When Stephanie came outside she saw Tex helping an older woman into a wheelchair. Alfredo, Tinker, and Thomas were already waiting a little ways from the porch ready to greet her. Stephanie ran up to join them at Thomas's side.
"Is that Mama?" She whispered to Thomas. He nodded.
Tex wheeled the woman known as Mama over. She had brown hair that was thin and frizzy. Her skin was wrinkled and she had a little box on her throat. A voice box maybe Stephanie thought. One of her uncle's coworkers had one though she didn't remember why.
"How are my boys?" The woman asked holding down button on her voice box. He voice was rough and carried a faint static when coming through the speaker.
"We've missed you Mama," Tinker replied reaching down to give her a hug. Alfredo was next to hug his mother almost jumping with joy like a little kid would.
"Thomas what brings you all the way out here? Is Luda Mae alright?" she asked. Thomas nodded. "Well come on down here an' give your Auntie a hug!" Thomas bent down and hugged her, she seemed quite happy to be home.
"Mama, this here is Stephanie, she's been staying with us," Tex said pointing to Stephanie. That's when Mama's demeanor changed from happy and warm to stern and cold.
"What do you mean 'staying with us'?"
"Well she lives with us now. She actually used to live with Luda Mae and them but came out here with Tommy."
"Girl," Mama snapped at Stephanie who had an awkward smile on her face. "Why have you been living with my kin? You up to something?"
"No ma'am. I got in trouble when my car broke down and Luda Mae offered me to stay with them. I ended up staying there up until recently when Thomas and I had to leave to come out here."
"And why did you have to leave?"
Stephanie looked at Thomas and the boys to ask if she should tell the woman why. Did she know what her sister was doing? Would she blame Stephanie for letting the girl get away? She couldn't could she, after all Stephanie had nothing to do with that.
"One of the girls got away. Mama didn't want to risk anything happening to Thomas and I and sent us out here until she knew it was safe,"Stephanie told her.
"So you left her out there by herself? What if someone came to take her away or if a mob tried to kill her? What would you do then girl?"
"Uncle Monty is still out there and Mama said our safety was more important even when I tried to-"
"You should brought her with you, instead you just ran away like a coward. What are you still doing out here with my family? Shouldn't you have run away by now? You don't look like a hunter?" Mama asked peering at Stephanie with a glare.
"W-well I'm-"
"Speak up girl I can't hear you."
"I'm not a hunter. I'm- I'm actually Thomas's girlfriend, that's why I've stayed." Stephanie laced her fingers with Thomas's more for her own comfort than anything. Mama was nothing like how the boys made her sound.
"Thomas finally got himself a girl!" Mama said sounding genuinely happy. "Though I do wish she was less of a coward and dressed more conservatively. I know it's hot out but have some decency."
On the one hand Stephanie was glad that Mama was so loving towards Thomas but on the other hand she didn't like how she was being treated. Sure had Stephanie made mistakes through this whole thing? Yes. But she always did her best and never did anything to hurt the family.
Everyone went inside to wait for lunch. Stephanie and Tinker prepared lunch while Mama, Alfredo, Tex, and Thomas all talked in the living room.
"Tinker be honest with me, have I done something wrong?" Stephanie asked as she was peeling some potatoes.
"No why would you that?"
"Well your mother seems to think so. She was just going at me earlier, why would she do that to me unless she thought I did something wrong."
"She's just like that. Won't let people in so easy. Makes people prove themselves to her you know?" Tinker put a small roast in the oven. "Don't let it get to you lady bug."
"Easy for you to say when you aren't the one being singled out." Tinker chuckled and nodded.
Lunch was a simple vegetable stew with potatoes, carrots, celery, and some onions. Meat would've taken too long to cook.
"Tinker this stew is wonderful, your cooking abilities have only improved in my absence. You did a good job with the keeping the potatoes the same size so they all cook evenly."
"Thank you Mama, but Stephanie was actually in charge of the potatoes," Tinker said trying to help Stephanie get in good graces with his mother. Stephanie perked up and gave a small smile hoping to help her cause.
"Hmph, they could've been a little smaller. I don't need to choke on my first day home." At that Stephanie's smile fell.
Lunch went on with Mama, or Ma as Stephanie started to mentally call her. Ma would be so sweet to her kin but anytime Stephanie said something or she was brought up in conversation Ma would become cold and honestly a bit rude. Dinner played out exactly the same which lead Stephanie to eat fast and turn in early.
Stepping out of the shower Stephanie saw Thomas coming into their room. She gave him a little 'hello' and walked over to the bed. She sat on the bed and was so focused she didn't realize that Thomas had stopped in front of her until he gave her shoulder a little tap. She looked up and saw he was looking down at her with worry.
"Is something wrong Thomas?" Stephanie asked.
He pointed to her and then to his face which was now frowning. Then he pointed back to her as if to say 'why are you frowning'.
"I'm sorry, I didn't realize I was making such an upset face. It's just your aunt doesn't seem to like me very much is all. I don't know why she hates me so much, I didn't mean to mess everything up." Stephanie sighed and looked down at her hands in her lap. "I don't need her to love me but I do want her to at least like me, even just a little. She's your family and I just wish she didn't hate me so much."
Thomas, who had now moved to sitting next to Stephanie on the bed, took her hand in his and made her look at him. He smiled at her, placed a small kiss on her forehead and then turned her around so he could braid her hair for her.
"Thomas you don't have to braid my hair, I can do it if you want," she said looking over her shoulder at him. He shook his head and motioned for her to turn her head back around.
"It's been a long time since anyone has braided my hair like this," she mused. "The last time anyone braided my hair for me I was probably 7 years old." Stephanie chuckled. "My mom used to braid me and my sisters' hair for us before we went to bed every night. As we got older though we didn't have the time. Mom worked late and us girls were often too busy off doing our own things to even be bothered that we no longer had those little moments in the evening. I didn't realize how much I missed that until now."
When Thomas had finished Stephanie went to look at his handiwork in the mirror. It was impeccable, all the plaits were clean and even, none were too loose or too tight. She ran her fingers over the braid lightly in awe of how perfect it looked.
"Where and when did you learn to braid?" she asked. Thomas paused for a moment before going out into the hall. When he came back he had a photo in his hand which he gave to Stephanie.
The photo showed a man, a woman, one girl, and three boys. The man was a stranger to Stephanie but the woman looked a lot like Ma and the boys looked a lot like Alfredo, Tex, and Tinker.
"Is this your aunt and cousins?" Thomas nodded.
"Who is the man and little girl? Was that your uncle and another cousin?" Thomas nodded again.
"Thomas, did you cousin teach you to braid?" Once more Thomas nodded. "Where is she now?" Stephanie asked.
Thomas shook his head and pointed out the window to the woods on the property. Stephanie was confused for a moment but then figured out what he was trying to say.
"I'm very sorry she passed away Thomas, I'm sure you miss her. She was very lucky to have a wonderful cousin like you. Do you want to talk about it.
When Thomas shook his head Stephanie just nodded. She walked back over to the bed and crawled under the covers. Thomas soon followed after changing into his sleepwear and the two soon drifted off to sleep.