A LIL' CALIFORNIA SUMMER
The Marsh family was in a frenzy the afternoon of July 11th. Sharon and Randy would by flying out to Santa Barbra California with their seven-year-old daughter and three-year-old son later that day and had to make sure they had everything they needed for the trip. They were going to be visiting with Sharon's side of the family who all resided in and around Santa Barbra for the next week and since visits with the Kimbles didn't happen often, they were looking forward to it. Randy had driven his family to Denver yesterday to stay the night so it would be easier to get to the Denver Airport and fly out the next day. Randy rolled his eyes as his wife began checking and double-checking the things she had in the family's suitcases and carry-on bags.
"Sharon, calm down, the flight isn't until 3:15," he spoke, watching TV in their motel room.
"Randy, this will be the first time Stanley's been on an airplane. I have to make sure we have everything we need so the trip goes smoothly," Sharon hurried, digging around in a backpack.
"You didn't get this way when we took Shelley on her first plane ride to California when she was a baby. What gives?"
"Because she was only a baby and it was just the three of us. Now with two kids who can talk and have their own opinions and different needs it's a lot more to handle."
"We packed a lot of crap to keep them entertained," Randy nodded to the backpack his wife currently had her hands in.
"But I don't think we packed enough. I need to pack at least two more diapers for Stan as well as a change of clothes. Anything could happen the three hours we're in the plane. Damnit, I don't know if I packed extra wipes," Sharon cursed to herself.
"Sharon, Stan is three. He needs to learn how to use a goddamn toilet like a big kid if you have any hopes of getting him into preschool this year," Randy pointed out.
Sharon glared his way. "Studies show"-
"I'm sick of waiting around for him to 'show us he's ready'. Shelley was two when she used the potty! I do not want my son to be a laughing stock by his peers once he starts preschool!"
At that moment three-year-old Stan had walked out of the bathroom, shirt wet from playing with a couple toys in shallow bathwater.
"Daddy! My fishie swims fast! He swims faster than my doggie," Stan proudly held up two plastic animal figures.
"Stanley, tell me the truth, do you like sitting around in your own crap?" Randy asked.
"Really Randy?" Sharon glared.
Stan looked confusedly at his father.
"Do you like when you feel your diaper wet after you pee? Or poop?"
Stan contemplated the question before shrugging. "No, but den Mommy gets me a new diapie."
"Why don't you let Daddy show you how to go potty in the toilet like a big boy? Okay?"
Randy spent the next twenty minutes showing his son how to properly use the toilet. Stan was able to successfully wee in the toilet, but ended up getting pee on the toilet seat as well as floor. Randy made a big deal of the mess he had made causing Stan to cry. Sharon cleaned her son up and gave him fresh clothes as well as a new diaper, telling her husband that such lessons could wait another day. Once the parents were sure they had everything packed how they wanted it, they set off to the airport. After their luggage was checked in and they had gone through security, they went about the gift shops around the terminals to buy some time before their plane was to board. Sharon bought Shelley a sticker book and Stan a toy airplane to entertain them on the flight. Stan enjoyed himself immensely as they waited, watching the airplanes outside the giant windows and zooming his own around in the air. Finally, it was time to board.
When they went to their seats Randy and Shelley took up a couple seats next to an older woman while Sharon took Stan with her a few rows back. Stan excitedly got to his feet to look out the small window outside.
"Why aren't we flyin' yet?"
"We will soon sweetie but we have to be fastened in our seats first."
"Mommy, are we gonna be in da clouds?"
"Yes sweetie, sit down so the lady can show you how to buckle your seatbelt," Sharon nodded to the stewardess who was currently demonstrating the usual safety measures.
Finally it was time for the plane to take off. Stan looked out the window even though he could barely see anything as the vehicle gained speed. He then cried out that he didn't like the rumbling and roaring the plane was making so Sharon held his hand as they leaned back and were soon speeding into the sky. When the plane was level in the sky Sharon encouraged her son to look out again. Stan gasped when he saw fluffy white clouds below. At that point Stan said he wanted to see Daddy. The teenage girl who was sitting next to them sighed as she got up to allow the mother and toddler out.
"So how was take-off?" Randy asked once his son made his way over.
"We was going so fast Daddy! It was loud. Now it's quiet. Shelley, did you see the clouds?" Stan pulled on his sister's sleeve.
"Stupid turd, I've been on a plane before. It's just stupid clouds," Shelley rolled her eyes.
Sharon and Stan took their seats again, only to get up ten minutes later because he expressed interest in using the bathroom with his dad. Randy returned with Stan in tow minutes later.
"Well? Did he go?" Sharon asked.
"No, he just sat there and said he didn't need to go anymore," Randy rolled his eyes.
"Still… at least he asked to use the potty. That's progress."
At this point the teenager girl who was sitting in the same row as Sharon and Stan offered to switch seats with them; she took the window seat so Sharon and her son could move in and out more freely. This meant Stan could no longer get as good a look outside but Sharon hoped he'd be tired enough for a nap soon and forget all about it. Thankfully after a snack of some dry cereal did Stan settle in for a nap. He only woke when there was just a half hour left in the trip. He happily scribbled on some paper until the plane landed. When they arrived at Santa Barbra Airport they spotted Sharon's sister Maggie, her husband Paul, and their two children.
"Maggie!" Sharon hurried over to give her younger sister a hug.
"Sharon! Thank goodness you're finally here!"
The next few minutes consisted of many hugs and hand-shakes between the adults and the children. Stan of course was hesitant around the others, hugging onto his mother's neck the whole time.
"Stanley sweetie, this is your Auntie Maggie. Do you remember her? She came by to celebrate Thanksgiving last year. Don't you remember?"
Stan shook his head no and turned his face away.
"He'll come around soon," Sharon passed off.
"Well let's go down to baggage claim and get everything and then grab some dinner," Sharon's brother-in-law, Paul, spoke.
Maggie and Paul ended up taking two cars to the airport so they didn't have to cram everyone and their things in one vehicle. Sharon ended up driving with her sister, Stan, and her niece, four-year-old Jules, in one car while Randy joined Paul with Shelley and five-year-old nephew Cole in the second car. The two cars met up again at a favorite restaurant of Maggie and Paul's called From Murphey's Kitchen. It was very family friendly and offered a great menu of good old-fashioned comfort food. At this point Stan was getting cranky and did not like the idea of sitting down again when he had been doing so all day. Even though the restaurant was family-friendly Sharon still could feel condescending eyes on her as her son cried at the table they were at. Randy thankfully offered to take him outside and off Sharon's hands for a short while. Once outside Randy allowed his son to run around on a patch of grass next to the entrance of the restaurant which calmed him down significantly. Fifteen minutes later they went back inside and Stan happily ate his chicken fingers as calmly as any three-year-old could.
When dinner was over Paul offered to take everyone for a special treat at another family favorite, Jojo's Creamery, for dessert. Maggie took Stan in her arms to see all the flavors so that her nephew would feel more comfortable around her again.
"What's your favorite flavor of ice cream sweetie?" she asked.
"Cookie one!" Stan pointed.
"Cookies N Cream or Cookie Dough?"
"Umm…Oreo one."
"Okay. Is that the one you want?"
Stan looked at the many flavors before him. He pointed again. "Dat one!"
Maggie frowned at the green one he pointed at. "That's pistachio. I'm not sure you would like that. Oh look at this one- peanut butter cup. Do you like Reece's Peanut Butter Cups Stanley?"
"Yeah. It's super good."
"Is that the one you want?"
Stan nodded, excited. Five minutes later he was sitting down with an ice cream cone to his face, where indeed much ended up. At long last it was time for the families to head to Maggie and Paul's for the night. The Decanter family lived in a cute but small three-bedroom home which definitely felt some strain when four others arrived to sleep that night. They thankfully did have a good-sized yard so all the little kids spent a good portion of the rest of the night outside playing. Stan loved the playground in the back and had a great time playing with his cousins who were closer in age to him than his sister, plus they were nicer, thus more fun to play with.
Soon enough it was time to get ready for bed. To save water, Maggie bathed Stan along with her own son, Cole. She also took over tooth-brushing and last minute bathroom duties before tucking them into bed. Thankfully Maggie took after many of the same techniques and routines as her sister did and after Stan had a good-night hug and kiss from his mother he was fine with his aunt taking over. She read three books to the boys before helping Stan into a sleeping bag of Cole's.
"Wanna light," Stan protested after Maggie got to her feet after kissing him good-night.
"Don't worry Stan, I have a nightlight," five-year-old Cole smiled.
Stan sighed in relief after the light went out and the room was basked in the glow from a moon-shaped nightlight. Not long after Shelley went to get ready for bed as well, although she was annoyed that she had to share a room with four-year-old cousin Jules, however it was either that or share a bedroom with Stan while Cole and Jules shared a bedroom for the night. Shelley of course did not want to sleep anywhere near her stupid brother so she opted for the first choice. Once all four kids were in bed Maggie helped unroll the fold-out bed from the couch for Sharon and Randy.
"I hope this is okay for the night," Maggie spoke.
"This is fine, trust me. We'll be staying at a very nice hotel for the next two nights anyway," Sharon passed off. Sharon and Randy would be joining her brother and his wife for a two-day wine-tasting tour while they were out here.
"I wish I could go with you guys," Maggie sighed as she went about fixing a pot of tea.
"Well why don't you join us? Surely you and Paul can find a good deal at the same hotel we're staying at," Randy offered.
"No no, we have to stay here. Someone needs to look after the twins after all," Maggie rolled her eyes, speaking of their brother's infant twins.
"Right. Twin babies and your own kids? Maggie, I am so sorry," Sharon placed a hand on her sister's hand.
"It's okay, the older two will be at a baby-sitters those two days. I don't think I'd be able to handle all four at once."
"Just dump them off at your folks'," Randy shrugged as he got out three mugs for their tea.
"Mom and Dad really want the weekend with just our two, they hardly get to see them," Sharon stressed.
"It's just for two days. If we really do get desperate, Mom said we can stop by," Maggie said.
"Well why does your brother get a break and not you?" Randy frowned at his sister-in-law.
"He and Kathryn just had twins a few months ago. Plus it's been years since I did anything with my own brother," Sharon answered.
The adults chatted for a little while more before they felt it was time to hit the hay, all of them exhausted from the busy day they had had. The next morning was a little chaotic as everyone gathered in and around the small kitchen for breakfast. Stan was halfway through with his Frosted Flakes when he noticed his sister sit down with a slice of bagel and cream cheese for her breakfast. He cried for his own bagel too so Sharon promised him he could have a few bites if he finished his cereal. Once he did she gave him half of her own slice which he happily ate. The real chaos began by ten when Sharon's older brother, Jeff, and his wife Kathryn, arrived with their twin infants to drop off. After some hurried hellos and goodbyes the Marshes hoped into Jeff's van so they could drop Stan and Shelley off at their grandparents.
"Where we going now Mommy?" Stan asked on the drive there.
"To Grandma and Grandpa's house," Sharon answered.
Stan frowned, confused. "Gamma lives in da blue house. G'ampa inda bown house."
"Not Grandma and Grandpa Marsh kiddo, Mommy's parents. And mine," Uncle Jeff spoke as he drove.
Stan still looked confused.
"Don't you remember when Grandma Ellen and Grandpa Peter came down around Christmas last year sweetie?" Sharon asked, sitting next to her son. "They bought you your rocking horse and your giant stuffed lion. Remember?"
"Why are we goin' dere?"
"Because they want to see you and Shelley. They have a lot of fun things they want to do with you for the next two days. Aren't you excited?"
"You coming too Mommy?"
"No sweetie. Remember? Daddy and I are going on a little trip with Uncle Jeff and Auntie Kathryn."
"No Mommy?" At this, Stan began to cry. He cried for the next five minutes before they reached the Kimble grandparents.
When they reached the home Shelley happily ran into her grandparents' awaiting arms.
"Oh dear, that's not the hello I was looking for," Sharon's father sighed, seeing the crying toddler in his daughter's arms.
Sharon handed Stan over to Randy while she greeted her parents. Stan had his face buried in his father's arm and hunched his shoulders when he felt a hand on his back.
"Stanley? Sweetheart? Can Grandma see your face?" Grandma Ellen asked.
Stan turned a tear-stained face to the older woman.
"How are you doing today bud?" Grandpa Peter asked.
Stan sniffed as Randy helped wipe the tears and snot from his face.
"Remember us? Remember all the fun we had over Christmas last year? Remember when you showed us where your favorite spot to go sledding is in South Park?" Grandma Ellen asked.
Stan sniffed again and nodded. "It's at the park. Dere's a big hill dere."
Randy set his son down so he could get more accustomed to his grandparents again.
"Is it okay if Grammy hugs you?" Grandma Ellen asked with a smile.
Stan stuck a thumb in his mouth and nodded. She reached down and put him in her arms and gave him a big wet kiss on the cheek. Grandpa Peter then went over to hug the boy next. While Stan was in his grandfather's arms he spotted a blur of white fur streak past.
"Kitty! A kitty!" he cried, excited.
"Oh yes, we have a kitty. His name is Chalk. Want to say 'hi'?" Grandpa Peter set the boy down and led him over to the stairs where the white cat currently was sitting by. Stan gently stroked the cat on his head and he bumped his face against his knuckles. "Wow, look at that bud! That means he likes you!"
Stan laughed and spent the next ten minutes chasing after the animal, which thankfully didn't seem to mind one bit.
Sharon was currently going over everything she could in concerns for her children for the next two days with her mother.
"Do not give into Shelley whining about wanting more TV time. She's also going through this phase where she refuses to eat Mexican food. Don't ask why, she loved tacos and such a month ago. Stanley generally takes a nap around three. He's usually very good about it and goes down without much struggle. Also, we recently found out he's allergic to coconut, just like Shelley, so be very mindful of anything with coconut in it more so than ever. And, um, well…" Sharon handed over a backpack that held various toddler items, some that included diapers.
"Oh Sharon…" Grandma Ellen sighed when she spotted the size 4 Pampers in the bag.
"It's not as if he doesn't want to use the potty Mom, he's just having troubles," Sharon explained, pink in the cheeks.
"But the last time you tried you said things seemed to be going well. He seemed really excited about his Pull-ups and stayed dry for almost a week."
"I know, but then he wet the bed and Randy got angry and well, he's back to diapers."
"Sharon dear, if he's going to be going to preschool in a couple months you have to"-
"We are working on it, trust me. In a way it just seems as if Stanley likes the convenience of… going in his pants. But we are working on it Mom. We're close, trust me."
Twenty minutes later it was time for Sharon, Randy, Uncle Jeff, and Aunt Kathryn to head out on their wine tour trip. Of course Stan did not take the idea of his parents leaving lightly and began to cry again an no amount of hugs, kisses, or kind words was enough to calm him. Stan stood outside the front door as he watched his parents, uncle, and aunt back out of the driveway and leave the scene. He sniveled, breath uneven, clutching lovey Ruffy. Finally Shelley walked up to him and slapped him across the face.
"Dummy! Calm down, they're going to come back in two days," she snarled.
Finally their grandparents called them back in, telling them they had special presents for them upstairs. At the word 'presents', Stan hurriedly wiped his face and ran after his sister and grandparents up the stairs. They went into one of the guests bedrooms that the two would be sleeping in for the next two nights. On the bed were two wrapped gifts, one for each child. Shelley had unwrapped a Make-Your-Own Candle Kit and Stan had gotten a remote control police car. The four of them spent time playing in the yard before Grandpa Peter announced they would be making a special trip to Kimble Star Shoe Store, the shoe company the grandparents ran. Both kids were excited about this and were soon off for the twenty minute ride to the store front.
"Are we gonna work at your store?" Stan asked as he climbed out of his booster seat in the car when they arrived.
"Yes, you're going to be Grammy and my big helpers," Grandpa Peter smiled.
"Can we pick out a pair of shoes for ourselves?" Shelley asked.
"Of course you can. You can pick out whatever you'd like," Grandma Ellen answered.
The store's employees were a little surprised to see the owners pop in that afternoon, but were happy to see the company they had brought. The other grandchildren visited the store fairly regularly but the two from Colorado did not. Thankfully, since this was a children's shoe store, Stan and Shelley could run around without getting annoyed looks from customers. Shelley and Stan had fun trying on many pairs of shoes as well as playing in the back break room with empty shoes boxes. Once they picked out a pair of shoes for themselves, the left with their grandparents for the next activity for the day. There was a special outdoor Fun in the Park event being held at the big park in town. It was a special event that again, Grandma Ellen and Grandpa Peter had taken their other grandkids to but not Shelley and Stan. There were food trucks set up as well as arts and crafts, free outdoor concert, and games and contests a plenty. Grandma Ellen hoped the four of them would have a fun time; it would be close to 1:00 P.M. when they arrived and if Stan's usual naptime as at three, well, she hoped he could last those two hours without getting cranky.
The first agenda on everyone's mind was food once they parked.
"There are ten food vendors set up. What do you kids feel like eating?" Grandpa Peter asked.
"I want a burger," Shelley answered.
"Nooo! I don't want one," Stan protested as he hung onto the airplane toy of his he had brought with him.
"There are a lot of places to choose from. How 'bout I take Shelley to get a burger and you take Stanley somewhere?" Grandpa Peter suggested to his wife. She nodded and took hold of Stan's hand to search for something to eat. "Say Shelley, want to try the best cheeseburger around?"
Shelley nodded, excited.
"Have you ever tried In-N-Out? No? Well it's a big thing here in California. You don't have any out there in Colorado from what I can recall. Let's get you in for your first taste shall we?"
While Shelley and Grandpa Peter enjoyed burgers from In-N-Out, Stan ate a grilled cheese sandwich from a vendor called Tony's Sub Stand (Grandma Ellen ate a club sandwich herself). As soon as the four met up again Stan exclaimed in excitement when he saw a ride-on train roll by.
"A twain! Can I go on it? Pleeeeaaassee?" he begged.
"Sure thing sweetheart. Let's stand in line so we can get on the next ride, okay?" Grandma Ellen smiled.
"I don't want to ride a stupid train! I wanna listen to the music!" Shelley pointed out a distance away where a large stage was set up on another field.
"Well we can do that too. But the ride to the train is right there so let's get that out of the way first, okay Shelley?"
"I don't want to ride it though. Trains are for babies," Shelley crossed her arms.
Grandma Ellen and Grandpa Peter shared a look.
"Well Shelley dear the train is too small for your grandmother or I to ride it, I think it would be a good thing if you were there to keep your brother company," Grandpa Peter tried.
"That's not true! There were some grown-ups on it just now," Shelley protested.
True, there were, but the few teenagers and adults on it looked pretty uncomfortable in the small seats. Squeezing into them at their age would be a bad idea.
"Let's see what your brother wants to do," Grandma Ellen spoke before bending down to the little boy. "Stanley, do you want someone to sit with you on the train ride?"
Stan nodded vigorously. "I want Gwampa"- he pointed up.
Grandpa Peter chuckled and ruffled the boy's hair. "Sorry son but I don't think Grandpa can fit in there, not with these old bones."
Stan turned to his sister and smiled. "Shelley, let's ride the twain!"
"No turd."
"We- we can see all sortsa stuff," Stan continued as if his sister hadn't spoken. "Like castles, and the zoo, and dinosaurs, and Mommy and Daddy…"
Unfortunately for Shelley she was forced to ride the stupid train with her stupid brother. She groaned as their grandmother got out her camera and began snapping away as soon as they got on, Stan waving happily at her. The train went around a designated path about half of the park's overall perimeter. Shelley rolled her eyes every time Stan exclaimed in excitement about something.
"Look Shelley! Look at dat tree! It's so big. Oh wow! Look- a pond! Do you think dere's ducks dere?" Stan asked, pointing ahead.
"I don't know turd, shut up already!"
Stan suddenly cried out in a higher tone than before. "Shelley! A budderfly! I think I saw a budderfly! We gotta stop the twain!"
Shelley then grabbed Stan by the front of his shirt and pulled him to her face. "If you don't shut it right now I'm gonna make you shut it. Got it stupid turd?"
"But- the budderfly"-
Shelley slapped his face and of course he started to cry. Thankfully the ride was over two minutes later.
"Oh what happened now?" Grandma Ellen sighed as she noticed her grandson in tears. All Stan had to do was point to Shelley as he climbed out the train.
"Shelley, can you please try to go an afternoon without hitting your little brother?" Grandpa Peter scolded, hands on his hips.
"It's not my fault, he wouldn't stop talking," Shelley shrugged.
At this point there was an announcement that one of the bands for the day was due to begin their set in ten minutes. At this Shelley got excited.
"Let's go! I want a good seat," Shelley pulled on her grandfather's sleeve.
"We'll be there soon dear but let's get you kids a balloon first? How does that sound?" Grandma Ellen smiled.
Stan lifted his head as he wiped the last of his tears. "Banloon?"
"I don't want a stupid balloon, I just wanna listen to the music," Shelley whined.
"Your brother wants one. I think I should get him one so that he's entertained for a little while…"
At this Shelley balled her hands into fists and began glaring at the direction of her grandmother. Thankfully Grandpa Peter sensed where this was going and carefully put a hand on the girl's shoulder.
"We'll meet you and Stanley later, okay?" he nodded to his wife, who nodded back. "C'mon Shelley honey, let's find a good spot to sit at for the music, okay?"
Shelley nodded, although still looked a little angry.
"Do you want to grab a special treat first? Something that only you get and Stanley won't?"
Shelley's eyes lit up and she smiled, pointing to a vendor nearby. "I want a snow-cone!"
The older man smiled and bought her a cherry-flavored icy treat. "I'm sorry there Shelley, I'm sure having a little brother can be a pain at times…"
Shelley frowned as they slowly walked to the concert area. "He bugs me so much. He's so stupid and annoying. He always gets his way, even with Mommy and Daddy."
Grandpa Peter looked slightly troubled as he listened to his granddaughter speak. "Is that so?"
Shelley nodded as she took a bite of her treat. "No matter where we are Mommy and Daddy always say 'well your bother wants this' or 'your brother wants that'. He always gets his way 'cause he's little. And 'cause- um, never mind…" she looked to her shoes now.
"Because what? Tell me honey, I won't tell Mommy or Daddy if you don't want me to."
Shelley huffed and glared again. "'Cause he's a boy."
"Shelley… now that's not true. I know for a fact your mother was so happy when she found out she was having a baby girl when you came around. She told me herself," Grandpa Peter smiled, kneeling down now to her height.
"Daddy told me the same kind of thing after Mommy had Stan. I dunno…" Shelley shrugged.
Grandpa Peter sighed and squeezed the little girl's shoulder. "Unfortunately your little brother is at that 'annoying stage' right now," he said in air quotes. Shelley laughed. "Any kid from the age of zero to around five is a pain. There are a lot of tears and boogers and mess. Trust me, I had three kids of my own. Your mother was especially loud when it came to cryin' and whatnot. Don't tell her I said that," he added again as Shelley laughed again. "But I'm sure once Stan starts going to preschool you won't see him all the time. He'll start to make friends with other kids and won't need to be around you as often. So until then, try to be a good sport and try to be a good big sister to him, okay? Even if you have to fake it."
Shelley sighed but nodded. "Okay Grandpa. I'll try."
Shelley did indeed try as hard as she could to not beat up Stan the rest of the time spent at the park although it was hard. He was jealous of her snow-cone after he saw her finishing off the last couple bites and complained the music from the outdoor concert was too loud but also whined when he said he couldn't see anything on the stage. Grandma Ellen finally sensed how cranky he was and went to the car to set him down in the back seat so he could get a little nap. He awoke forty-five minutes later and was happy again and eager to play. Grandma Ellen took him back to the park where he played for twenty minutes on the kiddie playground before it was finally time to leave. Once back home, Grandpa Peter took Stan outside to play with him in the large sandbox in the yard while Shelley helped out their grandmother in the kitchen with dinner.
"Wow girls, this looks wonderful," Grandpa Peter smiled as he took a seat at the dinner table.
"I stirred everything together. All in a big pan on the stove!" Shelley pointed out at the mac and cheese dish.
Stan dug in hungrily, a big smile on his face. "Wow! This is so yummy. Thank-you Gamma and Shelley."
Shelley's eyes went wide for a second before she coughed and shook her head. "Um, sure thing turd."
"It's like the best mac n' cheese ever. I'm gonna marry it," Stan continued, eating as if he hadn't had anything all day.
Grandma Ellen and Grandpa Peter laughed; even Shelley smirked for a second before growling. As annoying as her stupid brother was he did say some cute things now and again. Stupid turd! After dinner was dessert- homemade brownies. Once dinner was over the grandparents set up a couple puzzles for the kids as a calming activity before it was time to get ready for bed. Both kids bathed and brushed their teeth before cuddling up with their grandparents downstairs while they went to tell them a story about their mother as a child.
"Was Mommy mad she spoiled her own birthday party?" Shelley asked, smiling up at her grandparents.
Grandpa Peter chuckled. "She said she wasn't but she didn't hide it well. The one thing she said she wanted- an American Girl doll, she wanted to be a surprise! Well let that be a lesson to you two, never go into your parents' closet, especially if it's closed. Got that?" he waved an amused finger to the children who both laughed.
"Oh my! It's already 9:30, time to get you two to bed," Grandma Ellen exclaimed after looking at the grandfather clock a few feet away.
Stan had difficulty falling asleep that night. Yes he trusted his grandparents but he wasn't used to their house yet. It was a lot bigger than any other house he'd been in before and it was simply so quiet. Back home he could count on the sounds of his mommy, daddy, or sister walking and shuffling around outside his bedroom door if he were trying to sleep. The only sound he could really hear was that of the big ol' grandfather clock ticking away downstairs. He didn't put up a fuss when his grandma bathed him and helped him brush his teeth but the actual bedtime process was something he wasn't familiar with.
"Okay sweetheart, I really think it's time for bed now," Grandma Ellen spoke tiredly, getting to her feet after having read two books to her grandson now.
"No! No leave yet," Stan protested.
"Don't worry honey; you won't be left alone tonight. Big sissy is going to be sleeping with you the entire time, okay?" the grandmother smiled.
Shelley, who was already in the full-sized bed the two were sharing, rolled her eyes. "Does he have to sleep with me?"
"Shelley, your brother is scared. Please try to be there for him tonight, okay?"
"I don't wanna sleep with him! He's gonna wet the bed!"
Grandma Ellen sighed. "Hopefully that doesn't happen. He is still in diapers. Still… Stanley sweetheart, do you want to try and go to the potty one last time before bed?"
Stan shook his head 'no' as he clutched Ruffy.
"If you wet the bed I'm gonna cream your face!" Shelley threated, waving a fist in his face.
"Shelley," Grandma Ellen scolded. "Stanley, just remember, if you do feel the need to go pee or poop, try to hold it in and come get Grandpa or me, okay? Remember which door leads to Grandpa and me?" the older woman asked, pointing out the door.
"The two big ones at the end of the hall," Stan answered.
Grandma Ellen nodded and kissed his forehead. "Yes sweetheart. Now, you get yourself nice and comfortable in bed and I will see you both in the morning, okay?"
Stan crawled over his sister to the side of the bed against the wall, that way there wasn't a chance he'd roll out of bed in his sleep. Grandma Ellen kissed Shelley and Stan one more time before shutting off the light (a nightlight was now emitting from the wall) and closing the door half-way. Shelley immediately turned so her back was facing her brother.
The room was silent for a couple minutes. Stan then looked at his sister.
"Shelley?"
"Ugghhh, what turd?" Shelley groaned as she turned around on her back.
"Do you miss Mommy and Daddy?"
"No, now shut-up so I can sleep."
"I miss them," Stan answered his own question. "I wonder if they miss us?"
"Shut-up!"
"Are we gonna see them tomorrow?"
"No, now shut it already!" Shelley bit back.
"Sorry. I don't know if I can sleep. I don't know this room. What if I has a bad dweam?" Stan frowned, looking up at the shadows on the celling, moving his feet about under the covers.
Shelley rolled her eyes before finally looking at him. "If you have a bad dream… you can wake me up, okay turd?"
Stan smiled. "I can?"
"But only for that reason. If you poop your pants that's your problem. You big baby. Now let me sleep!"
Stan nodded and went to snuggle up against his big sister but she pushed him away. All in all he slept well and there were no bad dreams or bathroom accidents for Shelley to fret over, although the first thing Stan noticed when he woke was a wet diaper so he hurriedly woke his grandmother up to tell her.
"I don't understand why he's still in diapers, he obviously is aware every time he wets himself," Grandpa Peter grumbled, rubbing tired eyes.
"Sharon has her reasons. Although I think she needs to get serious about it soon. Okay, okay sweetheart, I'm coming…" Grandma Ellen yawned as Stan pulled on her hand out the room. After she cleaned him up she looked him in the eye. "Stanley sweetie, the next time you think you need to pee, tell Grandma before you do it. Okay?"
Stan nodded, not paying much attention as he drove his airplane around in the air.
"You know when that is, right? When you start to feel pressure right here- right below your tummy. I'm sure Mommy and Daddy will be really happy if I told them you were about to use the potty while you were here. Okay?"
Stan nodded again, staring at his airplane now. "Can I have some cereal Gamma? Please?"
"I'll start breakfast, yes. But let Grandma make some coffee first, it's only 7:30 in the morning okay?"
Stan thankfully was able to entertain himself by playing with the cat Chalk while his grandmother went about the kitchen getting breakfast ready. It was a little after eight when the food was ready and Shelley and Grandpa Peter came downstairs.
"I want you two to eat up now. We have a fun day planned and it probably will be a little while until we can have lunch," Grandma Ellen spoke as she dished out pancakes to everyone.
"Where we going?" Stan asked around his milk.
"The beach, huh Grandma? Huh?" Shelley smiled.
"Yes. It's somewhere Grandpa and I go often with your cousins. The beach is a favorite in this family so we're really happy we get to take you and Stanley there."
"What's…the beach?" Stan raised a brow.
"It's a fun place where you get to swim and play in the sand. It's a really big place with a lot of people, all having some fun in the sun. Are you excited?" Grandpa Peter asked the boy.
Stan nodded. "I like to swim!"
Once breakfast was over the grandparents surprised the kids with a set of brand-new beach and swim gear including bathing suits, towels, beach toys, goggles, and flip-flops. Shelley's gear had a seahorse theme, Stan's was sharks. The grandparents went about packing up an ice chest as well as other essential kid items before they were off. They drove for twenty minutes before pulling into a parking lot of a beach called Florence Beach. Stan looked around in amazement when he stepped out of his grandparents' car.
"What's dat?" he pointed ahead to the tall trees with funny leaves lining all around the area.
"Those are palm trees. We have a lot of them here in Southern California. Ha, I almost forget you don't really see them in Colorado," Grandpa Peter informed the boy.
"Wow… it's so big. Can I climb one?"
"No can do kiddo. But come on over here so I can put sunscreen over you okay?"
Stan impatiently bounced around while his grandfather lathered sunscreen all over his body and happily led him over to the sand. Grandma Ellen followed behind with Shelley as well as a blanket and umbrella under her arms. Grandpa Peter went back to the car and returned with the ice chest and chairs. Finally everything was set up for the four of them to enjoy the day.
"Okay kids, now before we do anything I want to go over a few rules," Grandma Ellen began.
Shelley and Stan groaned and rolled their eyes.
"Since there are a lot of people around I want you two to promise me that you won't wander off. If you can't see Grandpa or me and we can't see you that means you are too far away. If you want to go somewhere or do something tell us first. Same goes with anytime you want a snack or a nap. And make sure you tell us if you need to use the potty. Okay Stan?" the grandmother raised an eyebrow at her grandson now.
"'Kay. Can I go swimmin' now?"
Grandma Ellen took hold of his hand and together they made their way to the water. As they got closer to the shore Stan stopped, a curious look on his face. Grandma Ellen noticed that they boy had stopped walking so she turned around, smile on her face.
"It's okay Stanley. It's just sand and water. It actually feels really nice, go ahead." She had her camera out now, ready to capture the moment her grandson stepped onto the wet sand for the very first time.
Stan took a hesitate step, then another. And another. The wet sand felt really squishy under his feet, he wiggled his toes in it before hurrying to the water as it lazily lapped at his ankles. He squealed in delight and began hopping about.
"How does it feel sweetie?"
"Good! I like it a lot Gamma!"
Grandma Ellen snapped away at her camera as she took both pictures and video of Stan enjoying his first beach experience. "Stanley, look over here- good…good." She looked back at the previous pictures on her device. "Oh this one turned out so well, the sun really brought out your eyes. Your mommy will love it."
Now that he had experienced the waves for the first time Stan spent the next hour at the shore. He happily ran around in the wet sand, he tried to outrun the waves when they washed around his legs, and he enjoyed the feeling of the sand between his toes. After both Grandma Ellen and Grandpa Peter spent some time with him on the water they retreated back to their rest stop where Shelley currently was. Stan then ran on over.
"Are you ready for a snack break yet sweetie?" Grandma Ellen asked.
"I just want my bucket," Stan said and grabbed his brand-new red bucket and ran back to the shore. He waded into the water where it quickly went near his waist as the next set of waves rolled in. Stan dunked his bucket in the water and dumped it over his head, shivering in delight as the cool water washed over him. He then took up a seat near the edge with his bucket and began digging it into the sand. At that moment a great wave come in and washed over him, knocking him face-first into the sand. He crawled away blindly, crying as he couldn't see with the sand in his face now. Thankfully Grandma Ellen came around to help him out. She too him to the bathroom where she cleaned up his face and he successfully was able to use the toilet as well. She sat him down in one of the folding chairs on the big beach blanket after.
"Poor thing, you have to be extra careful with the water next time, okay? It's very unpredictable so always be on the lookout for the water," Grandma Ellen explained as she took out some snacks from the cooler.
Stan nodded, rubbing his nose. "It's not like the pool. The water all stays the same place there."
Grandma Ellen passed along a baggie. "Do you like grapes Stanley?"
Stan nodded, smiling now as he was passed along some green grapes, crackers, and a cold bottle of water. Once he had fueled back up Stan went after his grandfather as he went to show the boy how to make a sandcastle. While Stan had a good time watching his grandpa load up buckets of sand and water to make a castle, the thing Stan really wanted to do was explore on his own. He couldn't help it, whenever he was in a new environment he wanted to check it out and now at the beach- a really big area with all kinds of people and things to see, feel, and smell, he had to investigate it all. But his grandparents warned him to stay put and not wander off if they couldn't see him. Of course this was a problem to Explorer Stan but he knew if he was sneaky enough he'd be able to go off on his own. It happened all the time back home. He was still small enough he could walk off and do his own thing while his parents stood around and talked and did boring adult things.
For the next ten minutes Stan casually packed sand into his bucket, inching his way away from his grandparents' eyes to fetch more sand. Before he stepped away completely he gave his grandmother a wave to which she waved back, just so she could have one last look at him before he went off. Thankfully at that moment a family of eight or so people walked right in front of him, all of them chattering away loudly, one of the ladies rolling out a large blanket in front of him. This was his chance- he ducked out and away and out of sight. He looked behind him to see his grandparents in the distance. Smiling now, Stan hitched up his swim trunks and bucket and went off to explore. For a little while he happily chased small waves that washed over the shore, packing some of the wet sand in his bucket and dumping it out again. He also found a pretty seashell in the sand. He gasped and placed it in his bucket for safekeeping. He then found a small twig in the sand. He picked that up as well, waving it around.
"Esplorer Stan is on da hunt for the pirate tweasure!" He waved it around again. "He already found one thing. A magic shell worth fifty gabillion of dollars. Wow! Here's anofer tweasure. A rock worth twenty-five zillions of dollars!" he smiled, picked up a rock and adding it to his bucket. He walked around for the next fifteen minutes, adding little 'treasures' into his bucket as he went. He then heard laughter ahead. He looked around to see a family not too far ahead where a couple kids around his age were playing with a ball. It was big and blue with yellow stars. He wanted to play with it too. He cautiously stepped close, looking back and forth as the two kids played with the ball. Finally the girl who was two or so years older than him looked his way.
"Hey, wanna play?" she asked.
Stan smiled back. "Can I?"
The girl nodded before running to her mother. "Mommy, this boy wants to play with Benny and me. Can he?"
The mother, sitting in a shaded folding chair, looked up from her book. "Yes, of course. Wait, are your parents around little boy?"
Stan pointed in the direction of his grandparents even if he couldn't see them now. "My gramma and grampa are dere."
The woman nodded. "Okay, as long as they know where you are."
Stan was soon joining in a fun game with the girl, Ava, and the boy, Benny. The three of them squealed in delight as they kicked, threw, and chased after the ball. The ball then got away and Stan went off to get it. When he stood back up with it in his hands his heart skipped a beat at the ugly face of Shelley staring back.
"What are you doing you stupid turd?" she asked.
"Um, I was just playin' with these other kids…"
Shelley glared their way then back at her brother. "Fine. Grandma made me look for you to see what you're doing."
"Shelley, wanna play wif us?" Stan nodded to the other brother and sister feet away.
Shelley glared. "No, I don't want to play any of your stupid baby games. I'm going to play with Maple here away from you," Shelley pointed to the shore, a plastic horse toy in hand before marching off.
Stan hurried over to the other girl and boy, the ball in his hands. Little Benny was smiling now.
"Hey Stan, my mommy has cookies. Want one?" the other three-year-old held up a cookie covered in chocolate.
Stan smiled and went over to his new friend's mother.
"Did you grandparents say it's okay for a snack?" the mother asked as she dug into her ice chest.
"Yeah. 'Peshaly if it's cookies," Stan hopped around.
The mother handed over a couple cookies as well as a juice box. Stan thanked her and took a drink before taking a bite of the cookie, not bothering to look at what kind it was. He took another bite before frowning as he felt his fingers feel itchy as well as his face. He carefully set the cookie aside and took a drink of the juice, hoping that would help. But in little time he found it a little difficult to breathe.
"Are you okay honey?" the mother asked, taking notice.
"I… I feel itchy…"
He coughed and tears formed in his eyes for he only felt worse with easy passing second. Suddenly he sank into the sand, crying as he scratched at his face with his hands.
"I don't like it… itchy," he cried.
The mother gasped and got to her feet, trying to locate this kid's supposed grandparents. At that moment her daughter, Ava, came by.
"I think he has a sister. I think she's down there"- she pointed out to the shore before the girl went over to look for Shelley.
At that moment Shelley was happily making her favorite horse gallop in the sand. She instinctively balled her fist up when she felt a tap on her shoulder.
"What do you want?" she snarled at the little girl that tapped her.
"Are you Stan's sister?"
"Why?"
"Sorry. But I think your brother is sick or something."
Shelley groaned but got to her feet. She really didn't want to have to help out her stupid brother at all today! Whatever was wrong he was probably faking it. But she knew she would be in trouble if she didn't at least look to see what the problem was. She walked over to this family to see Stan on his back, tears streaming down his face as he coughed and scratched at his face.
Shelley rolled her eyes. "What's your problem stupid turd?"
"C-can't breaf. Help me Shelley. Please…"
"What's wrong with him?" the mother panicked.
Shelley shrugged. "I dunno…" only then did she notice the chocolate smeared on his hands and mouth. She frowned now. "What did he just eat?"
"Just some cookies I brought. He told me he was allowed!"
"What kind of cookies?"
"Chocolate-covered macaroons."
"Show me!" Shelley demanded.
The woman showed the little girl cookies that were covered in chocolate and topped with suspicious flakes of…something familiar.
"Does that have coconut in it?" the woman nodded. "Damn! He's allergic to coconut! We both are!"
By this time more people had gathered around, including, thankfully, Grandma Ellen and Grandpa Peter.
"Shelley? Stanley! Baby! What happened?" Grandma Ellen got to her knees at the struggling toddler. Shelley told her that Stan accidently ate coconut and was having an allergic reaction. A man announced he was going to run to tell a lifeguard. A couple minutes later a young man ran over to see what the problem was before calling for an ambulance.
"It hurts," Stan cried as Shelley knelt down next to his head.
"Shh, you'll be okay turd. Here, let me wipe this stuff off you…" Shelley grabbed a nearby towel and wiped at her brother's hands and mouth. A minute later she winced when she noticed her hand had begun to turn pink with rash too. But she didn't want to worry her grandparents about it, nor her brother, so she said nothing. She just sat there holding his hand. Thankfully two paramedics arrived on scene five minutes later and began to check Stan over.
"He- he didn't tell me he was allergic to coconut. I didn't know," the mother sniffed, hand over her chest in worry.
"Don't worry Miss, he's only three. I doubt he even remembers he has a problem," Grandpa Peter said heavily.
Stan was currently in his grandmother's arms as the paramedic looked him over while talking into a radio of some sort.
"Do you know if your grandson was prescribed an Epipen?" the paramedic looked over to the grandparents.
"I- I don't know. Sharon never said…" Grandma Ellen looked up worriedly at her husband.
Grandpa Peter shook his head. "I doubt it, she would have told us and given it to us if Stanley had one."
The paramedic, named John, nodded and turned to Stan. "Hey there Stan, I'm going to give you a little something to help you feel better and not so itchy. Okay?"
Stan clutched his grandmother's chest as he was stabbed in the thigh with something. But a minute later he began to feel better. He stayed in his grandmother's arms for the next several minutes with a face mask over his nose and mouth, being able to breathe better with each passing minute.
"Hey there Stan, are you feeling any better?" the paramedic asked the child.
Stan nodded slowly. The man checked him over again before getting to his feet as Grandma Ellen did so, passing Stan along to his grandfather now.
"He looks to be doing better Mrs. Kimble. However if he does appear to have any complications tonight please don't hesitate to call for an ambulance, or take him to your local Emergency Room."
"Of course, thank-you."
"You're welcome. And of course make sure you contact his parents and see if they might consider getting him an Epipen. They really do help save lives for those with allergies," John the paramedic continued.
Grandma Ellen nodded again. "I'll see what my daughter says. Thank-you again."
The young mother that gave Stan the cookie came forward looking troubled. "I really am sorry about what happened to your grandson. I never would have given him anything if I knew he was allergic."
Grandpa Peter grinned slightly. "Well Stanley here does like to wander off and do his own thing. He loves cookies and well, if he sees one he's going to eat it no matter what. We don't blame you."
Not long after the grandparents felt it best to pack up everything into the car, their time at the beach over. However they did want to take the kids into the town along the shore to a favorite ice cream shop they took their other grandchildren to often. Stan happily sat down in the small shop next to Shelley, a cup of chocolate ice cream in front of him. He frowned when he spotted his sister scratching at her hands.
"Somefing wrong Shelley?" Stan asked.
Shelley glared, making a fist as if to hit him but refrained. "It's nothing…"
"You're itching your hands like I was," the three-year-old pointed out.
Shelley didn't say anything as she slowly at her cup of strawberry ice cream.
"Did you get coconut on yourself too?"
"It's nothing turd."
"But if you're itchy it must feel bad. I'll tell Gamma and Gampa."
Shelley glared at him again. "It's just a small reaction from helping you out. Turd. I'll be fine."
Stan blinked big blue eyes at her. "Oh. Well, thanks for doing that. For getting the coconut off my face and hands. I think it helped."
Shelley's lips pulled into a small smile back. "Sure thing turd. But don't worry; I'll just put some cream on my hands. I know Grandma has some."
Stan took a messy bite from his dessert. "Do you think Mommy and Daddy's gonna be mad at me? For walking off today? And getting sick?"
Shelley was back at giving her brother as well as her ice cream a hard look. "No. They'll just be happy you're okay. If anything they're gonna be mad at me 'cause I'm always supposed to be watching you. Yet you still wandered off."
Stan tapped his feet together as he sat on the stool in the shop, thinking hard. "What if I tell them it's not your fault? That I went off myself?"
Shelley shrugged as she still rubbed her hands together. "If you want to go ahead. 'Cause it isn't my fault you never listen stupid little turd."
Stan nodded, smiling now. "I'll tell Mommy and Daddy the troof. They won't be mad."
Shelley didn't say anything back as she went back to her dessert. Whatever happened happened. Sometimes their parents would punish Stan if he did something, sometimes they ignored it. After their ice cream Grandma Ellen and Grandpa Peter took the kids to a souvenir shop to get a few things before finally driving off home. Stan fell asleep as soon as the car pulled out of the parking lot. Sharon and Randy arrived at her parents' house that evening.
"We tried getting here as soon as we could, we wanted to get back to the kids," Sharon spoke as Stan ran to her, arms out.
Grandma Ellen was frowning. "Is your brother not coming in to say 'hi'?"
"No, he and Kathryn wanted to get all their kids together and have a normal family dinner tonight."
"Hmm, well good timing I suppose. We weren't sure what we should do about dinner and I know the kids are hungry," Grandma Ellen remarked.
"So? How was wine country?" Grandpa Peter smiled.
Randy sighed sadly. "Let's just say… I wish we could have stayed longer. It was a nice slice of life if we didn't have kids."
Sharon glared at her husband as she greeted their children. The family decided to go out for dinner to a favorite family-friendly Italian restaurant in town. During dinner everyone played catch-up on what happened the past couple days. Stan went on and on about how fun the beach was.
"We had ice cream! But first we was in the waves. The sand was really wet and squishy. It felt nice on my feet. I saw big funny trees. Gampa said they was pam trees. Oh! There was big birds too. I saw one try to eat someone's sammich," Stan spoke with enthusiasm as he tore apart the garlic bread on his plate.
"It sounds like you had a really fun day sweetie. Grandma sent me lots of pictures," Sharon smiled.
Randy turned to the grandparents now. "So all went well? They didn't bug you or anything?"
Grandma Ellen and Grandpa Peter shared nervous looks for a second.
"Things went well enough," Grandpa Peter coughed.
Stan was looking around now at all the adults and Shelley. He then frowned. "It's not Shelley's fault what happened Mommy and Daddy," he suddenly blurted out.
"What?" Sharon and Randy looked startled.
"It's not her fault. I went off on my own. It's my fault."
"What on earth are you talking about sweetheart?" Sharon was looking to her parents now as her son spoke.
"Stanley, baby, we can talk about this when we get home, okay?" Grandma Ellen tried.
"No! I gots to tell 'em now. Shelley dinnit do nofing. I went off on my own 'cause I needed to find treasure. Then I played with a ball. Then Benny's mommy gave me the cookie and I ate it. But it made me itchy. Shelley was only tryin' to help! She helped me feel better. Then the doctor man gave me a shot in my leg. Then we had ice cream. Mine was chocolate," Stan finished, matter-of-factly.
Shelley groaned as their parents looked her way.
Sharon tried calming herself down as she rubbed her eyes. "Mom, Dad, Shelley…. What on earth is Stan talking about? Please tell me what the hell happened at the beach. Please."
The grandparents ended up explaining how Stan accidently ate a cookie that had coconut, causing an allergic reaction in which the paramedics had to be called on site. But thankfully he felt better after being given epinephrine. Sharon and Randy were angry that Stan had slipped passed everyone's eye and gotten into something so dangerous.
"Shelley, you know your little brother is your responsibility if the adults are busy. You are grounded missy. No TV for the rest of our trip," Sharon waved a finger at her daughter now.
Shelley was glaring now. "Figures! The stupid turd goes off on his own and I'm the one in trouble."
Stan began sniveling now. "I went on my own Mommy. Shelley dinnit do nofing. Don't punish her…"
"Stanley, something else could have"- Randy started but Stan cut across him.
"She made me feel better when I got itchy. She even got itchy too. But- but she made me feel better," Stan mumbled, looking down.
Finally after a little more back-and-forth from everyone at the table did Sharon and Randy decide to let it go. Both their son and daughter were okay after coming into contact with something they were allergic to, that's all that mattered. That night the Marsh family stayed at the Kimble house and this time Shelley didn't seem quite as annoyed at the thought of sharing a bed with her brother. Grandma Ellen took over tucking in like she had the past night.
"Remember Stanley, if you have to go potty tell Shelley, or Mommy, Daddy, Grandpa, or myself, okay?"
Stan nodded, clutching the stuffed sea turtle he had gotten from the beach that day.
"I'm sure you both are exhausted, it's been a long day. Get some sleep okay? We're going to meet up with all your cousins and Uncle Jeff and Aunt Maggie again for breakfast tomorrow. That will be fun, won't it? Goodnight you two."
After she had left Stan let out a sigh and went to snuggle under the covers some more. A couple minutes passed.
"Stan?" Shelley suddenly spoke.
"Huh?"
Shelley sighed. "Thanks. For earlier. For standing up to me and making sure Mom and Dad didn't ground me."
"I told you I would."
"I didn't even do much. You act like I saved your life," Shelley frowned, looking a little uncomfortable.
Stan was looking at his stuffed turtle now. "But you did. And I'm happy you did," he said simply.
Shelley was about to reply back but sighed and turned to her side. Really, all she had done was calm him down and wipe his face of the chocolaty coconut mess that was on it. But to a three-year-old she supposed it must have felt like a lot more. Especially if most of the time she did torment him. In Stan's innocent mind her staying by his side made her worthy enough to be a hero, at least for today. And he would make sure she didn't get in trouble for it! Her stupid brother simply was like that. He always gave people chances and always felt that there was some good in a person. Even her. Could she really get angry at him for that? Of course she didn't want him to get too used to the idea.
I'll bop him on the head first thing in the morning, Shelley smiled to herself, glancing to her left where Stan was currently curled up with his turtle, asleep with a smile on his face.
Good news! I am not dead! But unfortunately I still cannot go to the library to use my laptop for internet. I'm using my aunt's internet atm to post this. I am also working often so that doesn't leave as much time as I'd like to write. But I still am doing it and glad I can finally post something again. I really hope you enjoyed this little story. Writing Stan when he's younger is always fun. I do have a couple other stories I wrote, was wondering if anyone would be interested. One is the aftermath of Fun with Veal, the other when Stan gets braces, age 12ish. Ya'll know I like weird detailed medical/dental stuff so wrote them for myself, but if anyone else wants to read them I will post them. Anyway… I am almost done with chapter 3 of The Lives and Lies of Fielding Creek. If I'm lucky I can post that within a couple weeks. I really hope everyone is staying safe out there and making smart choices. Thanks so much.
Lots of love: Rose, June 15th 2020