately, we'd have to frame our rotation around Tynie's checkups, because of her risk of being admitted to St. Lucia's." DaJuan interjects. "He missed a couple steps, guys. We'd have to make it so Tynie goes first, because her special consent was revoked. I'm aware she'll hate it, but our deadline on the rest, is before you ladies gun cards expire." Bill alters. "You misread me, brother. I'm glad we got that news as a group, because of our luck with speaker buttons. What breaks my heart is, Karrigan's always kicked ass for us, but now, I have to break a vow to him. I swore, I'd be his customer until he retired. You have no idea, how badly I wish, it was different." Tynie ruminates.
Amending his pose, Bobby rebels "It's in your eyes, beautiful. You can leave breaking this news to me, when it's time." "Thanks babe." Tynie mutters. Leaning on his left side, she feels him embrace her, and recloses her eyes. Watching that happen, Clint scurries across the room, to check on Tynie. "Relax, sis. We have everything under control. My next way to prove it, involves asking the other people DaJuan named earlier, to start working on his plan. I'll join them, after I feel your heart rate calm down some." Clint extolls. Alternating who grants his wish, the family regroups, after another hour's passed. Eating and drinking together, Bobby blends in checking on his wife. "She's good, guys. Clint, next time you do this, be a bit more careful about how you meet up to her. You almost face planted into the coffee table, this time, and I'd rather not have you risk it again." Bobby decries. "He spoke for us all, brother. Don't get it twisted, your motives were sweet, but you know our views on risking ER visits." Tynie disapproves. "You guys got it." Clint assents. Smiling all around, the people in charge of cleanup, arise to resolve it. Reclaiming their seats, Jack proclaims "Guys, I've been thinking. All this news about state regulations, makes it best for one of us to advise Karrigan retires, within the next few months. Lord knows how our state will treat businessmen like him, if DaJuan's concern on the injunction comes true. I don't feel right having him find out the hard way, when we can just as easily recommend an alternative." "He didn't know, I'd have a slightly different idea, guys. It's cool, because now I can swear to Flo I'll keep her in newest model Harleys until hell freezes over, if she treats Jack's idea like she planned for Dean's house." Tynie impedes. "Sis, we know, all this is breaking your heart. You just didn't realize, the continuing price tag on that idea, is extortive. That's one reason I'm not letting you do it, the other is: I'm how you all met Karrigan, so the debt you referenced falls to me." Frank denies. "Are you willing to pay for my next round of Harley tags, brother?" Flo ponders. "Frank, if it were me: I'd double that, and tell the DMV the first round's because you heard she had to get a new bank card. That way, you can make her Visa needing replaced cover the second one, and leave the truth between us." Tia interrupts. "She's right, on a couple levels, brother. We don't know how long it'd take to work through Tynie's guideline, for one. For another, given your link to what Bill learned, risking this deal leaking to the public is one of our worst moves. You can blame that on all the anti-Second Amendment fuckwarts in our society, too." Keisha contends. "There's a third level, sis. He can frame renewing his tags around hers, and swear to the DMV your second angle's why. If anyone there bitches, he can invoke Tynie's lawsuit style on all their asses, and call it a day." Anita denigrates. "He'll need a witness." Annalise blurts. "That's my turf, sis. None of you knew yet, but I believe it's best for Dad not to, because of his connections to this deal." Ted recognizes. "Good calls!" Burt howls. "Keisha insulted fuckwarts, brother. The shitwits she described are barely worthy of that tag, but you're right on the rest." Tynie contradicts. "Flo, do you mind us making this a family wide deal?" Taia prods. "I'd prefer it, actually. We've just discussed why, too." Flo negates.
Verifying that with nods, Tynie snuggles up to her husband, spurning a chain reaction in the room. Mere moments pass, before Bill's assumption on the weather, starts proving itself around Jeremiah's house. "Jeremiah, I just remembered. I was supposed to get copies of Tynie's surgery papers, but since we're stuck in another storm, I'll come by tomorrow for them." Frank disclaims. "Alright." Jeremiah quips. Aiming to adjourn today's business on that note, Tynie's family infuses periodic restroom trips, into striving to relax during this storm. Surprising everyone else, in the midst of the second part, Tynie breaks down crying. Frantically tapping out of their men's holds, Liza, Tia, and Anita hustle Tynie's way. "I hate the fact my fuckin' heart's putting so much stress on you guys's. What makes it worse is, the timing's fucking up a wedding." Tynie sobs. "We see this differently, sis. On one end; you took so much stress, for so many people. It's only right, we return the favor. On the other, you aren't fucking up Tia's wedding. You're giving me a chance to ask Frank, my baby and Burt to figure out a couple safe slots for you, that leave the rest to us. Frank's and my baby's part is insurance related, and they know how I can base that. Burt's, is a respect of property owner thing, because of my baby's advice on the wedding's location. The worst I can see happening is; La'Tario insists on having that set, before he calls the other small meetings." Liza dissents. "I am, as of right now, sis. You were right to recommend it, to ease her mind, too." La'Tario overrules. "May Burt, Frank, and Jeremiah forgive me for this, guys. I just, believe it'd be safest if we used Clint's alcohol related idea, and let it tie into her being our DJ. She is a tech savvy ex bartender, who's officiated our weddings in the past. Hell, she even went as far as helping spare retired Captain Bill Baughman's career when she did mine. If my suggestion means we have to reroute Burt's stereo, or it gets damaged: he can bill me for a top of the line replacement." Alice interrupts. "I won't let him, sis. You merely beat me to explaining the same idea by a couple minutes, so it doesn't feel right." Taia refutes. "Bobby, if anyone needs forgiven, it's me. You stand to wonder, when Tynie will be admitted to St. Lucia's, from here on out. I should've been a better cousin, by insisting on taking over your offers because of that, sooner. Now, aside from hoping you'll forgive me, all I can do is: ask if you'd mind being my consultant on the difference." Davin self-berates. "I'm uncomfortable with that, brother. You didn't know I would be, but it's because we don't know how much money will be involved. Honestly, I'd much rather ask Bobby to split your plan." Dean reneges. "I'll do it, if you help my baby with Alice's idea." Bobby forestalls. "Dean, do you mind splitting his condition with Burt and Frank?" Keisha frets. "I may know where she's taking that, guys. If those three are ok with this: they could split it so Frank helps on the alcohol end, and Burt does the DJ one. At least that way, any insurance issues that come up can be handled by the mains on those accounts." Kiki guesses. "She read my intentions, guys." Keisha infers. "All that means is, Annalise learning Tynie's officiating style is my turf." Anita scolds. "Sounds fair to me, guys." Annalise deems. "I'm in, if Frank, Dean and Burt are then, sis." Tynie resigns.
Gazing between the last two cited men, Frank gets nods, leading him to say "We have a new deal; guys." "Baby, I know this changes our plan again. It's just, I believe what brought that deal out, warrants us getting a round of Jack Daniels, Johnnie Walker Black and coffee together. Care to meet me in the kitchen?" Clint intrudes. "I'm you guys's backup. Kiki was right, we don't need to risk any insurance issues we can avoid, especially so soon after Tynie's surgery." Flo insists. Briefly nodding, Tia heads for the kitchen, her fiance and Flo trailing her. Honoring Clint's idea, he kisses his woman's cheek, on the way back to their seats. Claiming them in a chain reaction, Tia recaps "Liza, I have bad news. When we were getting the Johnnie Walker Black together, I noticed the safety seal on your second fifth wasn't lined up right. It looked like it was pushed down and to the left, so I pitched the bottle, and got into your White Zin. While I did that, my baby updated your restock log, and Flo checked your other drinks. I was told, they're in decent conditions, but I promised I'd explain it." "You gave the wrong person the right information, sis. Our next restock is on me, but I can't do it, until after Frank gets those papers. Dad may not like the new restriction, but it's because of the pettiness Tynie mentioned earlier today." Markus prohibits. "Jeremiah, please forgive me for half ass hijackin' control of your house. It's just, since we don't know if the weather will bring on travel bans, if any nutstains who violate those will wreck out on our land, or when shelter in place orders will be issued: he'd be best off doing the restock first thing tomorrow morning. If that means I text Mack an IOU, for a tankup and tuneup so Markus gets emergency access to his Explorer, so fuckin' be it." Tynie apprises. "Sis, you misunderstood. If Dad accepts your plan change, the IOU must come from me, because of how our insurance is set up." Markus reconsiders. "I'd rather just set a time to pick Frank up, and swap cars for the restock, brother. None of you knew yet, but you two already explained my reasons for it." Mack prefers. "Guys, there's more to the nutstain angle. My Deity and I believe, you'd be safest meeting up by nine thirty, because of all the fuckers we've dealt with on the roads lately." Bobby translates.
Blushing, Tynie causes Jeremiah to say "We'll all have to adapt to him calling you that around us, sis. It's alright, but you didn't hijack anything. You beat me to explaining most of my conditions to this deal by a couple minutes, but there's another one. You need to realize, we meant it when we said; you'll be following our lead from now on." "Ok." Tynie gulps. Drinking as they discussed that, Lori, Taia, and Jack arise to clear from this round. Retaking their seats, those ladies resume their prior poses, as Jack gazes at Tynie. "I'm OK, brother. Hopefully, the same's true with y'all. I know you don't like it when I worry, but it's out of love for you. Aside from it, Jeremiah was right, we've been scrambling to rebound from my surgery; and there will be learning down the line. I know I'm up for most of it, but that's OK. After all, I've taught y'all a lot of shit, so it's only right you reverse the favor." Tynie dedicates. "Sis, we love you, too. We'll tell you, or have you told if anything comes up. Until then, no news is good news. Ok?" Tianna rescinds. "Yeah." Tynie rasps. Allowing silence to surround them, Tynie's family spends a few hours relaxing, as they did before she broke down. Convening by the coffee table, they enact kin customs for ending gatherings, Markus seeing most of their relatives out. Securing the house, he joins it's other occupants in waiting for their usual text messages. An hour and a half later, they arrive, with an explanation traffic caused the delay. Replying understandingly, Markus includes his household's good night wishes, and stores his phone. Deeming it a cue, Liza begins the household's patterns for ending time together. Closing those out, Jeremiah leads them to the back areas. Secluding, everyone in his home shares affections they'd shelved for most of today.
Unbeknownst to them, it's actually part of a family wide mindset, which soon turns intimate. Enthralled, for the most part, all of Tynie's loved ones strive to ignore a nagging concern. Sweaty, satiated, and snuggled up, they await slumber, as a festering worry crosses Tynie's mind. As an uncited irony would have it, their unspoken regards, is essentially the same. Snoring, everybody from Tynie to Tia secretly hopes for one thing. That being, for today's scramble to rebound, to be the only one for quite a while.